'Tis Hunting Time—A smallish blog

[Shelby]

It's Monday already.  Maybe I say this every time, but this trip really flew.

 

The guys did end up at the shooting house yesterday morning.  Decided not to shoot anything, just watched the deer.

 

Deer next to the feeder on a very frosty morning

 

 

We have so many leftovers that when they got home I just opened up the fridge and said "have at it" lol.  After they ate they went out and worked on the deer.  It's all ready for me to bring inside and clean it up and carve.  It's in pieces in the outside fridge.  I might put that off until tomorrow. Or maybe I'll get a spurt of energy later.  Anyway, while they did that I put together another charcuterie board.  Mostly the same as the first one.

 

 

Then I slowly began dinner prep.  I was bad at taking pictures.  I blame the wine LOL.  Took a couple boneless, skinless chicken breasts out of the freezer and threw them in a pot to Sous Vide for a couple hours.  After that I seasoned them up with cumin, garlic, salt, pepper and seared them.  Then I chopped them up, mixed them with sour cream, green onions and hatch chiles that I had frozen a couple months ago.  Then it struck me that I hadn't thought about what kind of sauce I was going to make for the enchiladas.  Panic.  OH "head smack" I made tomato/tomatillo sauce and froze that.  Perfect.  Easy.  Thawed that out.  Rolled flour tortillas up with the chicken mixture, poured the sauce over, covered with cheese.  Baked at 350F for about 45 mins.  Yum.

 

 

I made guacamole and opened a jar of the next best thing to homemade salsa Hell on the Red.

 

 

 Also warmed up a jar of this:

 

 

I LOVE this stuff.  It's good cold or warmed.  Oh and I did some RG midnight beans in the IP.  

 

Our friends plate:

 

 

That wraps this trip up.  I'll be back when the next adventure arises   Thanks so much for hanging out with me again  

 

 

[Smithy]

Thanks so much for bringing us along, @Shelby! I'm always inspired and impressed by your spreads, and I love the context you provide by telling about the hunt (or non-hunt).

[ElsieD]

Thanks, @Shelby.  I always enjoy your blogs.  Safe journey home to your hunter friend.

[gfweb]

Whats the status of deer wasting disease in your area?  It's becoming a  big deal up here in the center of the state.

https://www.wesa.fm/environment-energy/2023-12-04/pennsylvania-game-commission-chronic-wasting-disease-rules

[rotuts]

wow

 

''''  drop off deer heads for testing in one of the game commission’s collection bins  '''

 

now that's an image that ' sticks '

[Shelby]

9 minutes ago, gfweb said:

Whats the status of deer wasting disease in your area?  It's becoming a  big deal up here in the center of the state.

https://www.wesa.fm/environment-energy/2023-12-04/pennsylvania-game-commission-chronic-wasting-disease-rules

This is from the KS Fish and Game Dept:

 

As of 30 June 2023, CWD has been detected in 974 cervids, including 2 captive elk, 1 captive mule deer, and 971 wild, free-ranging deer. All Surveillance Zones in Kansas now have CWD detections. CWD surveillance began in 1996 and, to date, 35,534 cervids have been sampled and tested for CWD.

 

HUNTERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO USE ELECTRONIC DEER CHECK-IN (E-TAG) OR LEAVE EVIDENCE OF SEX ATTACHED TO THE CARCASS. THEN, BONE-OUT DEER, AND LEAVE CARCASSES IN THE COUNTIES WHERE DEER ARE TAKEN. MOVING CARCASSES MOVES PRIONS AND CWD TO NEW LOCATIONS!

--------------------------------------------------

 

 

 

Ronnie says where we hunt there has been maybe one report of CWD.

 

Today I cleaned, cut and packaged the backstraps

 

 

 

 

Then we tackled the grinding

 

I cleaned and cut smaller this sink full of meat

 

 

 

Ronnie got some beef fat from the grocery store.  This cost a total of $11.  I remember when it used to be free.

 

 

 

After the first grind

 

 

After the second grind

 

 

 

 

 

60 lbs of burger all tucked away in the freezer   

 

 

 

 

 

[gfweb]

2 hours ago, rotuts said:

wow

 

''''  drop off deer heads for testing in one of the game commission’s collection bins  '''

 

now that's an image that ' sticks '

 

The assumption is that prions are limited to CNS and not in peripheral nerves...

 

In any event,  fortunately no signs of CWD in venison eaters or hunters.

[rotuts]

what's the time constant ( ingestion to symptoms ) in mad cow ?

 

hopefully prions are only in the cns .

Edited December 6, 2023 by rotuts (log)

[gfweb]

31 minutes ago, rotuts said:

what's the time constant ( ingestion to symptoms ) in mad cow ?

 

hopefully prions are only in the cns .

I found a paper where people got CJD from a corneal transplant (which isn't CNS of course).  The time to detecting CJD was 3 to 18 years.

So not mad cow, but a similar disease where exposure date was known

Edited December 6, 2023 by gfweb (log)

[SLB]

This was published today:  https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/19/dining/missouri-high-school-hunting-farm-to-table-program.html?unlocked_article_code=1.eE0.TFOv.3vU--GYoOZoj&smid=url-share

 

It doesn't really go in this thread, but -- Shelby, it made me think of you.  It's true that I don't know you or Ronnie in all the ways that matter for this, but I immediately thought, OMG KANSAS KIDS COULD GET A MODULE FROM YOU TWO!!! Plus, Chum . . . .

Edited March 20 by SLB (log)

[Shelby]

15 minutes ago, SLB said:

This was published today:  https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/19/dining/missouri-high-school-hunting-farm-to-table-program.html?unlocked_article_code=1.eE0.TFOv.3vU--GYoOZoj&smid=url-share

 

It doesn't really go in this thread, but -- Shelby, it made me think of you.  It's true that I don't know you or Ronnie in all the ways that matter for this, but I immediately thought, OMG KANSAS KIDS COULD GET A MODULE FROM YOU TWO!!! Plus, Chum . . . .

Well I sure wish this had been around when I was in school!  Learning how to clean and butcher and cook --invaluable lessons.

 

Thanks for sharing this.  

[rotuts]

 @SLB

 

thank you for the reference.

 

pleased to read it.

 

 

[SLB]

2 hours ago, rotuts said:

pleased to read it.

 

I was, too! 

 

I'm not entirely sure why; it just . . . landed.  HomeEc has gone the way of cursive; and this just seemed like, well -- like some basic, functional education.  Children:  let's discuss our *food*.  

[Shelby]

Hello!  Quick little update.  Our friend was scheduled to come in the month of September for the usual dove/duck hunting and also to help (as usual) with some major repairs that needed to be done.  The monster storm that knocked the barn out was also hard on the shooting house etc.  However, due do a health issue, he had to reschedule to late in October.  It was still terribly hot so no birds were around to hunt.  It was all work and no play, unfortunately.   So, I didn't do the usual blog while he was here.  A few pictures were taken, however, so I'll share now.  He'll return early in December for deer season so hopefully we will be back to our regularly scheduled program lol.

 

Did a little Halloween decorating--which I'm staring at now knowing that I need to get busy and take it down and put Christmas up.  Sigh.  Time flies.

 

 

 

Pumpkin patch was stellar this year.  The farmers brought their cows over to stay for a while so I'll be going out to give them pumpkins to eat every day.  I love doing that.

 

 

They built from scratch and new shooting tower that fits just one person.  The bigger tower is all ready to go too.  Here's a few shots of the new one:

 

 

 

 

They built it in the driveway, took it apart for transport and then rebuilt it out in the pasture.  Lotta work.

 

I did much of the usual food.....lots of meat and cheese boards for snacking

 

 

Venison cheeseburger pizza 

 

 

Apple galette with caramel sauce

 

 

This was a lunch

 

 

Anyway, like I said, just a fast hello so you know we didn't fall off the face of the earth  

 

I'm headed over to the appetizer thread to see if I can find something new and inspiring to make.  See you over here Dec. 4th.

 

 

 

[FauxPas]

26 minutes ago, Shelby said:

Pumpkin patch was stellar this year.  The farmers brought their cows over to stay for a while so I'll be going out to give them pumpkins to eat every day.  I love doing that.

 

I would enjoy taking them to the cows, also! 

 

Do you do much baking/cooking with the pumpkins? I can't really remember if you do or not. 

 

Your food looks delicious and so attractively presented. That apple galette looks very appealing. 

[Shelby]

2 minutes ago, FauxPas said:

 

I would enjoy taking them to the cows, also! 

 

Do you do much baking/cooking with the pumpkins? I can't really remember if you do or not. 

 

Your food looks delicious and so attractively presented. That apple galette looks very appealing. 

Aw thank you!!!

 

I had a moment a few years ago and made a ton of pumpkin soup and froze it.  I never ate it and threw it all out lol.  So, no.  The cows get them all now.

[Shelby]

It's pumpkin time!

 

[Shelby]

Good morning!  Our hunter friend arrived yesterday morning.  They went out to lunch and then headed out to the deer field.  They saw some but nothing was gotten.

 

 

I got the house all decorated for Christmas.  Bought a new blanket to snuggle up in when it's nice enough to sit on the porch--I like looking at the lights on the tree.  Loving this new porch furniture.

 

 

 

As I've said a million times I'm always trying to think of something new and exciting to send along with them for breakfast but nothing ever materializes and I settle on the good ole breakfast burrito.  Easy to eat on the go.

 

I needed to make 8 burritos --sausage, cheese, egg, tater tots, onions and pickled jalapeños. 

 

 

I only got 7 out of what I cooked up SIGH.  🙄.  Instead of cooking up more sausage I opted to just dice up some ham I had in the fridge.  Also had to make more eggs.  I am so bad at gauging how much food will make enough of what I need.

 

 

So, one lucky winner will get ham lol.

 

 

 

We picked up a huge brisket a few weeks ago,  cut it in 4ths, cold smoked it, vac packed and froze.  Took one out to thaw Tuesday morning.

 

 

Tuesday evening at 7 I put it in the SV.  24 hours at 155F

 

Deer season is always kind of tricky...they don't get home some nights until dinner is almost ready.  Last night was one of those but I went ahead and made a quick dip so they would have something to munch on--just sour cream and this mix:

 

 

 

Broth from the brisket

 

 

Scalloped potatoes

 

 

Green beans, bacon and onions

 

 

Brisket and jalapeño cheese sausages

 

 

 

 

 

It's a real feel of 19F and it's windy.  Not sure if anything will be moving around but we'll see.  I'm not moving around lol.  Hope to take it a bit easier today.  At least I don't have to make breakfast

 

Scout really hates deer season.....she's not quiet and patient like Chum so she's stuck at home with me....staring at the door lol......

 

 

I'm off to ponder dinner

  

Edited December 5 by Shelby (log)

[lindag]

I don't think you have enough cheese.  😁

[Smithy]

I'm so glad to see you blogging again! I have to admit that your scenery looks strange, though. No snow? It's snowy here already.

 

I'd happily take any one of those breakfast burritos. Or that brisket. Or those sausages. Or those potatoes. Or...or...or...well, any of it! Did you make those sausages?

[Katie Meadow]

@Shelby I'm just curious. Last night I read a long piece in the Nation magazine about Chronic Wasting Disease, or CWD. It describes the westward movement of the disease in deer and discusses at length the possibility of it jumping to humans (zoonotic). In some states like CO and WI it's so pervasive that every deer killed must be tested before you can eat it. Are hunters in your area dealing with that? I knew absolutely nothing about this until I read the article. Now I know more than I wish I did. 

[Shelby]

2 hours ago, Smithy said:

I'm so glad to see you blogging again! I have to admit that your scenery looks strange, though. No snow? It's snowy here already.

 

I'd happily take any one of those breakfast burritos. Or that brisket. Or those sausages. Or those potatoes. Or...or...or...well, any of it! Did you make those sausages?

Our hunter really liked the burritos--he might have just been extra hungry lol.   No, the sausages are a brand I'm buying from Misfits and I hope they don't stop selling them.  Not too spicy, no gristle, a little smokey.  Really good.

 

1 hour ago, Katie Meadow said:

@Shelby I'm just curious. Last night I read a long piece in the Nation magazine about Chronic Wasting Disease, or CWD. It describes the westward movement of the disease in deer and discusses at length the possibility of it jumping to humans (zoonotic). In some states like CO and WI it's so pervasive that every deer killed must be tested before you can eat it. Are hunters in your area dealing with that? I knew absolutely nothing about this until I read the article. Now I know more than I wish I did.  

https://ksoutdoors.com/Hunting/Big-Game-Information/CWD. Here is the latest from Kansas.  We don't worry about it yet where we hunt.  I hope we never have to but I'm sure that's wishful thinking.

[Shelby]

6 hours ago, Smithy said:

I'm so glad to see you blogging again! I have to admit that your scenery looks strange, though. No snow? It's snowy here already.

 

I'd happily take any one of those breakfast burritos. Or that brisket. Or those sausages. Or those potatoes. Or...or...or...well, any of it! Did you make those sausages?

Regarding snow, last year we had already had some but this year it's barely gotten below freezing for more than a few nights.  That's pretty normal though the last few years.

[FauxPas]

 

@Shelby, how do you do your scalloped potatoes? They just look so good!

 

Maybe it's just I'm hungry right now and I know we are OUT of potatoes (and we don't need other groceries so don't feel like shopping) and so I'm craving them. Funny how you can live without something quite happily when it's in your cupboard but when you know you're out, suddenly it's the only thing you want. Or is that just me, hahaha.  🙂

 

Edited December 6 by FauxPas (log)

[Shelby]

13 hours ago, FauxPas said:

 

@Shelby, how do you do your scalloped potatoes? They just look so good!

 

Maybe it's just I'm hungry right now and I know we are OUT of potatoes (and we don't need other groceries so don't feel like shopping) and so I'm craving them. Funny how you can live without something quite happily when it's in your cupboard but when you know you're out, suddenly it's the only thing you want. Or is that just me, hahaha.  🙂

 

Nooooo, I'm exactly the same way which is probably why I have multiples of everything stuffed all around the kitchen and pantry.

 

Scalloped Potatoes

I use a mandolin and slice them thin.  Butter a cast iron skillet all around the bottom and sides.  Place one layer of potatoes, season with salt and pepper (I use Lawry's Salt).  Repeat for 2-3 layers.  On the next layer sprinkle sharp cheddar (or cheese of your choice).  Do another 2 or 3 layers, sprinkle cheese on top.  Slowly pour heavy cream until you can see a hint of it around the edges of the potatoes.  Put a lid on the skillet.  Cook over low to medium heat until potatoes get soft (I poke a knife or fork in occasionally). The cream will begin to bubble.  Take care not to have the heat too high or it will scorch the bottom potatoes.  After potatoes are soft, remove lid and continue cook until the cream cooks down.  When done I put it in the oven and broil to get the brown top.

 

No deer yesterday.  I saw a lot of them around our house--and a lot of geese so I know they were out and about.  It's windy again today so we will see.  

 

Made a small board for snacks

 

These are excellent

 

 

 

Easy dinner last night.  A few weeks ago I made a big batch of my favorite venison meatballs and froze them.  

 

 

 

I thawed out a bag of my spaghetti sauce, fried up some Italian sausages, made pasta and salad and that was dinner.

 

 

Apple galette with caramel sauce for dessert (I forgot until it was too late I was going to use some of my cranberry sauce in it like @Senior Sea Kayakersmartly suggested so I'll have to make another one soon)

 

 

 

Topped off with a bit of @ninagluck's wonderful eggnog