One of my favorite challenges in the kitchen is converting my dinner guests over to eating foods that they believe they don't like or won't try. Choosing a product to work with is an easy task for me and that choice is offal. I’d venture to say that somewhere in the ballpark of 90 percent of Americans aren't interested in tasting the wobbly bits of animals. So years ago, I came up with a few tips that will lure folks in for a bite and hopefully a clean plate.
Read MoreIn the South, we are known for loving all things pork. We’ve also been known to braise pork in cola and glaze holiday hams with it. So that combination was a no-brainer for me. From my love of Thai and Peruvian cuisine, I landed on the combination of pork and peanuts to make this new delicious dish.
Read MoreLove it or hate it, the somewhat controversial meat on meat combination of bacon wrapped venison will always be at the dinner tables of hunters across America. Tender, richly colored and lean wild meat wrapped in smoky fatty pork; what's not to love?
Read MoreThis sauce can be used to glaze smoked ribs, folded into shredded tender venison or to top off your burgers. With the carrots pretty much pairing with any meat you can throw at them, you’re not limited to wild game. This sauce will pair perfectly fine with domestic animals as well.
Read MorePan frying is a technique that's rarely talked about in modern day cookery. These days we have air fryers and electric table top fryers that can appear to simplify the cooking process. And while simple can sometimes be better, it doesn't always offer you the best in terms of versatility, flavor and longevity.
Read MoreWhen it comes to preparing your own backcountry safety kit the biggest factor I feel is important is really evaluating every piece of gear you are carrying. Do you have the knowledge on how to properly use the item? Should you spend time learning with it before the season? A little effort can take a basic kit and turn it into something that can ultimately save your life.
Read MoreThis will be one of the hardest hunts out there to stay motivated. Some days, you might find ten bulls and other times you may not see an elk in ten days. Keeping your head in the game can be very difficult. A good hunting partner is invaluable for these types of hunts, but even small creature comforts can really help. Pack foods you like, take warm clothes and build fires during the slow times of the day. I've recently begun investing more of my time in photography and have found this as a fun way to take a 20 minute break from staring at the world at 10X.
Read MoreAcross the West, elk reside in a diverse set of habitat types and bedding grounds in each habitat vary significantly; therefore, it is my opinion that this can be the most difficult point on the triangle to identify. In fact, you may have to go back to your map and use the data you have collected for a little assistance. When you checked your water source(s), you should have identified at least one well-used trail and established which direction elk travel as they come to or leave water sources.
Read MoreA well-established wallow in that home zone can be a great place to set up and kill a bull that you have scouted during the early season. Even after the rut has kicked in and bulls are attending cows, they will continue to wallow; however, by that point, it could be many miles from where they spent the summer.
Read MoreThis article was to serve merely as a template to base your own kill kit off of. The items I carry have been refined and refined over the years and I feel like I have a setup that meets my needs perfectly. The kit is nothing special other than a bag that houses everything you need once a tag has been punched. Be creative, but smart, in your approach to building your system and decide what items need to be upgraded, cut or added.
Read MoreLayering systems might differ slightly from climate to climate, but the foundation remains. Nowadays, having a layering system is an absolute must for me and, truth be told, I won't do it any other way. Since I have changed my ways, I have never been more comfortable out in the field. Because of that, I find myself spending way more time in the field—no matter the conditions. This transfers into more animals spotted, which inevitably leads to more opportunities to fill that tag.
Read MoreField judging elk is an art, while measuring dead elk is an exact science. Hunters looking to break into the B&C minimums or hunters looking to figure out the difference from a 370” bull from a 390” bull all need to dissect a bulls rack long before they decided to pull the trigger. The following methods I have used for a long time when picking apart a bulls rack.
Read MoreIf you're an avid hunter or simply a food enthusiast, you’ve probably heard of Hank Shaw. He’s a James Beard Award-winning chef and author of five cookbooks, including his latest, Hook, Line, and Supper. In his newest course for OutdoorClass, Venison 101, Hank takes you through all things venison, from the moment the animal is downed all the way to the dinner table.
Read MoreOne piece of gear that I have used over the years has been a lightweight tarp and, once again, this past fall, that item was particularly useful. Whether I needed shelter from the rain, wind, sun or a place to debone an elk quarter — or even to catch and collect water — a tarp is a key piece of my gear.
Read MoreSetting up trail cameras sounds simple enough right? Until you’re flipping through your pictures and you can’t tell the difference between a doe or a 170-inch buck because the heads are out of frame. Anybody that has set up trail cameras can probably think of these exact instances where you’re walking back to your truck cursing at every rock and stick that gets in your way because you had trail camera malfunctions.
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