= new reply since forum marked as read
also groundhog. Squirrel, rabbit, raccoon, quail, pheasant, grouse, deer, and wild boar are considered perfectly acceptable, and, in some cases, delicacies. I have eaten all of them, but I much prefer meat raised for the purpose as being more flavorful, tender, and digestible. It has nothing to do with being poor, though. The Georgia legislature has an annual wild boar dinner. 
I never heard of it growing up. The Georgia coast is very different from the southern Appalachian mountains. I find the Savannah accent almost unintelligible. Actually, now that I think of it, there were people who ate possum, but it was necessary to catch the thing alive and keep it caged and fed until it "fattened up." But, as I said previously, it was frowned on.
Squirrel dumplins'! Mmm good!
I haven't had them in many years, but I do have fond memories of my mother cooking them when I was a boy. Yum!
... was a woman of many talents, but the two I remember as a boy was her squirrel dumplings and her accuracy at hitting a target (me and my cousin) from 20 feet away while milking the cows. 
