As waterfowl hunters, we try to make the most of our birds. The breasts are a given, but I hope you’re also keeping the legs, thighs, hearts, and livers—they all have great culinary potential. If you want to add one more item to the “use it all” list, look no further. Turns out, goose and duck feet make excellent dog treats.
This idea started with a scare last January. I had just gotten a Boykin spaniel pup named River. He was too young to hunt, but I wanted him to start getting familiar with the quarry he’d one day retrieve. After a successful outing, I let him sniff, tug, and wrestle with a pile of Canada geese. Back at the house, while cleaning the birds, I didn’t want that familiarization to end. So, on a whim, I clipped off a goose foot and handed it to him.
He went to town. I settled into the rhythm of processing—music on, knife in hand, River happily gnawing in the background. My kind of zen.
About twenty minutes later, I turned around just in time to watch him swallow the entire foot whole. Down the hatch. That was a bit of an “oh shit” moment.
Being a first-time dog owner, I didn’t know what to expect. River was still tiny—maybe eight pounds at the time—and I was worried the foot might get stuck in his digestive tract. I called the emergency vet to explain the situation. The first question she asked: “Raw or dehydrated?”
“Raw,” I answered.
She explained that a raw foot is tougher to digest than a dehydrated one, but she assured me, either way, he’d be fine. I was relieved and started doing some research. I soon learned that dehydrated duck and goose feet are actually sold in pet stores and are safe for dogs to consume. From then on, I clipped the feet off every goose I killed, stashed them in the freezer, and stockpiled them until the season closed. All said and done, I had about twenty goose boots to work with.
Converting those leathery feet into chewy treats was a simple process, and the results were a huge hit with River. If you’re not already tossing your feet into the stock pot, give this a try. Your four-legged friend will thank you, and it’s one more way to honor the birds we love to hunt.
Ingredients & Equipment:
- Goose or duck feet (thawed, if frozen)
- Dog nail trimmers (or similar clippers)
- Dish soap
- Dehydrator
- Mason jar(s) with an airtight lid
- Desiccant packs (optional, for moisture control)
Instructions:
1. Thaw & Clean
If the feet are frozen, move them to the counter to thaw. Once thawed, wash them thoroughly in your sink using dish soap. Be sure to rinse off all soap. Pat dry with a hand towel.
2. Trim the Nails
With the nail trimmers, carefully clip off all nails. This step removes sharp edges and keeps the treats safe and more enjoyable for chewing.
3. Prep the Dehydrator
Arrange the feet on your dehydrator trays in a single layer—don’t let them touch and don’t overcrowd. Good air circulation is essential for even drying.
4. Dehydrate
Set your dehydrator to 150°F and dehydrate for 24 hours, then start checking the texture. The feet should be dry and stiff—no moisture, but not brittle enough to shatter or splinter into shards. Expect the process to take between 24 and 72 hours, depending on your dehydrator, the size of the feet, and the ambient room humidity.
5. Cool & Store
Once fully dehydrated, let the feet cool on the trays. Transfer the cooled feet to a clean Mason jar and drop in 1 or 2 desiccant packs to guard against lingering moisture. Seal the jar tightly. Stored properly, these treats should keep for several months, and freezing them can extend their shelf life even further.
Until next time, enjoy, and good luck out there!
Article by Split Reed Food Editor Kirk Marks, a hunter, photographer, and culinary aficionado based in Kent Island, Maryland. Give him a follow at @kirkymarks.
