EP127 Tenderizing Venison Is Game Changing

Show Notes:

There are a lot of great things about eating venison; the thrill of the hunt, knowing where your meat comes from, the satisfaction of besting a deer in its element to provide for your family, and more. The flavor and quality of the food you put on your table can and should be near the top of that list. On this episode I talk about how to tenderize venison and share some of the preparation and cooking methods that can also help improve tenderness. 

Take Aways

  • Venison is not beef. Do not cook it like beef. do not treat it like beef. Do not try to turn it into beef.
  • Do not compare tough cuts of venison with tender cuts of beef. Each animal has its tender cuts and its tough cuts, and each cut can be prepared well.
  • Tenderness is a factor of field care, butcher care, freezer to fridge care, meal prep, cooking method, and doneness.
  • Do all of those just half decently and your will be impressed with what is possible.
  • Popular meal prep tenderization methods include; soaking meat in milk, buttermilk, olive oil and wine, vinegar, and similar fluids.
  • These methods take the most time and produce the smallest results.
  • Listen to the episode for the top tenderization techniques and tips to get the most out of your venison. 

EP126 What Happened To The Good Old Deer Spots?

Show Notes:

For those who hunt the same areas year-after-year, it is common for the number and quality of deer in the area to diminish over time. On this episode I talk about why this is a normal occurrence and what you can do to reverse it!

Take Aways

  • Great whitetail habitat will do one thing if left untouched for decades, become bad whitetail habitat.
  • Most of the time it is not the fault of the game commission, too many hunters, too many tags, etc.
  • There are more whitetails in America today than there were 50 years ago, 100 years ago, or the day Columbus stumbled upon the continent.
  • The number of hunters also generally decreases year after year.
  • Deer do not leave an area without reason and they are not attracted to a new area without reason.
  • Deer are creatures of edge. They need food, cover, and bedding.
  • Thick cover will eventually become open forest, young forests will become old forests. All of this is bad news for deer.
  • The number one simplest way to improve failing whitetail habitat is to get sunshine onto the forest floor. This creates cover and food.

EP125 The Joy Of The Year-Round Deer Hunt

Show Notes:

For many, hunting is a seasonal pleasure. But it has the potential to be a year-round pursuit, even when you are not in the woods chasing game. On this episode I talk about cultivating the joy of the year-round hunt.

Simple ways to enjoy whitetail deer hunting even during the off season:

  • Scouting and checking trail cameras to see what deer survived the hunting season.
  • Watching movement and feeding patterns in winter when cover is sparse in the woods.
  • Looking for new tree stand locations during the winter when cover better resembles its fall state.
  • Checking trail cameras to see what deer survived the winter.
  • Hunting for antler sheds.
  • Planting clover or other food plots.
  • Watching anthers grow via trail cameras over the spring and summer.
  • Creating habitat improvements.
  • Studying summer and fall movement patterns to help direct hunting locations.
  • Shopping for gear on Black Friday and after Christmas when deals abound.
  • Mounting antlers, tails, or your trophies of choice.
  • Talking about hunting and sharing stories.
  • Thinking about past hunts and anticipating new ones.
  • Practicing with your rifle and/or bow.
  • The list goes on and on!

EP124 The Turn Around Moment – How Fast A Poor Hunt Can Change!

Show Notes:

Every hunter will face opportunities to get discouraged with what seems like a poor hunt. But the very nature of hunting makes it a pursuit were success can happen in an unexpected instant. On this episode I talk about how quickly things can turn around and how you can take advantage of those unanticipated opportunities.

How to have more turn around moments:

  1. Always be ready – If you are not ready and able to take a shot within two seconds you may miss turn around moments.
  2. Pay careful attention – Whitetails, turkeys, and many other animals can appear unannounced, silent and seemingly from nowhere.
  3. Assume there is always a deer close by – Don’t get lax or sloppy because you assume no animals are around. Your quarry really could be feet away from you and you not realize it.
  4. Stay positive – You hunt better when you believe it matters. You can always have a good day in the woods, no matter what the animals do.
  5. Never give up – Everyone has a time they need to leave the woods but realize success can come even at the last minute you are out there.

Listen to the episode for more!

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