Cleaning & Butchering Squirrel | The Ultimate Guide

🔥 No posh kitchens here. It's all about embracing the rugged, primal connection to your food. Watch as I take you from the butchery to the fire, showing you how to make a real, hearty cuts of meat good eating using basic tools and timeless techniques.
🌲 Strap in, outdoor warriors! Today, we're ditching the frills and diving deep into the real, raw world of bushcraft cooking. Join me as I break down the gritty art of cleaning and butchering a squirrel, setting the stage for an off-the-grid, open-fire feast that'll have you licking your fingers! 🔥🔪
In this no-nonsense guide, I'm not about glossy setups or fancy gear. We're talking about practical skills - the kind honed by those who thrive in the great outdoors. Whether you're a seasoned woodsman, a backcountry hunter, or just someone who likes their meals served with a side of adventure, this is your kind of tutorial.
🔪 Get down and dirty with:
Down-home cleaning and butchering methods for prime cuts
Tips and tricks for transforming that squirrel into a backwoods delicacy over an open flame
🌿 Smash that like button if you're ready to get your hands dirty, and hit subscribe for more unfiltered, backcountry cooking wisdom. Don't miss out on my next wild escapade - ring that notification bell!
🔗 Stay dialed in with me on social media for in-the-moment updates, gritty snapshots, and maybe a little trail wisdom:
Instagram: @AntSurviveTheNight
Tiktok: @AntSurviveTheNight
Get ready to channel your inner backwoods chef, because we're about to whip up a feast that's as authentic as it gets. Let's make some unforgettable memories off the beaten path! 🏞️🔥 #BushcraftCooking #OpenFireFeast #SquirrelButchering #BackcountryCuisine #wildernessskills
If you would like to help the channel out by helping me purchase new kit such as another budget tent to take it to the breaking point and give another full and honest review on please consider "Buying Me A Coffee" by clicking on the link below. Thanks so much!
www.buymeacoffee.com/campingant9

[@ExpeditionaryJonny]

I enjoyed this. One of these days, I plan to catch & cook a squirrel when my wife isn't around to make a fuss when I do it so I really appreciate you putting this together. Thanks for bringing us along!

[@AntSurviveTheNight]

Hi Jonny, thanks matey and glad it may help you in the future pal. It's a very worthwhile skill to learn that's for sure. Big thanks for your support and for watching and commenting bud, Ant

[@MCMOutdoors]

Good stuff mate - informative and instructional too. I'd probably bottle it and have a pot noodle instead 😂 nice one pal. ATB

[@AntSurviveTheNight]

Thank you Chris mate, glad you liked it! Haha pop noodles are the fruits of the forest aren't they? Lol. Thanks matey

[@ryanjamesthewolf260]

As someone whos focusing more on this chapter of bushcraft and survival skills this is great to see your journey and share this with my kin as id like them to understand and respect food to plate more

[@AntSurviveTheNight]

Hello Ryan, thank you sir. I'm chuffed you enjoyed it. Yes, please, by all means share this video with whoever you think would enjoy it. I agree, I respect anyone who feds for themselves and wants to provide for their family mate, thank you ones again pal

[@RickTOutdoorAdventure1969]

Cracking edit n footage Ant of a belting night int woods practicing skills 🙂👍. Voice-over was mint Ant. Very natural and i think it worked well 🙂👍. Cheers fella, atb Rick n Billydog

[@AntSurviveTheNight]

Oh cheers Rick mate, very kind pal. Yes, I was very excited afterwards, to me a good while to chill, it was a cracking afternoon and night wasn't it bud. Yeah I'm really trying my best with the narrating now, I enjoy doing it. Big thanks as always pal

[@tedwiley8215]

Sure, I'd give it a go 😀 I hunted & trapped small game as a teenager. You did a better job dressing that squirrel than I ever did 😂 Very well done & great instructional video. Keep it up 👍🍻

[@AntSurviveTheNight]

Hi Ted, ahh nice one mate. Yeah over in the States you guys are still doing what as been done for 1000's of years and I'd say the best at it. It was a very interesting experience this and I'm sure I will carry it on. Thanks mate, that means alot coming from a hunter. I'd appreciate it if you would share this video with your friends/fellow hunters/butcherers or anyone you might know that may enjoy this type of video. I'm really trying to crack the U.S. and Canada with my content and your help would be much appreciated Ted. Thanks pal

[@EventyrsorenDenmark]

This was interesting to watch. Thanks. 😊😊😊

[@AntSurviveTheNight]

Ahh cheers matey, glad you found it of interest, I truly appreciate it

[@rialobran]

Poor Billy, standing in frame while you talked about butchery. I thought you'd gone full feral for a second and he was for the chop... I've eaten most things including squirrel but never skinned one. Used to make sure the bladder was empty before doing rabbits. Brilliant narration.

[@AntSurviveTheNight]

Hello Si, haha aww Billy is my dog from another family, we couldn't eat him! Yeah not a bad taste, if your only had the chance to eat squirrel and nothing else I wouldn't be too fussed although I'd miss my curries lol. Ahh cheers matey, I'm really trying hard to get them sounding as natural and as me as possible, it's not easy to master haha. Thanks pal

[@alanarmer8069]

Great video Ant,good skill to have 👍👍🦌🦌👍👍

[@AntSurviveTheNight]

Thanks very much Alan, yeah definitely matey 👍

[@LundysWildcampBushcraft]

Cracking video Ant i love a bit of game stew pigeon is really nice aswell good job mate atvb Jimmy 😎😎👍👍

[@AntSurviveTheNight]

Hi Jimmy mate, how have you been pal? Thank you very much buddy. I'll have yo try wood pigeon when I get the chance. Again pal, thank you!

[@benny_mc]

Great work Ant👍 Top video

[@AntSurviveTheNight]

Ahh cheers Benny mate, hope your well sir

[@andy5351]

Very Informative Ant. Thanks mate. The old adage is everything tastes like chicken. However I doubt a squirrel 🐿️ does lol 😂👍

[@AntSurviveTheNight]

Thank you Phil mate, glad you enjoyed it pal. Haha it definitely looked like chicken haha! Do you fancy meeting up next Saturday pal, the 27th for a brew and a bacon butty in the woods?

[@Phil.Oakley]

Loving it! I've always wanted to try squirrel. This has definitely shown me how to do it. I'd definitely give it a go, but under supervision! I've had goat and rabbit. Also buffalo, crocodile and kangaroo burgers at the food festival but they all tasted the same.. 😂

[@AntSurviveTheNight]

Great! Glad it's helped you out Phil. It's very much the same texture as chicken but didn't taste the same, it's got it's own flavour mate. I'd like to try Buffalo, I'd expect it to taste like steak!

[@schonbeardwildmark]

Fantastic video Ant! This was really interesting. I don’t have much experience in butchering so this was very educational. Thinking about getting a license so hopefully my skills will improve.

[@AntSurviveTheNight]

Thanks very much Anders mate, I'm well chuffed you saw it as educational as apposed to the people out there who just don't get it. Me either mate, I wanted to learn the beginning of time begain skill so did some research on it and now I'm happy I did, you never jnow when or where you might need it eh. Yes mate, give it a go!

[@andylittlebritain7680]

Good video Ant. A friend of ours in Scotland told us that kids can choose to do stuff like bushcraft and butchery in The Highlands. A skill that's being lost and unfortunately a lot of the younger generation just don't know where half their food stuff comes from or is processed.

[@AntSurviveTheNight]

Thanks pal, yeah it's a real shame they don't have places you can learn this skill and many others in each town. Trouble is you'd always have someone trying to charge you through the teeth to learn it. It should still be accessible I reckon mate

[@martinoutdoors6941]

Fair play Ant I was a lot younger when I had a go done a couple of pigeons, had a go at a rabbit under supervision got it wrong and it stank which turned my stomach 😂. They say squirrel is the hardest to skin..👍👍 Bushcraft done some good vids on game prep if you’ve not seen them, easy to follow. But it looked to me you done a nice clean job mate.

[@AntSurviveTheNight]

Thank you Martin. Yeah you just gotta be careful where you cut, one slight wrong cut and your in to all the not so nice bits. If you are to try again just take your time pal. Squirrel wasn't too bad as you have the long tail to use to pull the skin down so it wasn't too bad. Ahh right yeah I'll have a look, thanks buddy!

[@jimbryan2271]

Fair play Ant that looked tasty mate, never tried I’d certainly give it a go. Love a rabbit stew.

[@AntSurviveTheNight]

Thank you Jim, yeah it was good mate. Yes, you could definitely stew it pal. Probably would be nicer as you can just let it do its thing.

[@paulwildcamper]

Good work Ant 👍🏻 A great skill to have and not easy to do first time for everyone. I remember being shown this (and doing it) on a course in the Forces many many moons ago, on that occasion we were advised to remove the musk glands from under the front leg 'armpits' on the males at they are pretty rancid and can spoil the meat. And yep, when cooked, pretty much tasted like nutty chicken..! 😄 All the best, Paul 🙏🏻

[@AntSurviveTheNight]

Oh great tip there Paul, thanks mate. I've not heard of that, I will watch for it next time pal. It precisely that, poison the meat with a stench and taste and nothing and nobody will want to eat you! Haha nutty chicken that's it 😄. Thanks matey for having a watch

[@joehusband8479]

Very interesting and informative video that Ant. Handy skills to have in your repertoire. If it tastes like chicken, I’m in😂 I’ve been watching a lot of the channel 4 survival series “Alone”. They catch and butcher loads of Squirrels on that. Nice one mate 👍

[@AntSurviveTheNight]

Thank you Joe, I'm made up you enjoyed it and thought it informative. That's what I was hoping people would say. Definitely mate, you never know when you may need a skill like this as you say, the guys and gal's on Alone have learnt the same skills and our ancestors would have been all over it I'd hope. Again Joe, thank you pal I appreciate that

[@chrisbell4633]

I'd love to try it. - Send ma one please. yum. yum.

[@AntSurviveTheNight]

Uber Eats is on its way Chris 😆

[@TheDavewatts]

Best to pull from the top of the neck downwards in my experience, get yourself a good pair of game shears, definitely a handy tool to have, that and a cold steel Canadian belt knife cheap as chips and an excellent skinner.👍🏻 If you cut down towards the leg a bit more and make a bigger flap its then easier to put your heel on and just hold the back legs and pull. Great first go.👍🏻

[@AntSurviveTheNight]

Hi Dave, thanks buddy, some top tips there matey. I'll certainly give that a try when I next give skinning a go. I'll also have a looking into that knife too mate. Thanks again Dave

[@TheDavewatts]

@@AntSurviveTheNight No probs mucca, there smashing knives for food prep, stainless too which is better as you can use them around salt water too without to much worry. I have seen people batoning with them which I find idiotic, they're certainly not made for that task, the right tool for the right job.👍🏻 In regards from pulling from the neck down in a comment I made last night, it was in regards to when your gutting them.👍🏻

[@AntSurviveTheNight]

@TheDavewatts OK that makes sense Dave. Should like a decent meat processing knife. Good for sea fishing then. Thanks again pal

[@mickp3526]

I sometimes wonder wether anyone has today butchers a hen that’s laying and seen the production of the egg in a hens gut. My dad showed me and I showed my kids. When I’ve told people how it works they think I’m joking. But then. Im a country boy.

[@AntSurviveTheNight]

Oh now you got me thinking hoe it works 😆

[@jamessinclair4439]

Great video as usual. Was taught to catch and kill whole range of animals in the military years ago we were showed to make first cut like you did but stand on the tail and pull up to peel the skin of might be a technic to try next time Keep up the great videos pal

[@AntSurviveTheNight]

Hi James, thank mate. Good stuff mate and thank you for your service 👍. It's a great Survival skill to learn, you never know when you might need it. Yeah may well be an easier way yo do it than how I did it. I'll try it next time pal. Thank you for watching man.

[@RichardT2112]

I honestly thought this was a National Lampoons Christmas Vacation joke! Interesting to be honest! Cheers! PS Any issues with fleas? Here in Canada most squirrels are honesty covered in them.

[@AntSurviveTheNight]

Lol thanks Richard. Glad you found it of interest pal. I would sat so, definitely on some I'd put money on it but this one seemed fine mate.

[@chrishomer]

Brilliant mate. Very well done. Going to watch this again with my lads.

[@AntSurviveTheNight]

Thanks very much Chris, I'm glad it's been interesting to you pal. Oh good stuff, Charlie wouldn't entertain it, just won't watch this sort of video. I get it though, each to their own. I hope the lads enjoy it buddy.

[@marksadventures3889]

I have a bunny in the freezer. Rick gets about. I just saw him wi Phil up the Lakes. Eating grey squirrel is good for our wildlife.

[@AntSurviveTheNight]

I love Rabbit, only had it once and mean to have it again soon. I'll agree with that Mark. The population is through the roof! Thanks pal for the support, I know this video isn't for everyone

[@acnud]

Good knowledge and skill to have 👍

[@AntSurviveTheNight]

Thanks very much Duncan 👍, it's definitely a life skill I'd say mate.

[@tarmacdemon]

nice to see you out and about again Ant . By ek that's a big chopper lad

[@AntSurviveTheNight]

Thanks Tarmac, I'm out most weekends pal, I've got a cracking wife who's very supportive of my outdoor lifestyle buddy. Haha yeah 🤣

[@Conny79]

i see them do this to rabbits on Bolton markets. Very informative vid for those that may want to try. Great vid as usual :)

[@AntSurviveTheNight]

Yeah it's certainly an art is butchery Leon isn't it. Thank you pal, it's what it's intended to be and also for my reference should I choose to do it again. As always, thanks matey

[@kennethwilson8633]

Looked delicious I think it’s more like rabbit…Have fun stay safe.

[@AntSurviveTheNight]

Thank you Kenneth! Yeah it cooked up well mate. I've only had rabbit once and I fried that too, yeah come to think of it it does taste like that!

[@petersmith6974]

Geez. As someone who has slaughtered and butchered many many cattle,pigs,chickens and turkeys in my life. I find the squirrel looking a bit stiff like it’s been dead a while?

[@AntSurviveTheNight]

Hello Peter. They were killed the day before buddy 👍

[@petersmith6974]

@@AntSurviveTheNight 👍🏻 ahh ok. That’s why. It’s easier to do bodies when they are fresh and warm. Squirrel and dumplings are a favourite in the south USA.

[@AntSurviveTheNight]

@petersmith6974 yeah definitely Peter. Ahh right sounds nice, is that a stew? How you making the dumplings mate? Any other recommendations on the recipes? Also Peter if you enjoyed this video could you possibly share it with your friends or anyone who might be interested in it. I'm trying to get more U.S. and Canadians involved in the channel. I'd appreciate it pal.

[@matthewmarsicano5301]

Usually don't see anyone actually go through the entire process because of the whining on the tubes of you

[@AntSurviveTheNight]

Hello Matthew, yeah there's not too many videos on it probably for that reason. I got it in the neck today off someone on Instagram who wasn't very keen but as I say, just skip it and wait for the next wild camping video if it's not your cup of tea. I hope you enjoyed it pal.