To "peel" a dove, you're actually field dressing it, which involves removing the breast meat. Here's a breakdown of the process, incorporating the information from the provided video reference:
Field Dressing a Dove
The term "peeling" when referring to a dove is a colloquial way to describe the process of removing the breast meat. This process is demonstrated in the video, and while it is called "field dressing", it essentially involves removing the breast meat from the bird.
Step-by-Step Guide:
- Preparation: Begin with your harvested dove.
- Pinch and Pull: Pinch the skin and feathers in the center of the breast and then pull them away from the breast meat.
- Keep it Legal: Importantly, to stay legal in many areas, you must keep one fully feathered wing attached to the breast meat. This is often done by simply leaving the wing attached when you peel away the skin and feathers.
- Remove the Breast: After you have peeled away the skin and feathers, you will be left with the breast meat to remove.
Key Points:
- Legality: Always be aware of and comply with local hunting regulations. Keeping a wing attached helps with identification and enforcement.
- Efficiency: The "peeling" method allows for quick and easy removal of the valuable breast meat, leaving the rest of the carcass behind.
Why is it Called "Peeling"?
The term "peel" likely comes from the action of pulling the skin and feathers away from the breast, much like peeling the skin off of a piece of fruit. This method provides a clean way to access the meat quickly and easily in the field.
