Hunting Shows

It's the time of year when hunting season is over and it's too cold to go out and do any work in the timber.  That's right, the only thing us bowhunters can enjoy is watching hunting shows on TV or DVD.  I love watching hunting shows, but there are many different types.  Shows that you can learn things from, shows that put down awesome animals, shows that take you around the world, and the shows that leave you wondering how the heck the show is even on TV.

I really enjoy shows that I can learn something from and apply what I learned to my own hunting strategies.  In my opinion, there is only one hunting show out there that does this: Midwest Whitetail.  I have learned so much over the past few years watching this show.  MW has everything from tips and tricks, to what to look for in setting up stands, to harvesting some great deer.  Not only does MW have a TV show on the Sportsman Channel, but also a semi-live Internet show during deer season. 

There are also shows out there that have awesome video quality.  Heartland Bowhunter and Hallowed Ground Outdoors are fun to watch based on the video quality alone.  These guys also put down some great animals, but the video quality allows their shows to standout from the others.

I also like the usuals; The Crush, Bone Collector, Realtree Outdoors, Western Extreme, etc.  I classify these shows in the "put down awesome animals" category.  While these shows are fun to watch, most of the hunts and animals that are harvested are unrealistic for the majority of hunters.  In this category, I do like Western Extreme for the fact that Jim Burnworth does a great job of setting up the terrain and strategy he uses for harvesting the animal.  This helps me to envision what he is doing on the hunt.  Some of these shows focus quite a bit on sponsors than actual hunting, which I don't have a big problem with because it's part of the business.

Finally, there are the shows that you wonder "how the heck the show is even on TV".  One that comes to mind instantly is Wildgame Nation.  I have never seen a show that provides as little value as this one.  The hosts are horrible, they hunt with crossbows (which is a turn-off), and the editing and theme of each show is annoying. 

Another show that sometimes bugs me is Fear No Evil.  I like Chris Brackett as a hunter.  He takes awesome animals and is a crack shot with his bow.  The one thing I sometimes dislike about the show is that Brackett says "Booyah" way to much and about everything that happens.  If he said "booyah" when he shot a deer that is fine, but when he says "booyah" when he eats a bowl of cereal or when he fills up his truck with gas......"booyah" just gets old.

This is just my opinion on hunting shows.  Please leave a comment below the blog and keep the discussion going about your favorite hunting shows!

Muddyhunter

Deer in a Can

I have talked a few times about my friend Tom Henrich from Wisconsin in different blog posts.  Tom loves to hunt whitetails and loves to process his own meat for his family to eat.  Tom approached me about a deer processing blog, but I take my deer to a local locker to get processed, so I thought Tom would be a great person to hear from on processing your own deer.  I hope you enjoy Tom's guest blog!

I’d like to start this article by thanking Muddyhunter for the opportunity to write an article for his blog. I’m always looking for something new and exciting to read in regards to hunting. I had e-mailed him about this idea for a blog update, and he replied that maybe it was time for me to finally write one - so I agreed. Maybe I’ll think a little more carefully before I e-mail Muddyhunter anymore blog ideas!

Generally speaking when the peak of the rut is occurring and I’m looking for a mature animal to harvest I am usually thinking about how a buck will look on my wall rather than how it will taste.





Even though the big bucks I have harvested are handsome trophies, I’ve found that a 4 ½ + year old buck in full rut can taste, well, a little less then desirable even with superb field dressing and great kitchen prep. Granted I can make steaks on the grill, fried steaks and onions, bacon-wrapped steaks, venison-ka-bobs, and many other versions of venison steak that my wife and children might eat a few times a year (that’s if I tell them it’s beef).  The point being we’re only going to eat so much steak.

We do however have a processor make up some sausage and other varieties of mixed venison and pork. Although costly it is very delicious. With that said, over the years of shooting anywhere from 3-5 deer a year I’ve found an inexpensive, delicious, and healthy alternative to much of our venison processing that the whole family enjoys eating. We make canned venison. I’ll take you step-by-step through the process so you can enjoy the benefits of canned venison as well.

The first thing you’ll need to do is cube your meat, any part of the deer is fine. ½" to 1" cubes work great. When trimming try and get as much sinew off as possible. If you don’t get all the fat, its ok – I’ll explain later.

Once cubed find either pint or quart canning jars and fill them 1" from the top with the cubed venison. One pint feeds approximately two people while the quart can feeds 4-5. For our specific needs we make a mix of both pints and quarts. Once the jars are filled with the venison add water again 1" from the top. On top of the venison and water add one level ½ teaspoon of Lawry’s Season Salt and approximately 1-2 tablespoons of minced onions (2x the amount for quart jars).

Next screw on the tops of the canning jars and place the jars into your canner (refer to your canner manual for specific canning safety instructions). We place our jars in approximately 2"-3" of water mixed with a little vinegar (the vinegar aids in the sealing process). Place the canner top on and secure it. Cook the jars (both pint and/or quart) for approximately 90 minutes at 10-12 psi. I have found with our particular electric stove it was best to get the canner up to the appropriate psi quick and then back off the temperature to the #2 setting; that setting maintained a psi of approximately 11 for the duration of the 90 minute cooking period. You’ll find it does not take much heat to maintain the required psi but it will take some fiddling around to see what works for your canner/stove combo.

After 90 minutes remove the canner from heat and let the pressure come down slowly. Once the pressure has been removed from the canner remove the lid carefully. I’d recommend cooking gloves to avoid steam burns when removing the canner lid. Remove jars with a jar remover or tongs and let cool for approximately 8-12 hours before storing in a cool dark place. Avoid placing finished jars in direct sunlight. Canned jars of venison can last several years. I can’t say for sure how long they’ll last because I’ve never let them get past 3 years old but even the oldest canned jars of venison I’ve consumed taste great.

Do you remember when I previously mentioned not to get too carried away trimming the fat? The reason for that comment was because during the canning process the fat melts off of and from within the meat. The melted fat, once cooled, floats to the top of the jar for easy removal. Prior to eating just scoop the chunks of fat off the top of the jar.

There are many ways to prepare canned venison. Over mashed potatoes, on a bun, plain, etc.. My favorite is to throw it in a pot and mix with a little bit of brown gravy or flour (sometimes mushrooms), heat to desired temp and throw it over a Thin-Ones whole grain bun with some sharp cheddar cheese lightly sprinkled on top.

The other wonderful thing about canned venison is how fast it can be made into a meal – especially after a long day at the office. In about 5 minutes you can have a hearty, healthy, flavorful meal that tastes exactly like a roost beef sandwich with or without mushrooms – no gamey venison taste whatsoever. Serve with a delicious beverage and enjoy!

When I return to the LJS hunting Lodge I plan to bring some to share with my friends there.

I would like to thank Tom for this great blog.  I am looking forward to some canned venison when Tom comes back to hunt with me in Iowa.

Muddyhunter

B n' B Bow Review: Bowtech Insanity CPX

Yesterday I got the chance to head down to Buck Hollow Sports and shoot the new Bowtech Insanity CPX.  I shot the Bowtech Invasion last year and loved the bow, and I can say that I shot better last year with the Invasion than I have ever shot before.  That being said.......the Insanity is better!

The Insanity is a great shooting experience.  I liked the draw on the Invasion even though there was a slight hump in the draw cycle.  The Insanity has no hump in the draw cycle and is super smooth.  The bow holds unbelievably well at full draw.  Because of the short brace height, the weight does stack up sooner in the draw cycle than the Invasion.

The Invasion had some slight movement at the shot; that is not the case with the Insanity.  At the shot, the Insanity is dead in the hand and does not move at all.  The Insanity is much quieter at the shot than the Invasion and any other bow I have ever shot.  To top it off, the Insanity is insanely fast as well!  An overall pleasant shooting experience. 

One of the biggest differences between the Invasion and the Insanity is riser length.  The Insanity has a much longer riser by about 2-3".  The length of the riser, along with the Insanity being a center pivot and very close to having a deflexed riser makes the stability, balance, and forgiveness of the Insanity better than the Invasion.

After my experience with the Insanity, I have a 70lb model on order.  I am looking forward to getting this bow decked out and sighted in.

Muddyhunter

Christmas Product Reviews

Every hunter loves getting hunting stuff for Christmas.  There were quite a few hunting items on my Christmas "Hit List". 

First on my hit list was the new Under Armour Speed Freek hunting boot.  I have been looking for a pair of boots that are waterproof, lightweight, and breathable while I am checking cameras and going to 3D shoots during the summer.  These boots fit the bill so far.  The Speed Freek boot is the lightest pair of shoes I own!  They are very comfortable and provide a nice fit.  I tried out the waterproofing by putting the boot in some water and spraying them off with a hose; my feet were bone dry.  I highly recommend this boot for anyone looking for an early season whitetail or elk hunting boot.


Under Armour Speed Freek

I have always wanted to do some video while hunting, but I have never wanted to spend the time and money to go all the way.  I also don't want the distraction in the tree stand of trying to video my own hunts.  Once I find someone who wants to film me, then I will give it a go.  Until I find a cameraman (I am accepting applications), I am going to try out Wildgame Innovations Vantage Action Cam.  Santa brought me the AC5x camera which features Hi-Definition Infrared video.  The camera comes with a waterproof case and four different mounts. 

Vantage Action Cam

I have not had a chance to use this cool little camera, but once I do I will be sure to post a complete review with video.

I have really gotten into reading lately and recently Lee and Tiffany Lakosky came out with a new book.  I have read about half the book and it has some really good information about managing property, food plots, and other information.  The one disappointing thing about this book is it is more of a "coffee-table" book than an actual book.  Lots of pictures of the deer Lee and Tiff have shot over the years.

Finally, I got some cool hunting hats and Under Armour's 2.0 base layer.  I love the 2.0 base layer because it is really warm, but also lightweight.  I contemplated going to the 3.0 base layer, but it is much heavier and I am very warm blooded.

I hope everyone else got some great hunting Christmas gifts for next hunting season.

Muddyhunter