Hey All:

I've been unemployed for two years, and find I need to stretch my food dollars as far as I can. I did a Google search for eating squirrel, and found this chat trail.

I've got lots of squirrels in my neighborhood and an air gun to shoot them with. I take them with clean head shots. I agree with the others here in that I hate to wound them or see them suffer. Head shots are quick and painless.

My real point in writing is to get more information about cleaning and eating them. I live in the Dallas, Texas area and all the squirrels here are red squirrels. One of you stated you don't like to eat red ones. Why? Do the rest of you agree, or have any of you eaten them and disagree?

As far as cleaning them, I read somewhere that you must be careful to wear gloves as their fur or skin poses a health risk. Once you are down to the meat it isn't a problem. Has anyone heard of this?

I've never eaten squirrel before, but I used to have a Cherokee girlfriend who said her father used to shoot them all the time and she ate them frequently as a kid. This is where I got the idea that there is free meat running around in my back yard that I could take advantage of. Obviously, many of you agree. Do any of you have any tips or cautions for a first-timer like me for cleaning them and disposing of the remains?

Thanks, all. I appreciate any advice you can give me. Free food is free food. I believe God supplies all our needs, and I'm in need now, so thank you Lord for helping me out.