Issue link: http://ssaansw.uberflip.com/i/721881
22 Sporting Shooters Association of Australia (NSW) Inc. Andy's Hunting Guide Hi again hunters, This month I want to touch on a valuable asset that a lot of us walk away from: "Game Meat". It exists on every animal that we harvest, albeit, some is much more palatable than others. I really can't see myself tucking into a fox fillet burger, but lookout when rabbit casserole or venison ragout is on offer. It's hard to beat a good batch of "Billy, Babe and Bambi" bangers, cooked "just so" on the BBQ. I've used this culinary trap to convert quite a number of anti-hunters across to my way of thinking. A notable case worth mentioning is a close family member who was bordering on becoming a complete vegan. Once the good animal welfare outcomes of ethical hunting were explained, and research showed the dietary benefits, this young lady now eats game meat with gusto and looks forward to the fruits of our hunting trips. You don't need to be a butcher; you simply need a bit of patience. If you are a member of a hunting club, pester your committee about running a field butchery course. If you live in the Sydney basin, get yourself out to Silverdale Range where I run a Caping and Butchery course every month. Google or YouTube provide good basic information, as does SSAA TV. If none of these options appeal to you, grab any sharp knife and have a go yourself. A rabbit isn't that hard to skin and gut, goats are a little more work but provide more useful meat. Wild pigs should be treated with caution. If there is evidence of them feeding on carrion (inspect the intestines for hair and bone) don't use this meat. If the intestines are full of vegetation or grain, they don't pose as big a risk. Generally, if the meat and organs from any beast don't look like what you've seen in the butcher's shop, leave it in the bush. From a budget perspective, it's hard to buy any meat for less than $10 per kilo these days. That means that if you harvest 15 kilos from a goat, you've now got $150 worth of meat ideally suited to curries and roasting. Give me a call at the range on 02 4653 1440 if you want any further information, or to book into the course. See you in the bush. Cheers, Andy Mallen Game Meat, The Other Trophy