Around the end of November when the rice is ripe for harvest, children in the Mekong Delta take to the fields, hunting for rats. A sworn enemy of farmers for long, the rats are known as “Mr. Longtail” in some places. As waters rise during the delta’s flooding season, the rats move en masse to higher ground, making hunting them a much easier task. As harvesters move across the field picking up rice plants, their nests are often exposed. It is not just a fun game for children, field rats can also provide farmer families with an extra source of income since the rodents are considered a delicacy when properly cooked. Many who have tasted the dish have compared it to venison. After helping themselves to grains and vegetables in the fields for months, field rats can grow fat (and tasty). Prices may vary but one can often find roasted rat at local markets for sale at VNĐ60,000-70,000 (US$2.5-3.00) per kilogram.
What do field mice look like?
Field mice, also known as meadow voles, are stout rodents with coarse brown fur and light gray or white undersides. The pests are between six and seven inches in length with short, furred tails twice as long as their hind feet.
While people sometimes mistake voles for mice or moles, there are several differences between the pests. Field mice have longer fur, shorter tails, and smaller eyes than true mice. The pests also have blunt snouts rather than pointed ones and much smaller front feet than moles.
How to catch a field mice
The villager’s methods for catching field mice vary. Some folks employ a mousetrap encased in steel wires, starting by capturing locusts and placing them in plastic bottles to serve as mouse traps. They begin their trek to catch mice after they have adequate bait. Choosing a location to install a trap is critical for individuals who want to catch mouses using a trap.
The catcher must be experienced and have keen vision to detect the field mouse’s small footsteps. Dogs are used by many different groups to scent the mouse’s cave door. The dogs will accompany the young group of 5 to 6 individuals. When dogs detect the odor of mice, they rush in to sniff and dig. At this point, people will use water to suffocate the mouses forcing them to flee. Outside, the gang snatches the chubby mouses in record time.
Field mice that eat rice in the field have flesh that is plump and solid. People burn the trapped mice right on the spot with dry straw, helping to keeping the flesh succulent. The freshly cleaned mice will get skewered and then roasted on the charcoal fire to till scent rises. Grilled mouse meat is frequently served with salt, chili, and lemon basil.
Mouse flesh here is said to be firm, tasty, and sweet. Some households also use minced mouse flesh in their everyday meals.
This meal served with lightly sour mango, dipped in fiery salt and pepper will have guests falling in love at first bite.
Furthermore, mouse meat may be processed in another way by cutting it into bite-sized pieces, marinating it with spices, adding a little wild diplazium esculentum, then baking it on a straw stove after putting it all in a tube. A wonderful and rich cuisine is ready within a flash.
In the video below, you can see mouse catching in the rice field 
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Video resource: 24 Carat Desi Vlog
