Site icon KBMW News

Handle, Cook Wild Game Properly

hunting-ndsu-jpeg
hunting-ndsu-jpeg

 
Image and content provided by NDSU Extension
 
Fall is here and so is hunting season for some types of wild game.
Hunters are looking forward to making use of the animals they hunt. However, handling the meat improperly in the field or cooking it incorrectly at home can ruin the meat.
“The handling of the meat from harvest to preparation can make a major difference in the flavor and safety of the end product,” says Julie Garden-Robinson, North Dakota State University Extension food and nutrition specialist.
Here are some tips for handling large game animals such as deer in the field:

For game birds, remove the entrails and crop as soon as possible after shooting them. This allows air to circulate in the body cavity and aids in cooling the carcass quickly and thoroughly. If the weather is hot, place the birds individually in plastic bags and put them on ice. Do not pile warm birds in a mass.
Fish also require some careful handling:

Game meats and fish can add variety to your diet. Here are some tips for cooking with game meat:

Visit NDSU Extension’s Game and Fish website at https://www.ag.ndsu.edu/food/food-preservation/game-and-fish for more information on handling and cooking wild game and fish.