52Ponds Posted September 13, 2013 Share Posted September 13, 2013 I love to hunt and fish. I share that passion with other family members, and in a special way with my young sons. In my fridge/freezer now: Venison Chain pickerel Blue crab Yellow perch Hunting season is starting up, so with hope and some work there may soon be: More venison Squirrel (the best, yum!) Quail (wild stock, pen raised) Pheasant (wild stock, pen raised) Chukar/partridge (wild stock, pen raised) Ruffed grouse Woodcock / timberdoodle Other fishing outings can sometimes bring: Striped bass Trout (hatchery raised) Bass (our favorite) Flounder Blue fish Norther pike I don't water fowl hunt at present, but my brother who does offers: Canadian goose Various ducks We are blessed in North America with an abundance of wild and wild harvested fish and meat. Truly blessed. Anybody else? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sharon Simpson Thumann Posted September 13, 2013 Share Posted September 13, 2013 No, but I am jealous! Such lovely varieties! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
52Ponds Posted September 14, 2013 Author Share Posted September 14, 2013 Sharon, lots of great fishing to be had in Florida! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArcheoGator Posted September 14, 2013 Share Posted September 14, 2013 I am in FL also! I have always been a fisherman, but I am limited to panfish and cat without a boat. I am hoping to get my weight down by spring to get a kayak. I would love to navigate some of these lakes for small mouth. Cedar Key is not too far, so I also want to get into some saltwater. They have a nice pier there. I am gearing up for my first hunting season (at 35). I will be limited to public land, and I am not sure what I am going for yet. For now, I only have a 12 ga, so I may go for small game and possibly turkey. I would like to pick up a .30-06 or a .30-30 for deer and hog, but finances will make this wait. I figure this is a perfect activity as my food choices are changing. You can't beat fresh game and vegetables. I would appreciate any tips you have for a new hunter. Take care. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
52Ponds Posted September 14, 2013 Author Share Posted September 14, 2013 ArcheoGator, that's terrific! I've gotten back to hunting the last several years, after growing up with it and then not participating for way too long. I'm no expert, but am enjoying the learning curve. I hunt deer with a 12ga smooth bore pump shotgun with a scope. I use Remington rifled slugs, 1oz. It's accurate out to 65yards.The longest shot I have from the stand is no more than 50 yards. I'd like a .30-06 or a .308, but really don't need it for where I'm hunting, and like you money is tight. My 11yo son is going on his first deer hunt this year. He's been hunting squirrels the last couple of years. My 8yo boy comes along too, but he's not ready to shoot in the field yet. I've got the 11yo set up this year for deer with a 20ga smooth bore shotgun with rifled slugs. Access to hunting land has been the most challenging thing for me. I'm blessed in that a couple of years ago I got in with a group that owns some private land. I get to deer hunt there in trade for working on the trails and the stands in the summer. We've all become friends in the process, so the comradery is the best thing about it. I hunt public land mostly for squirrels and birds, as well as preserves for some birds. Finding land to hunt on is a hobby in itself around here. My brother has been kayak fishing and kayak waterfowling the last few years. He's using a Hobie with the foot pedal power system, and installed an electric trolling motor. I'm planning on gearing up this winter with a couple kayaks. I'm looking at the Nucanoe. Like anyone, I'd love a bass boat but just can't afford it or the upkeep. Seems like more and more people are kayak fishing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArcheoGator Posted September 14, 2013 Share Posted September 14, 2013 I question using my shotgun for deer or hog. It is a Winchester Model 12, 1931. It has a fixed, full choke, and I have been told by many to not use slugs. That would limit me to buckshot, which I am then told can make a mess of deer and hog. Being new to this, I just do not know. For using public land, I just plan on (hopefully) going deeper than others. I know that Florida itself is what makes Florida hunting difficult. Though I am new to hunting, I have been in FL for 30 years (all but 5 of my life) so I am not new to the FL outdoors. Also, if I wait until small game for the WMAs, the deer hunters will be gone. Ideally, I would love to join a hunt club soon but openings are rare and prices are steep. I hear ya about the bass boat. It is the saying that it is better to know someone with a boat than to own a boat. Kayaks are by far cheaper, easier, and you can use them in areas where engines are not allowed. Also, I look forward to throwing it on the truck and using it as me time. A buddy has a canoe, so we panfish in the Withlacoochee, and use the Rainbow for swimming. It is nice to dock the canoe away from others to find good swimming areas. I am going to check out the Nucanoe. Keep in touch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
52Ponds Posted September 14, 2013 Author Share Posted September 14, 2013 Yeah, I wouldn't use a full choke for slugs. I use an improved cylinder on a Mossberg 500. As far as buckshot, I don't have experience. It's only allowed here in Pennsylvania in certain areas and only during a a special late season in those areas. By my thinking, if you're hunting meat and not trophies and that's what you have and it's allowed, no harm in trying it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArcheoGator Posted September 14, 2013 Share Posted September 14, 2013 Doh, I thought you were in FL as well, but now I see you were just making a comment to Sharon. FL allows buckshot for hog and deer. In fact, there are WMAs that are shotgun only, and a few that require buckshot and no slugs. If I am within 50 yds, buckshot may do the trick. I'll think about it; here in FL the landscape forces you to be close anyway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sharon Simpson Thumann Posted September 16, 2013 Share Posted September 16, 2013 I live in Naples! True I can fish anytime but it's not fun when you don't have someone to keep ya company. Blegh..maybe I'll just go it alone. As far as hunting.. I am not a hunter..but I'd really like to go on one of the guided wild hog hunts they have close to here. I haven't eaten venison in many years, it's something I grew up as my Dad would hunter every year to put a deer in the freezer along with our beef and pork. My dad no longer hunts and I don't know anyone else who hunts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paminky Posted September 24, 2013 Share Posted September 24, 2013 My husband and I love to fish and are avid striper fishermen. I also love panfish and cat which we can catch out of our pond but we also get some on the lake that we striper fish on. My husband and stepson are the hunters in the family, I'm not much into hunting unless it's wild mushrooms, wild greens or blackberries. We usually get 2-3 deer each year and a steady supply of waterfowl, I make a oven baked "beef" stew from Canada goose breast that is delicious. This past weekend was an early season woodduck and teal and I've got some freash meat from both in the fridge to be fixed for dinner one night and have found a oven baked dish that uses the breast and is baked with apples and onions which I'm going to try. We usually take at least one deer to the Amish to have made into summer sausage and jerky that we give as gifts in Christmas baskets and everybody loves it. I'm really wanting an elk for the freezer. I've only had elk a few times and if it's cooked right it tastes like prime beef, surprisingly tender for such lean meat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Summer Posted September 24, 2013 Share Posted September 24, 2013 My husband just got an elk (archery) Saturday. My first experience from calling it in, bugling in front of me 15 yards, and him getting it with an arrow. Wow. He has been hunting for 17 years so harvesting the elk was no big thing for him, but for me it was the first time I saw this whole process go down. I might need counseling, JK!. The amount of lean meat on these things is amazing. I have been eating lots of elk this last year too. I haven't figured out how to cook it right yet, but working on that. It really seems to be all in the way you cook it for good flavor. We wanted to make jerky and sausage out of it too, but I am positive what they put in this stuff is not 100% clean. In fact, I but the suet they are going to add in the ground burger is from grain fed cattle. UGH! Just kinda bums me out to have this perfectly clean animal and then the additives are crap. Hmph. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
52Ponds Posted September 24, 2013 Author Share Posted September 24, 2013 Congratulations on the elk! I make my own jerky and ground venison. Up to now, I've used grain fed pork for the ground meat. I'll get better quality pork to add this season if all goes well with the deer hunts. So much more meat on an elk. Would it make sense though to get a grinder? I just use a Kitchen Aid with a grinding attachment. Probably not robust enough to process an elk. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
52Ponds Posted September 24, 2013 Author Share Posted September 24, 2013 I'm not much into hunting unless it's wild mushrooms,.. What's the trick to getting safe edible mushrooms? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Summer Posted September 25, 2013 Share Posted September 25, 2013 52Ponds, thanks! Looking forward to trying this one, and we got a deer too (muzzleloader), so we should have quite a bit of meat. Any good recipes for jerky you have without sugar? I know I can find them online but would rather use somebody's suggestion who has tried (and loved) it. Are you saying you use pork to ADD to the ground meat? As far as the grinder, well, I think that process would be a great experience to do a few times, but in the end, it is an all day affair. My husband has done it, but it is a lot of work as I am sure you know. I'd rather get a dehydrator. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
homerfrizzell Posted September 25, 2013 Share Posted September 25, 2013 Good stuff. I go deer hunting every year with my dad and brother in Vermont. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JWJones Posted September 25, 2013 Share Posted September 25, 2013 What's the trick to getting safe edible mushrooms? I would recommend the book "Mushrooms Demystified" by David Aurora (considered the bible on the subject), and find your local mushroom society for possible foraging/indentification outings. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vanniek71 Posted September 26, 2013 Share Posted September 26, 2013 I am a hunter, grew up doing it every weekend. Live in Colorado now and can't wait to get an Elk and a freezer full of meat! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Summer Posted September 26, 2013 Share Posted September 26, 2013 I'm in Colorado too, now up in Gunnison. Where about are you? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vanniek71 Posted September 26, 2013 Share Posted September 26, 2013 I'm in Westminster on the other side of the hills I get over to Gunnison quite a bit though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Summer Posted September 26, 2013 Share Posted September 26, 2013 Oh, ok! I use to live there too, 128th and Zuni. Good luck with your elk!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vanniek71 Posted September 26, 2013 Share Posted September 26, 2013 Summer, Just read your post about jerky, check out biltong... No sugar and essentially jerky, but you don't use heat to cure it, it's chemically cured with vinegar. I made some last year it was delicious! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Summer Posted September 26, 2013 Share Posted September 26, 2013 Vanniek71, Boy, I learn something new every single day. My next job, "Biltong Maker", hee hee. THANKS! That is strange stuff, never heard about it. We may consider that but have to read more about it. Do we need to make a box? Did you? Ingredients are simple sounding though for sure. Appreciate it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArcheoGator Posted September 27, 2013 Share Posted September 27, 2013 Looks like I will be giving it a go in October. Either hog or small game, but I am at least going to get out to try. Not sure if I'll do buck this year, but I'll be on the lookout. Then there is possibly turkey come March, not sure if I'll do autumn gobbler. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
52Ponds Posted September 27, 2013 Author Share Posted September 27, 2013 52Ponds, thanks! Looking forward to trying this one, and we got a deer too (muzzleloader), so we should have quite a bit of meat. Any good recipes for jerky you have without sugar? I know I can find them online but would rather use somebody's suggestion who has tried (and loved) it. Are you saying you use pork to ADD to the ground meat? As far as the grinder, well, I think that process would be a great experience to do a few times, but in the end, it is an all day affair. My husband has done it, but it is a lot of work as I am sure you know. I'd rather get a dehydrator. I need to find/try a new recipe that doesn't use sugar. Every batch I've made in the past has used it. No more though! Any thoughts? Yes, I use pork in a ratio of 2/3 venison to 1/3 pork. That's for making sausage. I just ground up the last of the cubed venison from last season and used the same ratio but didn't make sausage this time. I went upland bird hunting today. It was my Springer Spaniel pup's first hunt. She did great. Put a chukar partridge in the fridge. Perfectly beautiful Pennsylvania fall day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Summer Posted September 27, 2013 Share Posted September 27, 2013 52Ponds, Thanks. I guess I will have to figure out the sausage making too at some point. We should have enough game to experiment on some of this stuff. I am thinking of this recipe from Mr. Robb Wolf for the jerky - - http://robbwolf.com/2011/05/11/diy-maple-sage-beef-jerky-recipe/ You can leave OUT the maple syrup if you want it says. Your bird hunt sounds awesome too! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.