Montana Mule Deer Hunt

[Cyndi B.]

This years Montana deer hunt. Nothing compared to the trophies hanging in the locker but a lot less investment. We were six days away from our Montana home and feared for the worse expecting to come home to broken water lines since the temps in Sidney got down to -16 but everything was warm and running and it snowed. Last time we lived in Sidney they had record snowfall. They don't move snow in Montana like they do Iowa. If it doesn't blow away on it's own or melt, it stays until spring.

[cpaharley2008]

and these pictures have what connection to FGRV?

[Frederick L. Simson]

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

and these pictures have what connection to FGRV?

I moved this topic to the "Hobbies" forum from "General Chat" and made the title more specific, so those members who do not wish to participate in this discussion may decide to avoid it.

[Eddie Longest]

Hunting is a hobby for some and a passion for others, looks to be in the correct area. Nice racks.
Eddie

[Harvey]

Nice 'mulies' Cyndi, betcha y'all will enjoy that venison. Hunted Montana in 2006 for pronghorn. Had a great time & good success. Only time I've been fortunate enough to hunt Montana. Congrats! Did your hunters use the FG 5-er or the big one?

[rabbit]

Locker full of white packages; way it should be. Congrats on a a good hunt and pipes Ok at home.

jack

[Ken C]

Maybe the description will help you Jim,
"Similar to "Cheers" format, don't take anything too seriously. Come hang out, meet your friends."

Cheers

[Jim Bennett]

Originally Posted by Ken C

Maybe the description will help you Jim,
"Similar to "Cheers" format, don't take anything too seriously. Come hang out, meet your friends."

Cheers

In fairness to Jim, Frederick changed the title to better represent what the content was about, plus he moved it to a more appropriate forum.

[Glenn Baglo]

Does that mean I can post my pole dancing pix?

[peterh]

Why, yes, Glen. That would go in "Jokes, Stories, and Tall Tales."

Like a packing a trailer, a place for everything and everything in its place.

[Jim Bennett]

Originally Posted by Glenn Baglo

Does that mean I can post my pole dancing pix?

Of you, no! Of others, put it by the mod staff first. Though I have seen some videos lately of pole dancing that is pretty much all acrobatic, and some very great talent.

Now, you could post a photo of those fish we keep hearing that you are catching......

[Francesca Knowles]

Originally Posted by Cyndi B.

This years Montana deer hunt. Nothing compared to the trophies hanging in the locker but a lot less investment. We were six days away from our Montana home and feared for the worse expecting to come home to broken water lines since the temps in Sidney got down to -16 but everything was warm and running and it snowed. Last time we lived in Sidney they had record snowfall. They don't move snow in Montana like they do Iowa. If it doesn't blow away on it's own or melt, it stays until spring.

Makes my mouth water just to look at 'em...how'd they dress out?

You're blessed to have hunters in the family- I have to content myself with the occasional quarter from one of my merciful hunter friends...but what a treat when we're actually lucky enough to get one. My pal Luther even gave me some homemade venison summer sausage he'd made- that was so good I was tempted to hide it from my husband and hog it all for myself...but my Catholic conscience got the better of me!

[Cyndi B.]

Thank you for all the positive feedback. I can remember the years when it didn't matter if there were horns. It was meat. I am so proud of my Eagle Scouts except for them using a Garmin that took them to places far, far down a road they should not have gone. They returned.

[Francesca Knowles]

Originally Posted by Cyndi B.

They returned.

And they brought home the bacon, too.

Wish my catch-and-release fisherman husband would do that more often....given the investment in equipment etc., I think the few fresh-caught fish I ate this year must have cost about four hundred dollars a pound!

[papa-t]

Congrats on the deer. Freezer full of nice meat I bet.

[Roger C H]

Judging by the outside temp, (-16) they would put it in the freezer to keep it warm!
LOL
Venison is fine, but I prefer elk.

[melissab]

Question: Is there a secret to making venison taste less "gamey" or do you just get used to it? My Dad has hunted the last 3 or so years since my folks purchased property in WY yet gives his deer away to a neighbor every time because my folks don't like how it tastes. I've never got to try it so don't know what "wild flavor" they are referring to. Now they do like the turkeys he gets so they must not have that same type of flavor. He hasn't been able to get an elk tag yet so don't know if they taste better.

Melissa

[Hambone]

Melissa
one thing to do is get the animal cooled down as quickly as possible, not just gutting it but also skinning it. The hide can retain a lot of heat. Hunting for pronghorn last year in Wyoming in 90 degree weather was a challenge. got our animals, gutted and brought back to house and immediately skinned, quartered and dunked them in cooler full of ice and water. We also hang when skinning head down to get blood to drain out parts you are not using (head). Then also careful trimming before packaging to get rid of the tallow. Usually in Minnesota it isnt such a big deal since the deer hunt is in freezing temps. Elk to me is the Angus of the four legged wild animals

[Jim Bennett]

Originally Posted by Roger C H

Venison is fine, but I prefer elk.

Elk meat is venison, which is a term synonymous with meat from all antlered animals. I have to agree, it is one of the best.

When I used to hunt, we always seemed to have an abundance of moose venison. Lots of roasts and steaks, but primarily used it for ground meat and some different sausages.

I also preferred White Tail meat over Mule Deer, but both were very good.

Tom is right on the money, that all game needs to be cooled down ASAP. In warm weather it can be tubs of ice, or what I prefer is submersing into a cold creek. Hanging it at just above freezing for a week or so really helps age the meat nicely, but is something that is hard to control for most hunters. I used to always butcher my own meet, but started to use a butcher, as they could control the temp of the beat better as it cured. A bit costlier, but with WAY better results.

[Francesca Knowles]

Tastiest wild meat I ever ate in my life was moose that some friends brought back from Alaska. We used it for one of our dinner-on-a-stick bonfire cookouts, and flashroasted still rare I think it was superior in flavor to the best prime rib. And tender! You bet.