Steve Makes the Team: Kentucky Small Game | S6E09 | MeatEater

Kevin Murphy and his band of Kentucky small game hunters introduce Steve to the finest Kentucky has to offer. Gray squirrels with tree hounds and cottontails with beagles, in Kentucky, it’s the dogs that do the hunting. Cathead biscuits, sawmill gravy, and fried small game round out the Kentucky adventure.
Check out our new audiobook, MeatEater's Campfire Stories: Close Calls, here: bit.ly/2TJBOYB
#meateater #fueledbynature
----------------
Shop our Merch Store: store.themeateater.com
Follow us:
Web: www.themeateater.com
Instagram: / meateater
Facebook: / stevenrinellameateater
Twitter: / meateatertv

[@scootsmctoots8862]

The small game episodes are really the best part of the series. Its more accessible for new hunters and shows that you don't have to go west and spend grands to hunt.

[@jonnygranville281]

I love to see those dogs working. It's freaking awesome

[@samharris9559]

Idaho non-res elk tags are almost $700 this year, makes you really appreciate whatever opportunities you have to hunt at home.

[@bluesteel8376]

Buying and training a dog is not exactly what I would call accessible.

[@benjaminrigg762]

No

[@thewendigo5992]

Go hunt in the south. You can hunt deer and hogs for under 1k

[@benjaminlewiscpt]

I love how Steve always partakes in others traditions and never scoffs at the small hunts. It’s just good fun to hunt small game!

[@chriss1151]

I would say it could be better than a big game hunt. Easier on you to pack out, clean and cook! Of course 1 big game hunt will fill that freezer and hold you over.

[@slugoo6474]

For me I prefer small game cause I can just go out after school and quickly get on some doves or squirrel. I could do the same with deer but I don’t have time to haul it out and clean it and then wake up at 6:30 the next morning for class.

[@RichardCranium321]

if you watch, he gets a kick out of bagging small game while on his larger hunts. he even keeps a collapsible air rifle or 22 in his pack

[@812FoodReview]

Much much less downtime with small game. Always on your toes and, typically, constant action. Add some Buddies in the mix, it's hard not to enjoy yourself!!

[@812FoodReview]

@@RichardCranium321 sure does. I've noticed that myself, but he also mentions it a few times throughout the years!!

[@Ciridan]

Kevin Murphy is an American treasure. My absolute favorite MeatEater guest of all time

[@hoosier09R]

This single episode contains 90% of what hunting has looked like for me as a hunter in southern Indiana. My fondest hunting memories are either squirrel hunting or rabbit hunting. Now I am making those memories with my children. Thanks for sharing this.

[@zacharyvieck8607]

My family is from Vincennes. Exactly how we hunt

[@kurhof0]

Southern Indiana is Kentucky....

[@twillison8824]

@@zacharyvieck8607 mine is from just east of Brazil. Grandpa used to take me "bear" hunting, but we always seemed to only get squirrels and rabbits.

[@justinwatson3469]

@@kurhof0 no southern Indiana is…..southern…Indiana?

[@mr.smitty1993]

@@justinwatson3469 As a fellow Southern Indiana resident, I can assure you that once you get about 30 miles south of Indianapolis, you may as well be in Kentucky.

[@Danzilly]

Enjoy when Steve ends the show with a meal. From the animals they harvest!

[@Jefestephens]

Love it.

[@ryanchristofferson6633]

Nothing like a good dog.

[@rwilson208]

As a young boy, I remember my granddaddy going hunting before we were up. As we were waking up, he would come out of the woods and I would run into the fields to see what he had killed. His hunting coat pockets would be filled with rabbit or squirrels and sometimes both. I would love to watch him clean them. Then grandma would fry them in an old cast iron skillet on an old wood stove, using coal and wood for the fire. She would make gravy and biscuits. Then she would go to the garden and get tomatoes to slice and then go to the chicken coop and collect eggs. She cooked for 7 of us. I do not know what we would have done after daddy died if not for our grandparents. This video brought back some wonderful childhood memories. I wish that I could have kept his lifestyle alive, but raised in the city with no menfolk to teach a person, life takes a turn to labor and making a living. Then before you know it time has passed and it is too late. That is why I watch Steve. I get to enjoy adventures of hunting trips through his senses. Thanks for these videos.

[@mattb9407]

This life is an amazing goal

[@slugoo6474]

So you are completely unable to hunt?

[@mohunter68]

Amen Brother Amen. My hunting days are past my prime and people just don't hunt like they used to and many of my kinfolk have passed on or gotten rid of their beagles, so watching videos like this really take me back to when times were good and we were thankful for what we had.

[@kylekhaos9941]

squirrel woods is where hunters are made

[@gabbledabbler1553]

Kevin Murphy is an absolute legend!

[@jeffreyconway5024]

He’s not joking with that squirrel skinning method. And it may take the novice 3 min vs. his 1 min. It’s clean and easy. I couldn’t believe it the first time I attempted it.

[@mofomoco]

The beagles looked like minions running chasing after the rabbits

[@arancourt5623]

Kevin Murphy has always been one of my favorite guests on meateater podcast, one of the most intelligent well spoken individuals you can find.

[@brianmincher716]

Good stuff. I brought squirrel to law school for lunch and caused quite the stir.

[@dustinfehr3466]

squirrel soup, squirrel stew, squirrel sandwich, fried squirell. I had at a game dinner and I actually really liked it. I wasnt a fan of rabbit tho.

[@georgesakellaropoulos8162]

@@dustinfehr3466 Wow. Someone really messed the rabbit up if you didn't like it. I hope you give it another chance.

[@dustinfehr3466]

@@georgesakellaropoulos8162 yeah it was over cooked and dry. Dont forget these are just gun range volunteers cooking. Maybe ill try again.

[@chrisdarby1725]

This episode has always been one of my favorites

[@kyflkyfamilylivin8247]

My kids where and still being taught here in ky on 500 acres we kill 20+ deer, 4-5 limits with 5 of us dove hunting 3 times a year squirrel hunt Aug 15th till deer season grow our own corn carrots and eat what we kill and grow even my 4 year old yells for 3rds on some good ol goose or deer steaks.. good job brother

[@bigKANG420]

This show was what peaked my interest in hunting at 29. I will continue to hunt and so will my kids.

[@TheIndustryGiant]

Shortly after earning my hunter safety certificate over 40 years ago, my grandfather handed me an even older Lee Enfield single shot 22 and said, "Go shoot some squirrels." At the time I had a sheltie that hated squirrels with a passion. So I sat in a chair in the yard, and waited for her to tree a squirrel. I would then walk up and shoot the squirrel while the gunshy sheltie took off like a bat out of hell. Seeing this episode brought back some amazing memories.

[@dennisarnold460]

AWESOME. !!!!

[@donaldfarr8162]

That was absolutely fantastic. Took me back to when I was younger and chasing squirrels and rabbits. Loved it.

[@dustincarner7427]

Hunting traditions in the Southern States like Kentucky are deep and established. God bless it.

[@brookshartley1338]

I’ve hunter with rabbit dogs my whole life and I can personally say that this was the best rabbit hunt you can have.

[@jonnygranville281]

God I love dogs so much. They love to work and help.

[@jonnygranville281]

Those beagles are freaking awesome.

[@Mvrk_63]

Certainly steve taught me lessons which my father didn’t. Steve’s cameraman deserves much appreciation as well for his job well done!

[@andystampfli9127]

Squirrel stew over drop biscuits. Best fake potpie ever! Rabbit hunting is my favorite for sure.

[@GeauxRussGeaux]

I squirrel hunted once or twice as a child, didn’t get into hunting as an adult until I was almost 30 years old. My 11 year old son has already gotten the bug and as our deer season closed yesterday, with just 2 tags left (I only the pulled the trigger on one deer in the last 2 seasons, at this point I’m just a driver and lookout 😎). Two weeks from yesterday my son and I are going on out first squirrel hunt as father and son as we both learn to be squirrel hunters, together, and for the rest of our lives. Thank you for what you do Steve, and everyone you feature in your episodes. It truly is a treasured tradition and lifestyle that I hope my son enjoys with his grandchildren long after I’m gone.

[@twillison8824]

Hello Kentucky neighbors from SE Illinois.

[@mohunter68]

I know that this an old video but this is how we used to hunt rabbit with beagle hounds. Kevin Murphy is spot on with his knowledge of hunting with dogs. His biscuit recipe is just like momma used to make them, self rising flour and buttermilk. Mmmmmm Good!!

[@TexasJungle]

Life is best outside while eating wild!

[@chriss1151]

Yes it is!

[@bradberry8349]

This episode brings me back to my younger yrs of hunting small game with my father and my grandfather! Thank you Steve for many great hunting videos!!!

[@edgerat]

Watch him Bobby-Django watch eeem now! Kevin, Nation's Greatest Small-Game hunter

[@rickkerans8485]

What an amazing group of dogs. They probably make it a much better hunt. Awesome video. That dinner sure looked good.

[@scottleggejr]

old dude trades dog food for free range, non-GMO, good times in the field.

[@ronwilson3414]

Finally a well made small game video!! This is by far my favorite one of your videos!!! There just nothing better than chasing bunnies and squirrels!!! God bless the small gamers!!!

[@Jbowling6]

Born and raised in KY people focus on the deer and Turkey and forget we have some killer small game hunting all across the state

[@anthonykline6126]

Kevin Murphy is awesome

[@goggy28]

Nothing better than a happy beagle.

[@thomasbrown8713]

This episode got my son wanting to get out and hunt!! Top 3 episode for me.

[@chriss1151]

Yeah buddy! Take a friend of his along too! We need more young hunters. :)

[@TheTengoku]

What are your other 2?

[@thomasbrown8713]

@@TheTengoku the one where Steve goes Bear hunting in Montana and talks about his adventures across them. Felt like you were sitting there with him. The other is his Alaska hunting. Diversity of the meal.

[@TheTengoku]

@@thomasbrown8713 Just watched both. Great insights from Steve! I can see why these episodes are a favorite. Thank you!

[@jchris3841]

Does it get much better than that? Man that looked like a lot of fun. And the table fare looked just as good, if not better. I love the fact you just don’t deer hunt. You do it all. And I think the majority of hunters like all types of game to hunt.

[@crowman5936]

Steve's right squirrel is some of the best eating meat there is. Been hunting them in Northern California for 40 years and look forward every year for the season.

[@milanf6926]

Those boys running the old school Bean boots. Legends!

[@soulsnatcher6525]

This the greatest Meateater ever! The real truth about hunting. The average Joe like myself can’t afford the expensive hunts. This is true hunting! Right Here!

[@SamP0rterBridges]

Those dogs sleeping after the hunt was adorable. A good sleep after a hard day's work.

[@shawnwillis7561]

I raised rabbits for a few months and the meals I made from them were the best ive ever had.

[@bradklein3519]

I am wanting to try and go about doing the same thing. My last name is the word for Mountaintop Rabbits. I would love to be able to serve wild game or "Farm Raised Rabbits" from a food truck haha

[@JohnSmith-kw6io]

@@bradklein3519 Your last name is Yiddish

[@bradklein3519]

@@JohnSmith-kw6io what does that mean Mr. Smith?

[@aloberdorf4579]

Eating what you reap brings to the table the essence and reward of Freedom, and fewer people realize it than ever before. Keep your Powder Dry....and your skillets hot.

[@SomebodysNephew]

There used to be a man at my church who had squirrel dogs like this. He used to let me borrow them to go squirrel hunting. They sure do make it easier.

[@lando2519]

one of my favorite episodes from a biased Kentuckian

[@c.j.8423]

The small game hunting episodes are always my favourites, as much as I enjoy what goes into hunting large game the often fast pace of small game is so much more fun.

[@jonathanwhite6881]

Being from Kentucky, this episode always makes it's way into the Fall playlist (a few times). My 8 yr old isn't sure about deer hunting yet, but he looks forward to squirrel season every year. He loves this episode of Meateater.

[@jonathanwhite6881]

We are headed out in the morning for the Kentucky Squirrel-Fall Opener! Wish us luck!

[@jonathanwhite6881]

We got 6.😄

[@danpats1]

I love that people like this still exist.

[@dog_gun_rod4378]

This really relates too hunting in ireland... Dog work on small game... It really brings you back too basics for the average working man.. Brilliant

[@skeetermalcolm1655]

That has to be my two favorite hunting,love fried with homemade gravy

[@bankayhoodlum]

Up here in the NE, I still hunt them with anything from airgun and 22 Shorts or LR to handloaded 308 subsonics and 45 Cowboy Specials 😁 The most productive times seems to be the first and last light of the day.

[@gcrowder4818]

Nothing gets me more fired up for winter than small game hunting. Some of my best times in the woods are walking in the woods with my old shotgun or 22 shooting squirrels and rabbits.

[@honestreview1049]

Don't understand why this show doesn't have more subs. Keep them coming steve

[@frankiesemailfd]

My favorite hunt I was ever on was up in the mountains of Arkansas with an older.gentleman and his dogs , best time of my life , them dogs were so so smart

[@craigmocello8552]

Rewound that intro four times to rewatch "the rabbit hater" jumping up n down 🤣🤣🤣

[@warbirdflyerF4U]

Awesome back to the roots old time hunting Thank you for sharing that with a Steve That's a Tradition that needs to be passed on

[@pyroe87]

I wasted so much time skinning squirrels the wrong way. Damn step dad.

[@davidkirkman1135]

Steve, I’m loving the small games videos and the dove hunting. Lots of action and seeing the dogs work. Working dogs love to work for their Hunter.

[@AC-gs9em]

Those boys in Kentucky... 🤣

[@michaelsnelling8302]

I live in so indiana , squirrel hunting is my favorite am favorite wild meat

[@isaacstevens473]

My uncle introduced me to rabbit hunting with beagles. He’s a leader in a beagle club in Southeastern Iowa. Got my first beagle when I was 17. Went to the East Tennessee mountains to hunt at 19. Got my first out of state rabbit at 20.

[@TheRealChetManley]

This is my favorite episode. As a Kentuckian, I can say this is it. Anyone who has hunted in Kentucky has hunted just like this. And squirrel gravy and biscuits, yes please. Makes me hungry for some fried squirrel!

[@kellyellis6344]

The squirrels are getting thick in my part of Ky. Nobody hunting them much anymore. Rabbits too!

[@Bearclaw_Jake]

I just love this show, especially this episode. Everyone has small game hunting stories from their youth. It's just plain American. And that meal with home brew at the end was divine.

[@DrRxDawg]

Steve I’ve watched nearly all of the meat eater videos and I must say this one had me smiling several times. Growing up in Georgia some of my best memories are rabbit hunting with my dad. These gentlemen you hunted with had some good beagles. Few things are more exciting than a pack of beagles burning up a rabbit. I’m glad you got to have this experience. His squirrel dogs are pretty good too. Those swamp rabbits we always called blue bellies.

[@joelruder2857]

I've watched this episode probably a dozen times, never gets old. I'd like to hunt with Kevin Murphy in LBL or here in Ohio.

[@johnhooker7424]

He's A Good Hunting Partner. Always have A good time with Him..

[@lokei1326]

I drove through Kentucky on Mt way back to STL from the Smokies and made sure we stopped at the LBL to look around and put it in out National Park Passports. Wife didn't like that I stopped and tried to rush me but my kids liked it.

[@brianreardon1795]

Robert Plant has a long lost Appalachian twin.

[@SteelSurgeon]

Im glad I aint the only one whoe thought that

[@Jason-cm6uh]

A favorite episode. "Talk to him Bobby Django!" Ha! Ha! Classic

[@austinwhite969]

Being from eastern Kentucky this is by far my favorite episode yet. Brings back a lot of memories.

[@chriss1151]

Yay Kentucky again! My home. Proud to have ya Steve!

[@richardfrank9317]

Why do most hunters fry their small game? Like fish, you can try other ways of cooking them, but you always come back to fried, because it can't be beat.

[@ianpelkowski]

It's just easy. Tried and true. Not to mention with the work to pay off ratio, you just can't mess it up.

[@chriss1151]

You got that right bud! I will fry squirrel in the forest at my hammock camp just yards shy of where I shot them. I have to backpack everything in so frying is the way to go for carrying everything on your back. :)

[@mikeybreakz6292]

when you hunt rabbits or squirrels in the summer or fall before the first good frosts make sure to skin them and throw the skins out right after you kill them or you are going to infest yourself your truck and hunting lodge with fleas and ticks . they are always crawling with fleas and ticks and they crawl onto you... it happened to me too many times.

[@marleyandeye405]

My grandpa told me start hunting them after the first freeze to deal with that

[@jgibbles8028]

Great video! Its pure! Its Traditions! Its bond between beasts and handlers! Its friendship between hunters!

[@thesteadfastangler6724]

The world would be a better place if everyone had a Kevin Murphy in their lives.

[@ArpOutdoors]

I have squirrel hunted for years and do the tail method but his slow pull and stop for the legs is amazing I will definitely try that

[@Tags54]

My hometown of Grand Rivers, Ky is an entrance to LBL. Miss that little town and still go back to fish when I can.

[@vidadeunhoundsman2685]

Small game! The best type of hunting!

[@thekid9152]

One of my favorite KM Episodes, wish we’d see him more. Love his bull horn!

[@KevinTan]

Imagine the reaction of the Squirrels when ever they hear the Horn.

[@toddbevans4192]

Kevin: *blows horn* The squirrels: 👁👄👁

[@KevinTan]

@@toddbevans4192 hahahahah

[@joshrodriguez19]

Finally! Ive been waiting for this episode to be uploaded!

[@isaacstevens473]

I’ve been waiting for this too. My uncle introduced me to rabbit hunting with beagles. He’s a leader in a beagle club in Southeastern Iowa.

[@wtp7631]

I love seeing dogs doing what they were born for

[@jasonmay9387]

I grew up around here. Love hunting squirrels growing up.

[@skydiver6711]

I agree Steve. I love squirrel. My Dad did not like to eat it but he loved to hunt them. So when we went squirrel hunting he always ate some just to show us kids that if you shoot it, you eat it. If you don't eat it, don't shoot it.

[@DixieVet1984]

Favorite episode. Reminds me of hunting with my grandpa as a kid. Good times and I miss them.

[@marktate4466]

I am returning to this type of hunting and find it so very enjoyable.

[@squirrelmarm7218]

Dang I wish my squirrel dog was as good as his are. But he has fun in the woods and that's what's important.

[@swampdonk3y712]

Small game hunting is the most fun you can have in the woods. Reminds me of growing up hunting with my pop-pop.

[@Sinful_morality]

This right here is hands down the best episode of Meat Eater, you cannot change my mind on this. Too many good factors to mention

[@KommJesu]

When he pets the dog while hunting swamp rabbits the dog is like yes please praise me.

[@georgiegan]

Always nice to see hunting dogs getting to use their natural instincts and behaviours to the fullest, out running, chasing critters, barking. Instead of just sitting alone in the house, not allowed to make any noise, not much space to run about.

[@SurvivalInFlames]

Damn using the scissors to gut them is brilliant

[@jrock91000]

As a Western KY native, Kevin is my hero. Love watching episodes with him in it.

[@JackSquat1]

I watched a squirrel cleaning tutorial from Kevin Murphy... looked up if squirrels from a suburban area are good to eat, and 60 squirrels later I must say the method works, and I have an excellent source of fresh game if the population gets out of hand again. Coming back to watch this episode 3 years later, and it's quite a treat to see Kevin in action.

[@chriswhite6460]

Steve, you have to blow that horn like you mean it!! LOL. Great episode!! My family has the annual squirrel and rabbit hunt every Christmas. Great times, memories, and delicious meals.

[@tylerrobertst-rob1731]

What I love about living and growing up here in ky, good ole home cooked meals like that.

[@johanswart8116]

South africa we don't have much squirrels but we do have rabbits, rock hyrax and small antelope size of a rabbit. We shoot a lot of rock hyrax. Love the dogs.

[@bradbutcher3984]

We had a majority swamp rabbit population here on the edge of the Trinity Valley north of Trinity Bay where I grew up hunting.

[@85rgreen]

I just discovered I am completely empressed with the small game hunting, thanks for sharing this episode.

[@1fastmr]

Great episode, Kevin is a free spirited hunter and I would be honored to go on a hunt with him .Looks like Steve had a great time.

[@charleshowell7855]

Home of Jack Hinson, Civil War sniper who would’ve rather been left alone than to seek revenge for the gruesome deaths of his sons.

[@BucksMom218]

I love Kevin as he named his dogs Poochie Bad Toe and Bobby Jango. Priceless. Such a good show! 🐾🐾😎