Hunting is something my boys really enjoy.  As much as they like to hunt, the experience teaches them many things.  They have to learn to sit and be still and quiet.  This is harder for some than others.  It gives them time to observe nature and praise the Creator.  It teaches patience.  I have had to remind my sons on several occasions that the sport is called hunting and not killing for a reason.

Hunting is something that bonds the men in our family.  Grandfathers, uncles, fathers, and sons spend time with one another.  Last week, my oldest son called me soon after he dropped his target.  He said, “Mom, I’m bringing home the bacon.”  And that is what I love most about hunting.  Young men and/or young women getting to experience the joy of providing for their family.

Earlier this year during dove season, my sons went with their uncles on a day hunt.  They came home with the day’s catch already prepared for cooking.  The uncles told my sons that the dove were theirs to eat.  They did not have to share them.  Even though my mouth was watering, I smiled and agreed to uphold the deal.

We wrapped the dove with bacon and placed them on skewers.  Then my husband grilled them perfectly.  My boys privately decided to share the dove with all of us.  Their faces beamed as they surprised each of us with our portion of dove.  One confided in me that really was more fun to give than to receive.

There are many ways that you can provide food for your family.  You can go to the grocery store like most people.  You can raise your own vegetables.  You can hunt and fish.  You can also raise your own meat.

My son, Jake, recently decided that he wanted to help provide food for his family.  He kept this thoughts secret as he carefully considered our needs and his abilities to find a way that he could accomplish his goal.  Last week he divulged not only this desire but also his plan to Lane and I.

Jake had already called a local pig farmer and had negotiated to purchase two young hogs.  They are not show quality; therefore, they were affordable for Jake.  Surprised by this news, my husband agreed to take Jake to the farm to complete the purchase.  The farmer selected several pigs from which Jake could choose.  Jake thoughtfully selected two and actually secured a better price than what had been discussed on the phone.

When Jake returned home with his pigs, he was beaming.  He smiled and shouted, “Merry Christmas, Mom!  I’m giving you and Dad your present early!”  So now he is raising two pigs in order to help provide meat for his family.

I have no doubt that my boys will be good providers for their future families.  They already do an excellent job as children.  Regardless of how they provide food, they are learning the joy of giving and gaining a sense of accomplishment for their efforts.  Bringing home the bacon even if it is really venison or pork helps build the character of young people.

If your child is interested in hunting, allow them to pursue it on an age/maturity appropriate level.  My boys begin by spending their first year hunting with only binoculars.  They must learn to sit quietly before they hunt armed with a gun.  If your child is interested in gardening or raising animals for meat, then help them find a way to do it.  If these are impossibilities in your family, then you can still allow your child to earn money and shop for a particular meal.  They can purchase the ingredients and help you prepare it.  You will not only enjoy the fresh meat and vegetables or meal, but your children will learn so much in the process.  It really is a win-win for your family.

My husband loves to make sausage.  His favorite is link sausage and mine is pan sausage so he makes both.  With pan sausage, you can make breakfast patties.  I love to use it instead of ground beef in lasagna, meatballs, and spaghetti with meat sauce.  Venison is so lean that Lane combines it with pork.

Because of the lack of fat, my husband injects the venison ham with melted butter and wraps it up tight with heavy duty foil before he smokes a venison ham on his pit.  Smoked venison ham is delicious.  It will last us a few days.

We also cut the shoulder or ham into thin slices.  I pound them out with the bottom of a glass.  We like to grill these slices with jalapenos and cream cheese wrapped in bacon.  They are simply delicious.  They make a good appetizer or dinner depending on how many you make.

We cut the backstrap and tenderloin into palm-sized slices.  We fry them as chicken-fried steak and serve it with mashed potatoes and cream gravy.  This is my family’s favorite dinner.  I included both the grilled venison popper, chicken-fried steak, and cream gravy recipes in my cookbook, Texas Homesteader Wheat-Free Cookbook.  I know that you will enjoy them.

At times we have smoked venison ribs, but that is my least favorite way to eat this healthy meat.  We grind up whatever is left and combine it with beef fat to make ground venison.  You use it just like any ground beef.  Make venison burgers, tacos, meatloaf, etc.  Venison is very versatile.

Some people wrinkle their noses when they hear the word venison.  They usually think two things.  One that venison is gamey and two that it is tough.  It can be, if you do not properly handle the meat and process it correctly.  Guests at our house are usually surprised that they are eating venison because it is neither of the two things.

You must gut the deer as soon as possible.  This is mandatory!  My husband and boys quarter the deer and put it on ice for at least one week.  This ensures that the meat will bleed out.  Every morning Lane drains the cooler and adds more ice.  Then we process the meat for consumption.  We weigh out the sausage and ground venison.  Then, we either use our food saver or wrap the meat in white butcher paper.

When I was a little girl, the show “Dallas” was really popular.  I remember one episode towards the end of the show when JR went deer hunting in Arkansas.  He tied the deer to the hood of his car and drove back to Dallas.  It is so ridiculous!  He could not have used the meat or the hide.  You would think that the show’s writers would have done just a little research.  Whatever you do, do not model JR’s treatment of the deer.

Since deer are wild animals, they are not given antibiotics, growth hormones, steroids, or any other additives.  They live in the wild with the occasional hunter feeding them some corn.  Consequently, venison is very lean and low in cholesterol.  Venison is an excellent source of iron, zinc, vitamin B3, B6, and B12 as well as riboflavin.  If you don’t believe me, click here for venison’s nutritional facts.

Take advantage of deer season to harvest your own meat.  Venison is very healthy to eat and versatile to prepare.  Venison is a great red meat.