We have a lot of pigeons, ( or large doves) in our neighborhood. Also in my garden, where they scratch what they can, including weed-seed. So I know what they eat. Can I eat these birds? They are fat and very tame. Is it legal to eat them? When my son was is Ag school they ate them Just want to know 'cause I am not eating any cattle meat of any kind. And squirrels? Same thing, everybody feeds them in the n'hood, they eat a lot from my garden so I am fattening them also. Y'all think I'm kidding probably, but I am not. I don't see much diffrence in eating my rabbits and the other 'pets' in my garden, Thanks Ada

-- Aagje Franken (Backyardy2k@aol.com), April 29, 2001

Answers

Doves and squrills, are considered to be wildlife in most states. They are regulated under the hunting laws, so check with the division of wildlife in your state.

Pigeons are usually just considered a nusiance, and you can probably do whatever you want with them. There are all kinds. Some are considered to be livestock like chickens.

-- Ed Copp (OH) (edcopp@yahoo.com), April 29, 2001.

I don't know if I'd eat the wild ones since they carry some not so pleasant things! I'd want to do a necropsy first! But a friend raises her own for food.

-- ~Rogo (rogo2020@yahoo.com), April 29, 2001.

Ada,

My husband's great grandparents raised pigeons, and his Grandmother still misses the taste to this day- mind you, she hasn't eaten one in 25 years. And I used to know an older couple in SOuth Carolina that regularly shot the squirrels in their backyard, and ate them prepared as a squirrel "purlough" (Sp?) which is something like chicken and rice or "dirty" rice.

Now, having said this, I would still be a little wary of squirrels, as the squirrel purlough that I ate didn't agree with me.

I would suppose that if you inspect the meat carefully and there are no lesions, tumors, etc. it's probably safe, but I'm no expert.

My husband is leaning over my shoulder while I'm writing this- he's says he'd eat it, but he'd be holding his breath for the first 24 hours afterward. Then, if he didn't get sick, he'd start stocking the freezer with them. : )

Try www.justgamerecipes.com if you decide to "harvest" those little critters, then please let us know how they turned out- I for one am VERY interested. (This site has an AMAZING number of recipes, for game animals I hadn't even considered... anyone up for possum or muskox? LOL)

-- Kristin, in LA. (positivekharma@aol.com), April 29, 2001.

The classic way of eating pigeon is to raid the nest for the young that are about to fledge. Look up recipes for 'squab.'

==>paul

-- paul (p@ledgewood-consulting.com), April 29, 2001.

mmmmmmmm squirrel jambalaya. Squirrels are considered game animals in most states and will require a hunting license with some restrictions on harvest methods (certain open seasons, firearm restrictions, etc.) In Texas, feral pidgeons are considered "exotic birds" since they are non-native with no restrictions whatsoever (perhaps a hunting license is required).

-- Steve - TX (steve.beckman@compaq.com), April 30, 2001.

Pigeons (squab) are fine eating, even if so small...

As to laws, it depends on where you live. In IL they are considered vermin and subject to all sorts of nasty things thereby.

A couple warnings:

Even if they eat most of their food at your place, they still go off and eat elsewhere. I wouldn't trust a wild pigeon in my diet. They are prone also to eating carrion.

Though the disease things are overplayed to the hilt, pigeons DO harbor viruses that can spread to humans. None of the 'innards' are safe for people or pets to eat, so there is a disposal problem. Get rid of the feet before butchering - this is what actually carries and spreads most diseases from pigeons.

If you don't want to use them as a food source, and if it is legal to trap and kill them, consider donating or selling to a zoo. They need the stuff for the raptor programs. If frozen, most of the problems would be taken care of....

-- Sue Diederich (willow666@rocketmail.com), April 30, 2001.

If you're trying to look up recipes, that rice recipe will be "pilau".

-- Don Armstrong (darmst@yahoo.com.au), April 30, 2001.

you can't hardly beat squirrel and dumplings. It's been a staple diet in my family for generations. I have never ate a town pigeon before, but I don't know why they wouldn't be tasty. I think I would buy a bird trap and trap them. Then I would put them on a corn diet for a couple of weeks before butchering. When I was growing up my mom used to buy .25 cent roosters and do this diet to them and we would have a feast on chicken and dumplings. Yum, Yum.

-- Russell Hays (rhays@sstelco.com), May 03, 2001.

WELL FANCY RESTAURANTS SELL SQUAB ON THEIR MENU.[FANCY NAME FOR PIGEON].HEY YOU WOULD BE KEEPING AMERICA CLEAN.PIGEONS ARE A MAJOR PROBLEM IN MOST CITIES. SQUIRRELS ARE FOUND IN RECIPES QUITE OFTEN.IF I`M NOT MISTAKEN THE ORIGINAL BRUNSWICK STEW WAS MADE WITH SQUIRREL MEAT.

CORDWOODGUY

-- cordwoodguy (cordwoodguy@n2teaching.com), May 06, 2001.