All things venison

Yes, the using the PM function is a great way to have discussions that might not fit the parameters of the board.  It's a good way to share ideas without the risk of unwanted attacks, no matter what your views are on controversial topics and you can share and explore them with those who can understand your point of view even if they may not accept it.

When I lived in Minnesota, the local Elks lodge would put on an annual moose feed. They did a slow-cook "pulled moose" style that was very good in sandwiches and other serving methods that would tolerate "unconstructed meat" style.

Originally posted by Leo B As long as they are cooked right, bear and moose are as good if not better that venison, IMHO.

I don't know about moose, or bear.. but if I ever get the chance, I will invite them into the truck too.. We do have elk here, and I have had it. I would say the same about it as far as taste..

But one thing to note, lots of people who cook deer, have no clue what they are doing, so there are many people who have had the opportunity to "try it" and don't like it.. Never happened at my house or camp.

My late FIL got a deer in Kansas or Colorado years before I met them, he couldn't cook canned soup, IME, but he cooked that deer.. his whole, extended family, hated deer... Then I came along. Took a few years to get them all to try it again.. Now they all can't wait for deer season..

And my wife is a mighty huntress in her own right.

I do like a good pheasant pie!   

I don't know what is done in other States but, Indiana has program to help the less fortunate (kind of cool IMHO):

https://www.in.gov/dnr/lawenfor/3987.htm

The story of deer, in Indiana, is a curious one. While I need to refresh my memory on the published dates, I’ll talk “generally”.

Roughly at the turn of the 20th century, there was a day when a shot rang out in the woods and the last deer fell. Or, perhaps it was a fierce growling and showing of fangs. We can’t know for certain. Deer were no more. Between hunting for sport and food, along with their natural predators (like wolves) the last one was taken.

In roughly the same time period, predators like the wolf, were being extinguished in earnest. They killed our farm animals and livestock, even threatening humans at times. They had to go!

Between the need for food and the desire for sport, it was decided to re-introduce deer in the State. Deer also helped to keep some vegetation in check with what they ate. An important part of the ecosystem had been disturbed and needed fixing.

With their natural predators gone, deer flourished in a big way. The ecosystem can only support “so many”, especially with ever shrinking habitat, due to construction growth. We have to hunt them to keep their numbers in check. Otherwise, many would die a cruel death of starvation.

Though not a hunter myself, I have a certain reverence/respect (I’m not sure how to say it) for those that do hunt. They carry on a tradition of our not too distant ancestors and play a vital roll in keeping the ecosystem balanced, in “harvesting” excessive game populations.
Here in Indiana, “hunting” has been trending downward for several decades, as evidenced by the number of licenses sold. Personally, I would find it sad if this activity were to go away.