It’s not legal, without special permits, to raise any animal, native to VA, for food. Squirrel and deer/venison are super abundant, as are Mourning Dove. I used to hunt squirrels and dove with a slingshot, but now use air rifles, special, silent pre-charged pneumatic types that are much safer than regular guns.
If venison is gamey, especially strong, it was not handled correctly. There are multiple possibilities in this area, including aging the meat at too high a temperature (to tenderize it) or improper butchering. I’ve butchered many deer, don’t age it, and find it milder than lamb in flavor.
It’s odd that I can legally raise European Hares/rabbits, pigeons and Guinea Pigs for food, but no squirrel or other native animal.
Pigeon, also called Rock Dove, are hunted and eaten in the US, but are not common fare.
When I was a teenager, we were not allowed any sort of gun, even bb guns. I asked my mother : “If I shoot some dove and clean it, will you cook it?” Her reply:" What are you going to shoot it with?" , immediately concerned I had broken the rules.
“I’ll use my slingshot”, I replied and her answer was based on not believing the feat was possible. “Sure, you shoot those dove with your slingshot and I’ll cook them.”, she said grinning.
I lived with a powerful slingshot and could hit a grasshopper at 30 meters. After about an hour in the woods, I had two doves and a squirrel to bring home. My mother was astonished: “Oh my god; you did it! I’m NOT cooking that rat!”
Mom served the dove in a delicious orange glaze. The squirrel is another story where a woodland child meets suburban living.
