The Complete Guide to Hunting, Butchering, and Cooking Wild Game: Volume 2: Small Game and Fowl

by Steven Rinella, John Hafner (Photographs)

A comprehensive small-game hunting guide, perfect for hunters ranging from first-time novices to seasoned experts, with photography by renowned outdoor photographer John Hafner Steven Rinella was raised in a hunting family and has been pursuing wild game his entire life. In this first-ever complete guide to hunting—from hunting wild game to butchering and cooking it—the host of the popular hunting show MeatEater shares his own expertise with us, and imparts strategies and tactics from many of the most experienced hunters in the United States as well.   This invaluable book includes • recommendations on what equipment you will need—and what you can do without—from footwear to cutlery to camping gear to weapons • basic and advanced hunting strategies for all North American small game, including drive techniques, solo and group hunting, ambush hunting, the use of hunting dogs, and techniques for decoying and calling • how to find hunting locations, on both public and private land; how to locate areas that other hunters aren’t using; and how to make competition work in your favor • detailed sections on furred small game, upland birds, and waterfowl, covering the biology and best hunting methods for a total of thirty small game species  • comprehensive information about hunting wild turkeys in both the spring and fall seasons • how to master the arts of wingshooting and rifle marksmanship, and detailed information about shot placement, ammunition selection, and field maintenance of firearms and archery equipment • instructions on how to field dress and butcher your own small game animals for a variety of preparations • techniques and recipes for both indoor and outdoor wild game cooking

Genres: Nonfiction, Cookbooks, Outdoors, Food, Reference, Nature, Cooking

367 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 1, 2015

About the author

Steven Rinella is the host of the Netflix Original series MeatEater and The MeatEater Podcast. He's also the author of six books dealing with wildlife, hunting, fishing and wild game cooking, including the bestselling MeatEater Fish and Game Cookbook: Recipes and Techniques for Every Hunter and Angler.

Reviews

[Braxton Story · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked this up because of the cooking special episode of Meat Eater, Rinella mentions all the recipes featured in the episode were featured in his (this and vol 1) book.

I figured when I picked it up I'd just have some nice turkey / rabbit recipes to fall back on later this year but I did not expect the solid information and diagrams present in the book.

Really informative and nice read and I can't wait to try out the recipes.

[Robert Cox · Rating 5 out of 5]

Effectively illustrated and simply written, the best how-to hunting book I've ever read.

Greater than that, Rinella does wonders for the PR game of the lesser thought of game animals, the squirrels and rabbit that are so often overlooked in the hyped up world of big game hunting.

Especially valuable to those just getting into hunting as Rinella does really start at the foundation with gear and tags moving onto easy to execute tactics for each species.

[Bill Day · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Complete" is not an exaggeration

Everything from how to outfit yourself for small game to hunting tips to butchering and cooking. I learned a lot from the squirrel, rabbit, upland birds, and waterfowl sections, and was pleasantly surprised to see turkey hunting and butchery+cooking very well covered, too. The discussions of shotgun ammunition and decoy spreads were also great additions. I highly recommend this for anyone getting started, or for people like myself looking to fill in gaps. Great book!

[Ryan Moeller · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very down to earth book about the author's favorite ways to hunt and clean game. It also has good gear recommendations. The author doesn't try to give you an exhaustive list of all your options, whether it's gear or skinning methods, rather he simply gives his favorite methods and explains why. Generally they are the simplest, most functional methods. All this makes the book a very informative one. It's also enjoyable as the author has good humor and his writing reads like your talking with a neighbor.

[Sean · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this book will be worth it's weight in rabbit jerky. Seriously this book covers a wide range of subjects. I read this cover to cover and couldn't put it down. I refer to it often and will read it again in whole soon enough. I was surprised to be so engrossed in a book with such expert advice.
This is a must read if you're interested in starting with small game.

[Nicholas Maynard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Viewing small games in a completely different light now

I'd recommend this volume to anyone curious about small game hunting. Steve Rinella breaks down the intricacies of hunting, butchering & you guessed it, cooking small game. He provides clear, detailed methods guiding readers in the field & kitchen, definitely worth it.

[Tim Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

I grew up hunting small game then stopped hunting for over 30 years before getting back into it again this past year. This is a very complete book for new small game hunters, would be boring I'm sure for experienced ones. Got a good intro to some new birds I'll be after in the coming year.

[Robert Fritz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Borrowed this from a friend - it's an excellent volume on the wide range of game which a person could hunt and cook. Good writing style and photos.

[Devon Simmons · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best book out there

Incredibly knowledgeable read. Not overbearing and tons of useful, first-hand advice. This covers everything from purchasing gear to your first hunt and beyond.

[Will Manly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good guide book; good looking recipess

[Stockton Denos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rinella has done it again. His knowledge about hunting and cooking wild animals is immense.

[Tyler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing Book!!!

A must read for all hunters. There is so much to learn from this book, it was better than I could have hoped.

[Mark McNamara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Big game hunting books abound but it is difficult to find a qualify small game hunting resource.

[Daniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great tips and tricks for hunting, cleaning and cooking small game.

[Sebastien · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great information in an easy to read format

[Michael Mitchell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like the format and can't wait to try the techniques and recipes.

[Matthew Rowe · Rating 5 out of 5]

The MeatEater crew did a great job covering all the topics in the best way I could imagine assorting them.

[Scotty Allenton · Rating 1 out of 5]

It's a good book if you are new to hunting or have never hunted before. I was hoping for more of a cook/butchering book but what I got was 250 pages of hunting strategy and information about basic hunting equipment.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great techniques to hunt, butcher, and cook small game. Wonderful companion to volume 1.

[Louigi Salvati · Rating 4 out of 5]

Small Game

Loads of good info for new and veteran hunters. Looking forward to trying rescepies and hunting tips in the field.