Why Aging Meat is Essential

Aging meat isn’t just about tenderizing—it’s about enhancing flavor. Allowing the carcass to rest in a cool, ventilated environment for several days gives natural enzymes time to work, transforming the meat’s taste and texture. Venison, for instance, loses much of its gaminess during this process, developing a refined, rich flavor. This method is similar to dry-aging beef but adapted specifically for wild game.

For the best results, hang your game uncovered in a cool room with proper airflow. This allows the meat to set on the bone, enhancing both its tenderness and taste. In contrast, wet meat that hasn’t been aged lacks depth and delivers a far less satisfying dining experience.

Handling the Carcass

The way you handle the carcass immediately after the hunt has a huge impact on the quality of the meat. Once the animal is harvested, pay close attention to hygiene:

Tools You’ll Need

Processing wild game doesn’t require a massive arsenal of tools, but a few essentials make the job smoother:

Breaking Down the Meat

When breaking down a carcass, start with the damaged areas first. A shot may occasionally impact a shoulder or other part of the meat, but most of it can still be salvaged. Carefully trim away only the unusable portions, ensuring nothing goes to waste. Keep in mind that nearly every part of the animal has value – the heart and liver, for instance, are excellent for cooking and offer unique culinary opportunities.

Work methodically with your knife, focusing on separating cuts at the joints. This precise approach eliminates the need for a saw, keeping the process cleaner and preventing bone fragments from contaminating the meat. With care and attention, you’ll maximize your yield and maintain the quality of every cut.

Storing and Preserving Your Meat

After breaking down the carcass, avoid wrapping the meat immediately. Instead, lay it on a table or trays in the fridge or a cool room to let it set and age further. Once the meat has properly aged, wrap each cut in butcher’s paper, label it with the cut and date, and store it in the freezer.

If you’re processing a large amount of game, consider using a cool room. Portable cool rooms are available for rent and are perfect for aging and storing meat during hunting season. Plan with friends to share the cost and the bounty, ensuring you have high-quality meat for months to come.

Ready to Hone Your Skills?

Ultimately, processing wild game is as much an art as it is a science. From proper aging to careful butchering, every step contributes to the quality of the meat you’ll enjoy. With patience, the right tools, and a focus on technique, you can transform your harvest into tender, flavorful cuts that rival anything you’d find at a butcher’s shop.

Celebrated chef and butcher James Viles demonstrates how to process wild venison in our Anchored Outdoors online course. Learn invaluable techniques, including aging meat, utilizing the entire animal, and mastering tips that honor and respect wild game. Start learning today and take your wild game skills to the next level.

The post The Art of Butchering and Aging Wild Game Like a Pro appeared first on Anchored Outdoors.

Importance of Setting the Meat

One of the most crucial steps in processing wild venison is allowing the meat to “set” after the animal has been harvested. This step, often referred to as aging, lets the meat rest so the enzymes can break down, improving both texture and flavor. As Chef Viles emphasizes, you can’t just butcher the animal immediately after the hunt. Instead, you need to let the venison hang for at least a day or two, with many experts suggesting that wet or bag aging for up to two weeks can provide even better results. This allows the meat to reach its optimal condition before you begin cooking.

Field Dressing and Cooling

After a successful hunt, the first task is to remove the entrails quickly, which prevents spoilage and ensures freshness. This should be done within minutes of the kill. Following field dressing, allowing the carcass to cool naturally is important. Laying it on the ground, where the cool air from the earth can help reduce internal temperature, is a common practice. When transporting the carcass, leaving the skin on acts as a protective barrier against dirt and germs. Once ready to butcher, remove the skin to let cool air fully reach the meat to start the setting process.

Optimal Conditions for Processing

Timing is everything when processing wild venison. Chef Viles notes that the best time to hunt and butcher venison in Australia is during the winter, as the cooler weather naturally keeps flies away from the meat, reducing the risk of contamination. If processed in the summer, the animal and butcher would quickly be swarmed by flies, making it harder to maintain cleanliness. After the deer is hung, a muslin cloth or bag is typically used to cover the carcass while it rests, further protecting it from insects and dirt.

Butchering Techniques

Once the meat has set, the butchering process can begin. Starting with the proper cuts is essential for optimal use of the venison. The shanks are often prepared first for sausages or braising dishes, perfect for winter meals like stews and braises. Venison’s natural flavors shine through in these slow-cooking methods. Every part of the carcass is utilized, from roasts to sausages and salami, ensuring nothing goes to waste. Using the entire animal is a central principle of ethical hunting and processing.

Field Butchery vs. Butcher Shop Processing

Processing venison in the field differs from how it’s done in a butcher shop. While in the field, hunters often leave the skin on for as long as possible to protect the meat. After removing the skin, hunters may place the meat in bags or use the skin itself to pack it for transport. While this method is effective for field conditions, butchering in a controlled environment like a butcher shop offers more precision and cleanliness.

Conclusion

At the end of the day, processing wild venison isn’t just about butchering – it’s about respecting the animal and making the most of every part. Whether you’re hanging the meat to set, using the proper field dressing techniques, or ensuring each cut is used for the right dish, these steps will lead to a better final product.

Want to learn more? Unlock the full class with expert chef James Viles at Anchored Outdoors, where he demonstrates how to process wild venison, including tips on aging and utilizing the whole animal. Plus, sign up today and get access to our bonus Whole Fish Butchery class with Josh Niland!

The post Wild Game Butchery Ageing and Preparing Venison with James Viles appeared first on Anchored Outdoors.

Understanding Elk Population and Shed Rates

Let’s start with the basics: understanding the potential for finds. In Colorado, for example, the elk population stands at about 250,000, with 20% being bull elk. Each bull drops two antlers annually, leading to roughly 100,000 fresh elk sheds each year in this state alone. However, despite these numbers, the challenge lies in knowing where and when to look.

Tracking the Seasonal Movements of Elk

The key to successful shed hunting lies in tracking the seasonal movements of elk, particularly bulls:

• Summer: Bull elk reside at higher elevations, often above 10,000 feet, where food is abundant and predator encounters are less frequent.
• Fall (Rut Season): Bulls descend to lower elevations to seek out cows for mating, moving extensively across varied terrains.
• Late Fall: After the rut, they seek solitude, often returning to higher elevations or remote areas.
• Winter: As temperatures drop and snow deepens, elk migrate to winter ranges, characterized by south-facing slopes that offer both shelter from snow and ample feeding grounds.

Prime Times and Locations for Shed Hunting

Cracking the code of when and where to find shed antlers can transform a novice into a skilled hunter. As you gear up for your expedition, there are two crucial types of areas to focus on:

• Winter Ranges: These are prime spots for early spring shed hunting. Look for areas with less snow, where elk have wintered, as they provide ideal conditions for dropped antlers.

• Transition Areas: As seasons change from winter to spring, monitoring elk migration routes back toward summer ranges can be fruitful. Elk don’t shed their antlers all at once, so these transition areas often yield sheds dropped en route.

Timing Your Hunt

The timing of your shed hunting expedition can greatly influence your success. Here’s how to plan your search:

• Late Winter to Early Spring: This is the ideal time to begin your search. Most antlers have likely already fallen, but the new plant growth hasn’t yet obscured them. Starting too early can disturb the wildlife and lead to fewer finds, as many antlers may still be attached to their hosts.

• Avoid Late Spring and Early Summer: During this period, high grass and lush new foliage can make antlers nearly impossible to spot. Furthermore, if you start your search too late, you may also encounter the increased difficulty of navigating through denser vegetation, which can hide sheds effectively.

Challenges and Considerations

While the rewards of shed hunting are great, so are the challenges. Here are some tips to keep in mind:

• Unexpected Weather: A sudden snowfall can quickly cover the landscape, hiding sheds under a fresh layer of white. This can make your search more difficult and may require you to revisit areas once the snow has melted.

• Wildlife Interference: If you wait too long to begin your search, other forest creatures might beat you to it. Rodents, bears, and other animals often gnaw on antlers for their mineral content, potentially damaging your finds.

• Ethical Considerations: One of the most important aspects of shed hunting is respecting wildlife. Disturbing animals, especially during their vulnerable periods, is not only unethical but can also impact the health of the population and the success of future hunts. For this reason, you should always strive to minimize the impact on their natural habitat.

Wrapping Up

At the end of the day, shed hunting is as much about understanding wildlife patterns as it is about the hunt itself. For those inspired to learn more about the world of shed hunting, Steven Drake offers extensive insights through his online course. Here, enthusiasts can learn techniques for maximizing their success and minimizing their impact on natural habitats. Are you ready to take your shed hunting skills to the next level? If so, check out Steven’s online course today!

The post When (And Where) to Find Shed Antlers appeared first on Anchored Outdoors.

The post How to Filter Your Water in an Emergency Situation – Tom Brown III appeared first on Anchored Outdoors.

The Science Behind Smoking Hides

For starters, it’s vital to recognize that smoking pelts and hides goes beyond tradition; it’s a scientific method to enhance and preserve their quality. The process itself involves treating the hides with smoke, which forms a bond with the collagen fibers. This bonding prevents the fibers from re-sticking, ensuring that the hide maintains its softness and flexibility. 

What makes smoking so crucial is its effect when hides get wet. Unlike untreated hides, which can become stiff and lose texture, smoked hides maintain their suppleness. This durability under various conditions is what makes smoking a vital step in hide processing.

Gathering Your Tools and Materials

Before you begin, it’s essential to gather the right tools. Here’s a quick rundown: 

• Reliable Fire Source: A steady supply of coals is essential, so make sure you have a dependable fire source.
• Metal Bucket: Opt for a metal bucket to serve as a container for both the coals and your primary smoke source, which is the punky wood.
• Shovel: A shovel will come in handy for managing the coals and maintaining the fire.
• Rope: You’ll need rope for hanging the hides during the smoking process.
• Clothespins: These will be useful for securing the hides in place.
• Durable Fabric (e.g., Jean Canvas): Prepare a sturdy fabric like jean canvas, which will play a crucial role in the smoking process.

How to Smoke a Pelt or Hide

After you’ve collected the necessary materials and tools, it’s time to start the smoking process. Here’s a step-by-step guide: 

Set Up Your Smoking Station

Create a smoking area where you can control the smoke flow to the hide. Here’s how:

• Fire and Coals: Start by building a fire to produce a good amount of coals.
• Bucket and Punky Wood: Place the coals in a metal bucket and add punky wood on top. The punky wood should be in direct contact with the coals to generate ample smoke.
• Insulation Fabric: Lay the sturdy fabric between the bucket of coals and the hide to moderate the heat.

Smoking the Hide

The actual smoking process involves a few key steps:

• Suspend the Hide: Use the rope and clothespins to hang the hide over the smoking setup. Ensure it’s elevated enough to avoid direct contact with heat.
• Monitor the Process: Watch for a color change in the hide, indicating the smoking effect. This can range from a light buttercream to a darker orangey brown, depending on the smoking duration.

Troubleshooting and Tips

During the smoking process, be mindful of a few things:

• Sealing Holes: If your hide has holes, plug them up. You can use pieces of punky wood, sew them, or even use Elmer’s Glue for smaller holes. This step ensures the smoke permeates the hide evenly.
• Avoid Wet Material: Smoking works best on dry hides. Wet or damp hides can produce steam instead of absorbing smoke, affecting the outcome.
• Flame Control & Supervision: Be cautious of any flame-ups, especially if the punky wood isn’t fully rotten. Manage this by adjusting the wood and coals as needed. And remember – the most important rule in smoking hides is to never leave them unattended. 

Watch it Here

The key takeaway is that smoking hides is a rewarding craft, blending tradition with skill and patience. And the best part is that it leads to the creation of beautiful, durable pelts and hides that showcase your craftsmanship! 

For those intrigued and eager to learn more, Sarah Corrigan’s class at Anchored Outdoors is an excellent next step. It’s a practical, in-depth guide to honing your hide-smoking skills and joining a community passionate about this art form. So, check it out today!

The post The Hows and Whys of Smoking Your Pelts and Hides appeared first on Anchored Outdoors.

Identifying and Preparing the Hide for Fleshing

Before you begin the hide-fleshing process, it’s important to determine the hide’s top and bottom. If it still has its tail, identifying the bottom is straightforward – the tail is at the bottom, and the neck is at the top. This distinction matters because beginning with the neck facing you is a smart choice. 

Why? It makes fleshing a lot easier because removing flesh goes more smoothly when you work your way down from the neck. To begin the process, firmly pin the hide under your body, using your weight to keep it steady. This step is essential for a successful and efficient fleshing process. 

Mastering the Fleshing Technique

Just like any other skill, you’ll want to have a trusty, fleshing tool by your side. Begin by focusing on the areas that have already seen some fleshing action. This neat little trick simplifies the process and makes transitioning to untouched areas a whole lot easier. 

And here’s a vital tip: adjust the angle of your tool to match the specific part of the hide you’re working on. Think of it as fine-tuning your technique for different situations.

When it comes to how long the process will take, there is no one-size-fits-all answer. In the beginning, fleshing might take a bit of time. So, your first hide could keep you busy for up to an hour. However, with consistent practice, you’ll develop muscle memory, and things will speed up significantly. Eventually, you’ll find yourself fleshing three to six hides in an hour once you’ve honed your skills.

Detailed Attention and Adapting to Conditions

While you’re fleshing, pay close attention to the edges, neck, and other sensitive areas of the hide. With this, it’s essential to avoid techniques that could gouge the scraping beam or cause cuts in the hide, such as moving the fleshing knife sideways. 

Additionally, the condition of the hide can affect the fleshing process. Generally, fresher hides are more straightforward to work with. And if the hide may have ticks, freezing it is a good idea, even though it may slightly harden the hide.

Finishing Touches and Avoiding Mistakes

In the final stages, focus on making adjustments and following scraping tips. At this point, it’s critical to keep your fleshing knife clean to maintain its effectiveness. Additionally, consider removing any surplus portions, such as the tail and thick sections of the neck, to streamline the tanning process. It’s also worth noting that you should keep the hide flat on the beam to steer clear of creating unwanted holes. 

As you continue with fleshing, focus on the areas where flesh begins, employing short, controlled strokes. Avoid over-scraping beyond the point where flesh has already been removed; this approach maximizes efficiency.

Watch it Here

With these practical insights and techniques, you’re well on your way to mastering the art of fleshing hides, thanks to the guidance of Natalie Bogwalker. To take your skills to the next level, consider joining her Hide Tanning Masterclass. Roll up your sleeves and start your hide-tanning journey with confidence! Happy hide tanning!

The post From Raw to Refined: Expert Tips on Fleshing Hides with Natalie Bogwalker appeared first on Anchored Outdoors.

The post Learn to Shed Hunt with Steven Drake appeared first on Anchored Outdoors.

The majority of big game hunting seasons come to a close at the end of the year. It’s bittersweet for most hunters. Gone are the mornings of waking up to the sunrise in a treestand, and you’ll have to wait until next year to end the evening listening to bugles in the dark. But the close of hunting season doesn’t mean the thrill of the pursuit of antlers is over. You’ll just need to adjust where you’re looking for them. 

Members of the deer family lose their antlers during the winter and spring months. These dropped antlers are commonly called sheds (or “cast antlers” in certain parts of the world). The practice of finding sheds is becoming an increasingly popular, and in some areas, competitive pastime. Shed hunting provides numerous benefits. It’s an opportunity to scout for game, get some exercise and collect a prize. 

Professional hunting photographer Steven Drake is extremely knowledgeable about shed hunting. He’s spent years and hundreds of miles in the mountains in pursuit of brown gold. If there’s a shed in the area, Drake will find it. In his Shed Hunting Masterclass for Anchored Outdoors, he covers everything shed hunters need to know to be successful, including some of his hard-earned tips that he rarely shares. Here’s how to get ready for shed season. 

Learn the Right Timing 

Elk, deer, moose and caribou all drop their antlers, but the timing depends on the species and its geographic location. Whitetails, blacktails and mule deer typically drop their antlers in January and February, while elk hold onto theirs until April. 

Drake says that getting this timing right is one of the keys to success. If you head out too early, not only do you risk getting skunked because the antlers are still attached to the animal, but you might also push the animals out of the area. 

Drake says he starts shed hunting later in the season to avoid stressing out animals. This can be a delicate balance because if you wait too long, the sheds will be tougher to find. By mid-June, for example, there’s often enough new plant growth that spotting sheds becomes extremely difficult with all the vegetation.  

Know the Rules 

Many states regulate seasons for when hunters can search for sheds on public land. It’s during the winter months that these game populations are under the most stress, which is why it’s important to avoid putting undue stress on them. Before heading out, always look up the rules for the area. If you have any questions, call the local wildlife agency. Following the rules ensures you get to keep any sheds you find, avoid a costly ticket, and help protect wildlife populations. 

Where to Look 

Finding a shed antler can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack. For most people, the most difficult obstacle when shed hunting is knowing where to look. This comes down to learning where the animals spend time during the winter. For example, elk will often feed on open, south-facing slopes during the winter before bedding in north-facing slopes with thicker timber. Finding these types of patterns will help you locate sheds. If you’ve been watching whitetails, look for sheds in areas where they’ve been feeding and bedding.  

Gear Up 

You don’t need much gear to go shed hunting. If you’re already an outdoor enthusiast, you likely have it all. Wear the right layers for the weather conditions. Be sure to wear comfortable hiking boots. Bring a backpack to carry some survival gear, a communication device and any sheds that you find. It’s also helpful to carry binoculars and a GPS. 

Use Your Eyes 

One piece of advice you might not expect that comes from Drake is the importance of glassing, and not just for animals. Drake spends hours behind his spotting scope and binoculars looking for sheds. He recommends looking with the sun behind your back to make it easier, as well as using a tripod to keep things steady. 

Shed hunting provides valuable insight into animal patterns and landscapes. Plus, sheds are cool. There’s something incredibly rewarding about finding one after a long search. You can use them as decorations or for crafting… some people even find enough to build Christmas trees. Whether you’re just getting started or are a die-hard like Drake, shed hunting is a great way to spend the spring.  

Buy Steven’s class today at https://courses.anchoredoutdoors.com/courses/shed-hunting-with-steven-drake!

The post Get Ready for Shed Hunting Season! appeared first on Anchored Outdoors.

1. The Baitfish Book of All Baitfish Books

Kevin Feenstra’s latest book, Matching Baitfish: Patterns and Techniques for Great Lakes Steelhead and Lake Run Browns should be a mandatory read for all anglers. Whether the person in your life is a fly or spin fisher, this book is an absolute game-changer.

2. Patagonia Tough Puff Pants

Patagonia makes these incredible pants for both men and women. Specifically designed for under-wader insulation, they’re also the perfect pant to wear around the house or run errands in town. You’ll wonder how you ever fished the cooler months without them.

3. Krinkle Mirror Flash

The fly fishing industry has seen all sorts of materials come and go over the years. This, however, is one material that will last the test of time. Krinkle Mirror Flash is arguably the most vibrant flash on the market. An assortment of colours and sizes is guaranteed to make the fly tier in your life smile. Can you say stocking stuffer!?

4. Headlamp 

Whether it’s for walking the dog in the early morning hours or hiking out of a fishing spot in the dark, a quality headlamp always comes in handy. There are a lot of excellent models on the market, it just depends on what you’re looking for. There are lightweight ones for the backcountry, as well as rechargeable versions. When looking at the price tag, some considerations are the brightness and how long it lasts.

5. Reusable Food Bags

Outdoor adventures are best enjoyed with snacks. Reusable Ziploc-style bags are great for packing snacks while being mindful of the environmental impact of trash. There are several styles of bags including beeswax paper, silicone and nylon bags.

6. Gift a Masterclass or Membership

Give the gift of education. Help someone in your life learn a new trade or expand on their skills. The Anchored Outdoors Masterclasses are taught by the foremost experts on the subject. If you can’t decide on one, purchase the All-Inclusive Membership which gives you access to ALL the classes.

7. Portable Battery Charger 

In today’s technology-driven world, portable chargers are essential. All kinds of recreationists rely on technology to explore the outdoors. But the battery life on cellphones, headlamps and satellite communication devices don’t last forever. Portable battery charges give a boost when things get low. Some models can even be charged by solar panels. 

8. Travel Mugs and Reusable Water Bottles  

Reusable coffee cups and water bottles are always needed. Not only do these work well on adventures, but they’re also great for everyday use like commuting to work or hitting the gym. 

9. Babysitting Services  

Sometimes the best gift isn’t one you can open. It’s hard to find time to get outside when you have kids. Offer family or friends the opportunity to spend a day on the river while you watch the little ones. This can be a win-win for everyone. Parents can pursue their passion while little ones get a fun day. 

10. Mini Waders

For many families, a day on the water is as simple as having the right gear. If your little one is weighing heavy on your back, perhaps it’s time to get them their own waders? These are a wonderful gift, not only for the kids in your life, but for the parents who have been sacrificing time on the water for fear of wet feet.

11. Thermal “Night” Vision

If you have a larger budget, the Flir Thermal Monocular ticks all the boxes: fun, functional… even life-saving! Use it to look out for wildlife around camp at night, but also keep it handy on the boat, just in case someone falls overboard and needs spotting.

12. Flies

Anglers can never have too many flies. Check out the Anchored Outdoors Fly Outpost for a variety of assortments. We have flies grouped by season, style and more. They are all professionally curated and make a great stocking stuffer.

13. Neck Gaiter

Neck gaiters became a statement during the pandemic, but hunters and anglers have been using them for years. Hunters use camouflage neck gaiters to hide their faces. They’re also great for keeping sun and wind away. Neck gaiters come in various types of fabrics and patterns. They come in UPF to protect against the sun. They are found in Merino wool and fleece for colder weather. Some even have built-in bug repellants.

14. The SEVENTY2 Survival System

This survival kit is made by Uncharted Supply Co. The 72 Pro gives outdoorsmen and women the confidence and reassurance to take their off-road adventures one step further. Whether on foot or 4×4, this kit offers safety precautions for the unexpected. What’s more, the easy-to-understand instructions ensure that even the most inexperienced outdoors-people will have guidance should something unfortunate happen.

15. Wool Socks

Socks are a super lame gift to receive if you’re a kid. As an adult, unwrapping a pair of socks is a different story. Especially if they’re quality wool socks. Hunters and anglers love Merino wool socks for many reasons. Not only are they warm, but wool also absorbs moisture and keeps feet dry. This prevents blisters and icky odors. Wool socks can even be a very personal gift because they come in many different colors and unique patterns.

16. Finger Dubbing Brush

There’s nothing worse than an over-dressed fly, and this is just the tool to ensure you steer clear from making that common error. Hareline’s Finger Dubbing Brush is an excellent way to keep the bulking where it belongs: in your belly after a hearty turkey dinner.

Happy shopping!

The post Affordable Gifts for the Outdoor-Enthusiasts in Your Life  appeared first on Anchored Outdoors.

Learning to field dress an animal is an awesome opportunity to connect with your food source and respect the kill. These tips will give you the confidence to be successful. 

Find a Mentor 

The best way to learn how to hunt is to find a partner willing to teach you. Not only is it safer to hunt in pairs, spending a day in the field with a seasoned hunter is an opportunity to gain valuable knowledge earned over years of hard work. A mentor will teach tactics like locating game, playing the wind and sneaking up on your quarry. 

Be sure to find a mentor who’s interested in teaching. Let them know you want to learn in a hands-on way. Don’t be afraid to ask questions about the process. You won’t learn if you don’t ask—everyone was new once. Listen carefully to their instructions for both learning and safety purposes. 

Always Have a Plan 

Always be prepared for a successful hunt. This means carrying a field dressing kit in your backpack at all times. It should include gloves, knives, game bags and a bone saw. It’s also important to have a way to transport the meat from the field to your vehicle. In some cases, you might be able to retrieve the animal using an ATV or truck. Other hunters use game carts, which are similar to wheelbarrows.  

Hunters also transport meat in backpacks. Use a frame pack that is designed to carry weight. For pack-outs, it’s important to know your limitations. Don’t hike in further than you can carry something out. Hunting three miles in somewhere might be easy carrying 10 lbs. but can you do it carrying out 60 lbs. or more? 

You’ll also need to watch the weather. If you get an animal down when it’s hot out, can you pack out all the meat before it spoils? It’s always a good idea to have friends and family on standby to help. Having a team of packers is fun and very effective. 

Know the Rules 

Before hunting an area it’s always important to read through the regulations. The rules regarding field dressing can vary by unit. For example, in many areas, you are required to leave the meat on the bone. Often you are required to leave evidence of sex naturally attached. In some situations, you’re required to present the animal for tagging by authorities. Knowing these rules before you go into the field will have you prepared and keep you out of trouble. 

Watch Videos

The internet is a wealth of resources. There are lots of instructional videos that can help new hunters learn about meat care. If you’re planning to pack the animal out, check out videos on quartering. This method breaks down the meat into sections that are easier to carry out. 

Anchored Outdoors Masterclass “Whole Animal Butchery with Chef James Viles” is an excellent resource for learning how to utilize every piece of the animal. Viles is a celebrated chef and professional butcher of more than 25 years. His masterclass covers how to process wild venison and walks you through what to do with each cut of the meat. 

Enjoy the Process 

Harvesting an animal is often the result of hard work. Take time to enjoy your accomplishment. While it’s important to treat the meat in a manner in which it won’t spoil, you also don’t need to rush through the process. Be sure to separate the meat from the hide and guts as soon as possible to keep it clean. After that, there are ways to age the meat for maximum tenderness and flavor. (Viles covers this in the masterclass.) 

Taking the opportunity to learn the art of butchering an animal is important. With practice, the process becomes easier. And you’ll likely find that meals seem to taste better when they’ve been prepared by your hands from field to table. 

The post Tips for Field Dressing Your First Animal appeared first on Anchored Outdoors.

If you’ve ever wanted to learn the art of tanning, here’s your opportunity! Primitive skills instructor, Sarah Corrigan, demonstrates how to turn your animal pelts into beautiful, supple fur in this online class.

Buy it for life here: https://courses.anchoredoutdoors.com/courses/tanning-pelts

The post Pelt Tanning: Stretching the Hide appeared first on Anchored Outdoors.

Sign up for Jim’s upcoming Living and Writing the Outdoor Life Workshop!

I frequently tell people that one learns to write by writing and by reading, and that some of what you read should be about writing. So, step one, read a book. This book: On Writing Well, by William Zinsser. It covers all the important stuff and is written so well that you’ll enjoy reading it while you’re underlining and folding pages. (I don’t know how you do that with the ebook version, but knock yourself out.)

One of the things frequently mentioned about writing (perhaps mostly by non-writers) is “writer’s block.” I’ve never experienced it and you don’t have to either. The solution to not knowing what to write initially is to lower your standards temporarily. Don’t worry about writing something that’s brilliant, or even good. Just start writing something, anything that’s somewhat related to your topic. It doesn’t have to come out great, it just has to come out. You’ll make it great later, which is the real work. Writing is about 20% writing and 80% revising and re-writing. And unless you already have a lead (the opening sentence or paragraph) in mind, don’t worry about writing it first. At some point you might find it hiding further into the piece, in which case you’ve written the lead without trying to. Perfect.

Perhaps the best thing you can do once a draft is done is to get the broom out and remove the clutter. Any word that doesn’t do a job has to go. For example, you might write something like this: “I’ve come to believe that for me fishing is really a lot of fun.” Here are the unnecessary words: come, to, that, for, me, really. Ditch them and the sentence becomes “I believe that fishing is a lot of fun.” It’s shorter and better. You could cut even further and come up with “Fishing is a lot of fun.” It’s obviously your opinion and you believe it, so you don’t have to tell the reader that.

Once you’ve worked through a draft, cutting unnecessary words, making everything as clear as possible, and coming up with a good beginning and a good ending, the final steps are to use a dictionary and a thesaurus. Check the dictionary for any words you might possibly have used incorrectly. I’m surprised how often a word means something a little different from what I’ve assumed my whole life.

Then use the thesaurus – probably the one on your computer – to find the best words, especially descriptive words like adjectives. This will also accomplish another important objective which is to avoid cliches. If you’ve described the evening sky as beautiful, awesome, or ominous, you can do better. How about arresting, sublime or portentous? Just don’t overdo it. If you’re like me you know that your vocabulary isn’t as strong as you’d like it to be and even if you know the right word, you might not be able to call it up from memory when you need it. Use the thesaurus to find the word choices and then to find the perfect (or consummate or quintessential) word.

It’s important to read your own work critically. You can be proud of it later. The most important step in making a passage right is recognizing that you don’t have it right yet. It’s sometimes helpful to read your work aloud, for the ears absorb it differently than the eyes. I do this when I think I’m done, and quite often find a section that makes me slow down as if I’m approaching a stretch of rough road in my truck. If this happens every time I read this passage it’s a sure sign that something is wrong. As much as I want to be finished, I’m not. If this happens to you, check for unnecessary words and find the clearest phrasing you can come up with. If nothing you try helps, consider removing the passage altogether. If you can do that without losing any meaning or emotion, get rid of it.

One final thought is to accept the fact that that every time you read something you’ve written, you’ll want to change it – to remove or add a comma, change a word, add a quote. This never stops. You must realize that you never get finished, you just get stopped – sometimes by a deadline, sometimes simply by weariness.

Sign up for Jim’s upcoming Living and Writing the Outdoor Life Workshop!

The post Improving Your Writing – Jim McLennan appeared first on Anchored Outdoors.