Love of Eating wild.

I used to say that if you don't like wild game then something is wrong with you. I have since amended that statement. If you don't like wild game, then you haven't had it the right way. Usually the culprit is the way the meat is taken care of in the feild and in the kitchen. The best way to ruin wild game is over cooking it. Actually, overcooking anything will make it worse. There is absolutely no reason to turn wild game into jerky, if your goal was to eat a steak. Medium well is probably too "done" for wild meat, and will produce the "gamey" taste. I believe that 98% of the reason people don't like wild game is either because they had it bad once, or they have a mental block. They tell themselves they don't like it, like a kid does with vegetables.
I am thankful that my wife likes wild game, because it makes up the vast majority of our diet. If you have something you don't think will taste good, like an old rutted up buck, there are plenty of recipes for eating it. Make bratwurst, jerky, summer sausage, etc. If in doubt add pork, anything wrapped in Bacon will taste good. I will always say, if you don't like pork there is something wrong with you.
I just made pepperoni out of antelope. I can't wait to make a pizza for someone who "hates wild game".

The Fall

A list of my favorite things about the fall.

- the autumn colors

- Hunting with friends and family

- the first frost and the smell of the aspen leaves when they turn

- burning pine needles and the smell that brings

- sunsets, the angle of the sun at this time of year really amplifies mountains

- migrating birds

- football games

- fresh veggies from home

More from the Missouri Breaks.

The "Breaks" as we call them are home to very, very few people, but are instead inhabited by Bighorn Sheep, Elk, Mule deer, White-tailed deer, Pronghorn, and about a million coyotes as well as some other small game. Its beautiful country, but harsh. I think this is one of the places in North America that everyone should have the chance to see once in their life.

Dad's visit

Last week my dad came over to hunt antelope and upland birds. We had a great week of hunting and some good success. Lena hunted with us on the weekend, and she nearly got a nice antelope buck. Next time.

Casper is turning out to be a good hunting dog, even though he is still just a pup. He flushes and retrieves, but his stamina and attention span still leave something to be desired. Over time I have no doubt that he will turn out to be a great dog. I could visibly see the pride and relief on dad when casper flushed and retrieved our birds.

Dad got a nice antelope buck, and we processed the whole thing ourselves at my house. Dad is making jerky, two types of summer sausage, two types of snack sticks, and two types of smokies. It was a lot of work, but we both enjoyed it.

One of the side notes of the trip was our tour of the missouri breaks. This is country that everyone should see once in their life. The picture of the cabin came from the breaks near the river. It was someone's dream.

Here today, gone tomorrow.

My neighbor Rob passed away this morning around 11 o'clock. I was outside getting ready to leave when the paramedics arrived. I knew it wasn't good when they took the defibrillator inside. I heard a woman crying and knew it was Rob. About an hour later I found out that he had passed away.
Rob was a very nice man, and I'm not saying that just because he passed on. Rob was quiet, and industrius, always outside working on something. Rob took great care of his own yard, and the street around him. His truck and motor cycle were always clean and sparkling too. For years Rob mowed his neighbors lawn, because they could not.
This morning Rob was out riding his motor cycle, and passed away shortly after he returned home. I'm glad he got one last ride on a beautiful fall morning. Not a bad way to go. My heart breaks for his wife.
Sometimes I forget just how fragile life is, and how much I value everyday I get to spend among my friends and family. I need to thank God for everymorning I can wake up and kiss my beautiful wife. Life is truly a blessing.