Advice: Love hunting; don't like the meat

[Norcal18]

I think it comes down to finding a way you like to eat it. Growing up deer was always done in a mold bath, floured and fried- good but not great. Kinda made me not hunt because I didn’t wanna waste the meat. Now in my 30s I’ve got back into it and love it. Cooked the backstraps on the smoker, delicious. Shot my first bear and had half made into jalapeño cheddar summer sausage. Again great and I give those sticks to neighbors and friends who love it. I also do burger since you can season it and it’s not different. Actually had bear smash burgers and my wife made beef ones. I liked the bear better. Also you can just to jerky, my family loves that. As long as it gets eaten I don’t care how it gets cut or ground up. Just gotta find what you like.

 

[Jesse Jaymes]

@Qmandan You're not alone. Had the same moral dilemma for years. I think most of the game meat sucks. I watched so many kids/dude all through my life from High School to current...."Dude...is that venison....fuk yea.....gimme that"

Think a lot is bravado in kids. I gigged frogs as a kid and ate them. My mom "Baked" in an over every critter I ever shot. Most was horrible.

I take very good care of the game I harvest and process my own. No hair, no questionable quality cuts, dirt etc.

The whole kitchen smells of Goat when I cook. And I simply do the best I can to choke it down.

How many influencers, podcasters, etc preach "High quality, low fat, organic meat".....then tell you "We add 68 pounds of pork fat" or tallow, or beef or whatever else?? You just took a shit in your soup!

I've been a die hard waterfowler. When I met my wife that was her rule (anti Hunter then) "You shoot it....you eat it". Plugging my nose trying to consume an entire limit of mallards and widgeon. Buried in whatever type of red vinegar, Brazilian marinade or what have you...to bury the funk. Pretty shitty.

This is your own moral issue. But as long as you are not wanton waste.....I don't think you're a POS.

 

[HairyScandinavian]

The problem with photography is most people will just end up sitting around RMNP or some other area for pictures. Kinda hard to hike the backcountry for days on end trying to get close to a raghorn when you can easily go take pictures of a pet beast in the park.

I like the suggestion of taking up Wolf hunting. Use your skills to help your fellow hunter with things you don't have to eat.

 

[Blowdowner]

You should bring a really good camera during the season and document all the hoofed animals you can photograph under 500 yards. Bring your rifle. And if you see a rack bigger than your current record, that's the one thing you shoot. The photos are acceptable to share with all types of people and if they're hunters you say "this was 200 yards I could have easily cranked him".

My other suggestion is hunt birds and small game.