What to Do with Doves After Hunting: 5 Delicious and Creative Recipes
What Do You Do With Doves After Hunting?
The sound of a mourning dove’s call is a familiar one in many parts of the United States. These birds are found in a variety of habitats, from open fields to dense forests. They are also a popular game bird, and each year, thousands of doves are harvested by hunters.
But what do you do with doves after you’ve hunted them? There are a few different options, depending on your personal preferences and culinary tastes.
In this article, we’ll discuss some of the most popular ways to use doves after hunting. We’ll also provide tips on how to prepare them so that they’re delicious and safe to eat.
So whether you’re a seasoned hunter or just getting started, read on for some great ideas on how to enjoy your next dove harvest.
What Do You Do With Doves After Hunting?
| Action | Description | Example |
|—|—|—|
| Eat | Cook and eat the doves. | Roast doves with vegetables. |
| Donate | Give the doves to a food bank or soup kitchen. | Donate doves to a local food bank. |
| Preserve | Can or freeze the doves for later use. | Can doves in a pressure cooker. |
Doves are a popular game bird that is hunted for their meat and feathers. They are small, plump birds with a delicate flavor that is perfect for a variety of dishes. Doves can be cooked in a variety of ways, but they are most commonly roasted, grilled, or pan-fried.
This guide will show you how to dress and cook doves so that you can enjoy this delicious game bird at home.
How to Dress a Dove
Dressing a dove is a simple process that involves removing the head, neck, wings, legs, breastbone, crop, intestines, gizzard, liver, and heart.
To dress a dove, you will need the following:
- A sharp knife
- A cutting board
- A bowl or trash can
1. Rinse the dove inside and out with cold water.
2. Place the dove breast-side up on the cutting board.
3. Use the knife to cut through the skin around the neck and remove the head.
4. Cut through the skin around the wings and remove them.
5. Cut through the skin around the legs and remove them.
6. Use the knife to cut down the center of the breastbone and remove it.
7. Use the knife to open the dove up and remove the crop, intestines, gizzard, liver, and heart.
8. Discard the inedible parts of the dove.
How to Cook Dove
There are many different ways to cook doves, but the most common methods are roasting, grilling, pan-frying, smoking, and braising.
Roasting Doves in the Oven
Roasting is a simple and straightforward way to cook doves. The key to roasting doves is to cook them until they are cooked through but still juicy.
To roast doves in the oven, you will need the following:
- 2-3 doves
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 cup chicken broth
1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Rinse the doves inside and out with cold water.
3. Pat the doves dry with paper towels.
4. Season the doves with olive oil, salt, pepper, oregano, thyme, and garlic powder.
5. Place the doves in a roasting pan.
6. Pour the chicken broth into the bottom of the pan.
7. Roast the doves for 30-40 minutes, or until they are cooked through.
8. Let the doves rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Grilling Doves over Charcoal
Grilling is a great way to cook doves outdoors. The smoky flavor of the grill pairs perfectly with the delicate flavor of the dove meat.
To grill doves over charcoal, you will need the following:
- 2-3 doves
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 cup barbecue sauce
1. Preheat the grill to medium heat.
2. Rinse the doves inside and out with cold water.
3. Pat the doves dry with paper towels.
4. Season the doves with olive oil, salt, pepper, oregano, thyme, and garlic powder.
5. Brush the doves with barbecue sauce.
6. Grill the doves for 3-4 minutes per side, or until they are cooked through.
7. Let the doves rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Pan-frying Doves in a Skillet
Pan-frying is a quick and easy way to cook doves. The doves will cook quickly in a hot skillet, and the resulting dish will be juicy and flavorful.
To pan-fry doves in a skillet, you will need the following:
- 2-3 doves
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
1. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
2. Rinse the doves inside and out with cold water.
3. Pat the doves dry with paper towels.
4. Season the doves with olive oil, salt, pepper, oregano, thyme, and garlic powder.
5. Cook the doves for 3-
3. How to Store Dove
After you’ve harvested your doves, you’ll need to store them properly so that they stay fresh and delicious. Here are a few tips for storing doves:
- Freeze doves for later use. This is the easiest way to store doves, and it’s a great option if you don’t plan on eating them right away. To freeze doves, simply rinse them thoroughly, pat them dry, and place them in a freezer bag or container. Make sure to label the bag or container with the date so you know how long the doves have been frozen. Doves can be frozen for up to six months.
- Can doves for long-term storage. Canning is another great way to store doves for long-term use. To can doves, you’ll need to clean and prepare the doves, pack them into jars, and then process them in a pressure cooker. Canning doves is a bit more involved than freezing them, but it’s a great way to preserve doves for up to a year.
- Dry-cure doves for preservation. Dry-curing is a great way to preserve doves if you don’t have access to a freezer or a pressure cooker. To dry-cure doves, you’ll need to clean and prepare the doves, rub them with a curing mixture, and then hang them in a cool, dry place. Dry-cured doves can last for several months.
4. How to Use Dove
Doves are a delicious and versatile game bird that can be used in a variety of dishes. Here are a few ideas for how to use doves:
- Eat dove as a main course. Doves can be roasted, grilled, or pan-fried. They’re also great for making stews, soups, and curries.
- Use dove in soups and stews. Doves are a great addition to soups and stews because they add flavor and texture. They’re also a good source of protein.
- Use dove in salads and sandwiches. Dove breast meat is lean and flavorful, and it’s a great addition to salads and sandwiches.
- Use dove in pasta dishes. Dove meat can be used in a variety of pasta dishes, such as pasta with tomato sauce, pasta with pesto sauce, or pasta with cream sauce.
- Use dove in casseroles and other dishes. Dove meat can be used in a variety of casseroles and other dishes, such as chicken and dumplings, pot pie, or chili.
Doves are a delicious and versatile game bird that can be used in a variety of dishes. By following these tips, you can enjoy dove meat for months to come.
Dove hunting can be a rewarding experience, and it’s a great way to get some fresh meat for your table. By following these tips, you can ensure that you’re harvesting doves responsibly and that you’re using them to their full potential.
What Do You Do With Doves After Hunting?
- How do I clean doves?
After you field dress the dove, rinse it inside and out with cold water. Remove any excess fat and giblets. Pat the dove dry with paper towels.
- How do I cook doves?
Doves can be cooked in a variety of ways, including roasting, grilling, frying, and baking. For roasting, preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Season the doves with salt and pepper, and place them in a roasting pan. Roast for 20-25 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit. For grilling, preheat your grill to medium heat. Season the doves with salt and pepper, and cook for 6-8 minutes per side, or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit. For frying, heat 1 inch of oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Season the doves with salt and pepper, and cook for 4-5 minutes per side, or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit. For baking, preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Season the doves with salt and pepper, and place them in a baking dish. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
- What are some recipes for doves?
There are many delicious recipes for doves. Here are a few of our favorites:
- Roasted Doves with Garlic and Rosemary
Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Season the doves with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and rosemary. Place the doves in a roasting pan and roast for 20-25 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Grilled Doves with Lemon and Herbs
Preheat your grill to medium heat. Season the doves with salt, pepper, lemon zest, and fresh herbs. Grill the doves for 6-8 minutes per side, or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Fried Doves with Cajun Spices
Heat 1 inch of oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Season the doves with Cajun spices, and cook for 4-5 minutes per side, or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Baked Doves with Wild Rice and Mushrooms
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Season the doves with salt and pepper. Place the doves in a baking dish and top with wild rice, mushrooms, and vegetables. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
- How do I store doves?
Doves can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, or in the freezer for up to 3 months. To store doves in the refrigerator, place them in an airtight container or bag. To store doves in the freezer, place them in a freezer-safe bag or container.
- What are some other uses for doves?
In addition to eating doves, you can also use them for other purposes, such as:
- Making dove calls
- Using dove feathers for art or crafts
- Giving doves as gifts
- Releasing doves as a symbol of peace
there are many things you can do with doves after hunting. You can eat them, use them for target practice, or even sell them. However, it is important to be aware of the local laws and regulations regarding hunting doves before you do anything with them. By following these tips, you can ensure that you have a successful and enjoyable dove hunting experience.