Wild Game, and the Other Dark Meat

[cottswald]

Well this is a refreshing little "general media" tid bit.

http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2012/01/22/why-eat-squirrel-really/?intcmp=features

Quote: Georgia Pellegrini, regarding hunting and harvesting game: I’m happy to say I have crossed over and become one of those Americans. Eating squirrel that I’ve harvested with my own hands, in fact, makes me feel distinctly more American and undoubtedly more human.

Well said Ms. Pellegrini!

 

[303tom]

Some of us have known this for years !

 

[Freedom_fighter_in_IL]

Fried squirrel, scrambled eggs, biscuits, gravy, and a big old glass of ice cold milk! Best dern breakfast that will ever cross your lips!

Squirrel and Dumplings slow simmered in a pressure cooker makes a fine dinner.

Squirrel-Rabbit stew slow cooked in a crock pot with various veggies.

Like Tom said, some of us Hill folk have lived on that for YEARS.

 

[tightgroup tiger]

I grew up on Squirrel, rabbit, Pheasant, and deer. I didn't know what beef tasted like until I about 14 yrs old. When my mother cooked some one day, we wouldn't eat it because it didn't look or smell right.

Some people have really missed out on some of the finer, simpler things in life, like a good squirrel dinner, or roast pheasant.

But you will never tell them that.

 

[tightgroup tiger]

I just saw on the news last night that the experts are thinking now that dark meat is better for you than white meat is. It definately has more taste.

 

[lowerunit411]

i too grew up on wild game and eat a fair amount of it now...the rule where i grew up was: if you can make gravy out of it..its food!

 

[tightgroup tiger]

Here, Here!

 

[Freedom_fighter_in_IL]

the rule where i grew up was: if you can make gravy out of it..its food!

lower, Looks like my grams made your food rules too!

 

[lowerunit411]

not sure where turtle falls in the "white meat dark meat" thing but i know ive eaten many with "cat head" biscuits covered in turtle gravy....not to mention beaver..racoons....ground hogs and well...gravy makin stuff

 

[cottswald]

303tom, that meal looks cooked to perfection! Many folks don't like the "gamey taste" of wild game. I call it just plain "flavor"!

Complimentary to the article, FOX News put out a video. Georgia Pellini does a nice job of outlining the benefits of wild game in "TV talk". She discusses things that most folks don't think about when chomping down on their burger (many of the same folks that are quick to critisize those who take pleasure in the hunt). Nice to see the media at large take note!

Four minutes, well worth the watch for the whole family:
http://video.foxnews.com/v/1370652369001/revolutionizing-way-eat

 

[Zombiphobia]

I don't like 'gamey' meat either. So I soak it in marinade.

Did that with some venison once, mother-in-law whose snobby and won't eat wild game if she knows what it is thought it was prime cut beef, almost had to fight for it.

 

[Freedom_fighter_in_IL]

99.9% of the "gamey" taste is actually where the meat was not processed correctly. All meat needs to be aged and bled out properly. The blood is what makes the gamey taste. I have also noticed that if a deer was dead right there (CNS hit) it also makes for a more tender meat source as well as less gamey. I suppose it may have something to do with adrenaline release. Deer that have run after being shot do seem to be a bit tougher even if I age the meat the same amount of time.

 

[Zombiphobia]

Freedom Fighter, I agree. I think it's hormonal release that does that to the meat. Probably IS adrenaline, but I dunno. I just know a good soak/marinade is a good thing to practice, especially if you're unsure or have run the animal.
If you're uncreative, regular Italian salad dressing for 12-24 hours, well mixed and chilled, will do the trick.
I believe the animals' diet also plays a significant part, too, but I've eaten pure acorn-fed venison that was also amazing.

 

[lowerunit411]

i dont know an animal more stressed than a cow in a slaughter house pen or a chicken or turkey in a crate so small it cant move...in my opinion diet is the reason for varience in taste

 

[Freedom_fighter_in_IL]

i dont know an animal more stressed than a cow in a slaughter house pen or a chicken or turkey in a crate so small it cant move...in my opinion diet is the reason for varience in taste

The difference is those animals are not releasing adrenaline. They have been in captivity of some sorts all of their lives. A shot deer, on the other hand, dumps a HUGE amount of adrenaline which will tighten the muscle groups. It could also very well contribute to the acidic flavor (gamey).

And of course diet is the major factor. Squirrels that have fed primarily off Hickory nuts will taste quite a bit different from those that have fed primarily off of White Oak acorns. Then you have age and sex. All kinds of variables to the flavor and texture of meat.

In big meat processing plants, they use shock plates to tenderize the beef halves. There is actually a fairly new devise out that does the same thing for deer. You put in the probes at the correct location and turn it on. It sends pulses throughout the carcass and tenderizes the deer. Pretty nifty actually. https://www.camdenoutdoors.com/game-tender/how-it-works/

 

[lowerunit411]

actually it is lactic acid and i stand by my thoery that it is diet

 

[lowerunit411]

Adrenalin has absolutely nothing to do with any bitter taste you have experienced with Deer…..Nor does the distance they run after being hit have anything to do with it either…

The Deer’s own Adrenal Gland produces Adrenalin, and it is pumped by the heart directly into the bloodstream as a stress hormone. This chemical gives the Deer and almost instant boost of energy, as it increses the Deers blood glucose (sugar) level in it’s bloodstream…The Adrenalin is confined to the blood stream,arteries and veins only and is excreated (Expelled) thru the kidneys in the Deer’
s own urine. It does not nor is it possible for the Adrenanlin to leech into ANY of the meat. Even if some meat were exposed it would not have any effect on the taste of the venison…..lactic acid is produced when the muscle is exercised...just as in when you exercise your muscles get sore and tired...same same....this is IN the muscle tissue..adrenalin is not...also if the meat isnt cooled out or if stomach contents intermingle with the meat it will make the taste>>>bad....by in large, given this..diet is the main determination. to me deer taste like deer. if you shroud the flavor with a lot of marinades your not tasting the real animal...

 

[msnden]

I just washed the dishes, Venison steak marinated (couple of hours) in olive oil & garlic, sliced thin, pan fried, hash browns & onion, carrots, a nice (cheap) red wine. IT DOESN'T GET ANY BETTER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! msn

 

[788Ham]

303tom,

MAN, that ol' cast iron skillet sure makes that meat look tasty! Mmmmm, then some good flour gravy stirred up with the meat cracklin's......... whew, you know how to eat. Told my Mama I want her ol' skillet when she doesn't want it anymore, she's almost 82 and still cooks like a champ!

 

[Rembrandt]

Ground up some venison to make sausage.....if you've recently bought hamburger, you'll know how much meat is selling for. Just put 100 lbs of ground deer in the fridge.

 

[CmpsdNoMore]

I absolutely LOVE the smell of fresh venison while we're butchering or grinding.
We usually buy low grade beef to save money, but venison is my all time favorite.

I used to hear about how venison was very "gamey" and not very good. Fortunately, last year my father-in-law showed me how to take care of my first deer to make it taste the best. It's amazing!

 

[Sebastian the Ibis]

That ground venison looks delicious. When I was growing up my mother would use ground venison mixed with ground turkey/pork for everything. Meatballs never tasted better!!

Now I'm stuck 8 hours from anywhere to go deer hunting!

 

[AK_Maine_iac]

Damn it you guys made me hungry. The main thing is most people over cook wild game. Med. rare a little olive oil and some lightly fried onions, salt and pepper is all you need. Even water foul and game birds, The only exception is well done with bear meat.
I was raise, if you shoot it, you will eat it. The strangest thing i have eaten is skunk. Believe it or not it was very good. Porcupine liver is the best of all liver.

Think i will take a couple moose prime rib-eyes out of the freezer. Along with some asparagus and baked taters for dinner tonight. With a big glass of ice cold sweet tea.

 

[tahoe2]

When I was on a Pronghorn hunt last Oct. the property owner goes to Alaska or Canadian territories every year. He fed us Caribou, Moose, Elk, & wild boar pork chops for a week, we were in heaven and felt like royalty. We had elk & deer breakfast sausage with hotcakes & eggs in the mornings. He said he seldom, if ever, buys store meat. He got over 750# of meat from his last moose and 400# from his elk, plus Canadian whitetail etc... he had four coffin freezers full of meat. Awesome ! This guy is 66 years old and he kicked my butt(I'm 50 and lean) on a hike into the mountains of Wyoming @ 7200ft. He is amazing and a great guy.