This year I took three new hunters to the field. Two of them shot their first deer (a doe and and eight point buck). I wrote stories about those hunts just after they happened and posted them here. They had experienced the first part of hunting back in December; they shot the rifles at the range, learned about deer behavior and anatomy, spent time in a stand, watched a bunch of wildlife, killed a deer, helped track deer, and watched the gutting process etc.
Recently I had those hunters back to the house for dinner. I wanted them to experience the hunt from the field to the table. I left work early one day last week and came home in time to prepare the meal. I laid out four tenderloin, sliced a garlic clove in half and rubbed the meat down with it. Then I sprinkled the venison with cracked pepper and rosemary, wrapped them in bacon, and put them on the smoker until they reached 135 degrees.
A few hours later, these three young men, friends since kindergarten, sat down to a feast of smoked venison, potatoes and a wedge salad. Very few words were uttered once they began to eat. The only thing I remember one of them saying is "This is the most tender meat I've ever had in my life." They were in awe of how delicious a properly prepared piece of venison can be.
It was the finishing touch on a very successful season for them. (Sorry, no pics, I had my hands full putting the entire meal together on my own.)
Recently I had those hunters back to the house for dinner. I wanted them to experience the hunt from the field to the table. I left work early one day last week and came home in time to prepare the meal. I laid out four tenderloin, sliced a garlic clove in half and rubbed the meat down with it. Then I sprinkled the venison with cracked pepper and rosemary, wrapped them in bacon, and put them on the smoker until they reached 135 degrees.
A few hours later, these three young men, friends since kindergarten, sat down to a feast of smoked venison, potatoes and a wedge salad. Very few words were uttered once they began to eat. The only thing I remember one of them saying is "This is the most tender meat I've ever had in my life." They were in awe of how delicious a properly prepared piece of venison can be.
It was the finishing touch on a very successful season for them. (Sorry, no pics, I had my hands full putting the entire meal together on my own.)
