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Video: Killing And Eating A Porcupine
By: Josh Dahlke
Feb 20
"Porcupines: To Kill Or Not To Kill?" was the title of one of my recent blog posts. I literally asked NAHC members that question, while also voicing my reasons for shooting porcupines when I come across them in the woods.
Admittedly, I was shocked by the overall response and number of comments. Most importantly, though, I was happy to see how passionate NAHC members are about wildlife and conservation issues. I will admit ... I never expected quill-pig management to be such a point of contention, but then again, life is full of pleasant surprises.
There was one recurring point about killing porcupines that I couldn't help but notice during the debate: They're easy to kill and taste great. So, as a follow-up, I decided to include quill pig as a target in my final small-game hunt of the year in north-central Wisconsin. I killed a ruffed grouse, a squirrel and, yes ... a porky; that's the ultimate mixed bag. Low and behold, it was perched in a pine tree, feasting on the bark. I removed it from the tree with my Remington Versa Max.
Skinning the quill pig was a learning experience, but I got it done. Cooking it wasn't any more difficult or interesting than cooking a chicken, but I'll quit blathering. Watch my porcupine hunt and dining experience in the short video below. And please—don't be afraid to speak up with your comments.
Monday, February 20, 2012 2:41 PM
I was hoping for a video of field dressing and butchering.
Monday, February 20, 2012 4:08 PM
@jware5: Maybe next time! It was my first field dressing and butchering experience, so you wouldn't have learned much. And when I do, I'll label it "Porcupine Field-Dressing And Butchering." Thanks for watching!
Tuesday, February 21, 2012 7:26 AM
Josh, Thanks for the vid and the sequel !! I'm proud of you and your display of ability to expand your experiences and discover new and exciting ways to enjoy our sport beyond the realm of "killing". I enjoyed participating in the overall response to your first blog and was also surprized at the volume of interest demonstrated by fellow members in the subject. This follow-up demonstrates a deeper level of you that I have apparently overlooked thus far. KUDOS to you man !!So.... how'd it taste ?? LOL !!
Tuesday, February 21, 2012 9:04 AM
Josh, Next time include the filleting segment. And a recipe.
Tuesday, February 21, 2012 10:06 AM
@Flouro: Recipe -- sure. Filleting segment -- read my response to jware5. Thanks! @RAbear51: Thanks for the positive notes! Great to hear from you. And as honestly stated in the video, it really tasted excellent. My girlfriend's comment mid-meal was, "You need to find a way to get more of this!" It would probably be AMAZING smoked, too.
Tuesday, February 21, 2012 10:29 AM
In Montana it used to be against the law to kill a porky as they were reserved for those hunters who got lost. That way they'd have some thing to eat while trying to get out of the forest.
Tuesday, February 21, 2012 1:09 PM
Well done sir, well done. I can’t help but laugh to myself thinking about how may members are thinking, “ I guess you can’t judge a whole man by one post”. I figured you would take the high road on this subject and you have indeed. I will have to try porcupine when I can find one. I don’t think there are very many in Washington. I haven’t seen any yet. I used to see them all the time in Oregon. Thanks for the sequel and for “testing the waters” on a new dish.
Tuesday, February 21, 2012 2:16 PM
This Is something I would defently want to try hunting. Looks like it might be pretty good to eat. Nice video thanks for sharing it.
Tuesday, February 21, 2012 2:49 PM
@Dale: If someone got lost where I hunt porcupines, then they'd better retake the "common sense" course. It's impossible to get lost in that area unless you're a blind man, in which case trying to skin a porcupine would be a painful task in itself. @npaul: Glad to see that you found the video! And thanks for chiming-in. I hope to see you around more often. @jflynn511: Very tasty, indeed! Thanks for watching and commenting.
Wednesday, February 22, 2012 5:34 AM
I wish I could find the porky that is chewing the legs off of my deer blind in Mi. UP. I'm 16 ft. in the air and a stroke survivor so I can't travel the woods & look for him. I think maybe one or two more seasons and I'll be back to a ground blind. I just hope I'm not in it when it comes down. Happy hunting.
Wednesday, February 22, 2012 6:44 AM
Npaul...don't laugh..just be grateful that you are in the company of such fine,well balanced,FRIENDLY and open-minded American sportsmen who aren't as judgemental as they are passionate about guiding ethics that regulate our behaviors and ensure the life of our sport. I appreciate YOUR comments here and sense a basic goodness in your views although you too at times can be slightly acidic and judgemental. Peace to you and good hunting !!
Wednesday, February 22, 2012 9:46 AM
we use to kill because they were distructive a friend had killed one cleaned one and cooked it and thought it was very good but i have a taste for just about any kind of wild game
Wednesday, February 22, 2012 8:17 PM
My dogs used to do the porcupine hunting for me...wish they hadn't for their sake. I would see them everywhere in Alaska, great eating, but not much of a challenge to kill. When I was a kid I hunted them with a club.
Wednesday, February 22, 2012 8:19 PM
Just a follow-up. I didn't beat the porcupines to death, just one quick blow to head was all it took. Quick and humane, so no ethical issues.
Tuesday, February 28, 2012 11:29 AM
I found the video to be quite interesting, and glad to see that you ate what you killed. It would have been really great if you had mentioned the fact that they are also a great survival food, as they are fairly slow moving, and easy to take even if you do not have a gun, and finding one could well be the difference between surviving or not.
Tuesday, February 28, 2012 5:43 PM
I agree alittle more info would of been nice. Wouldn't mind giving that a try. I had racoon and that's not bad
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