Nebraska Hunting Company - Scott Croner

Snow Goose Hunting Adventure - Part 2

2012-01-23T05:23:00.000-08:00

Snow Goose Calling

Dozens of good goose calls are available, all of which areeffective in the hands of a good caller. It’s helpful to listen to wild birdsand try to imitate them with your calls. There are no better teachers. Butunless you have a friend who is a skilled caller who can teach you, you alsoshould purchase an instructional CD, DVD or audiotape that will allow you tohear the actual sounds of geese and good calling by practiced goose hunters.Study this and try to duplicate the sounds used for various situations. Aftersome practice, record yourself on a tape recorder and decide for yourself ifyou’re good enough to start calling in the field. Listen for weaknesses in yourrepertoire, then practice to improve them.

Snow Goose Hunting Tips

There’s no such thing as a casual snow goose hunt, one reason manywaterfowlers don’t participate. This sport requires large goose decoy spreadsand constant scouting.

First, you must study movement patterns of geese where you want togoose hunt, then secure permission to hunt where concentrations are located.(Most hunting is on private hunting lands.) When geese start using a field,they stay until the food supply is exhausted. Being there after they’ve startedusing the field and before they’ve eaten it out is the trick.

Elaborate ground blinds are nice but not necessary because a goosefield usually produces only one or two good shoots before geese move elsewhere.Many goose hunters simply lie on their backs in the goose decoys and wear whiteor camouflage-pattern clothing. Pit ground blinds, portable ground blinds andmakeshift ground blinds made from natural materials on-site also can be used,depending on where you hunt.

When it comes to snow goose decoy spreads, bigger usually isbetter. The decoys should be in place before sunrise to take advantage of thesnow goose’s propensity for flying early.

The most important thing goose hunters should remember is toremain well hidden and motionless until birds are well within shooting range.Snow geese are wary, and if they see or hear anything out of place, they’llavoid it. If approaching birds seem reluctant to land, flare off at the lastminute or land consistently outside the decoys, chances are they are spottingthe blind, hunter movement or something else that makes them nervous. Adjust asnecessary.

Avoid the temptation to shoot when the first geese start droppinginto your set-up. Veteran waterfowlers hold off until the lead geese aretouching down and geese in the rear of the flock are well within gun rangebefore making their move.

Remember this rule of thumb as well: If, when aiming, the end ofyour gun barrel covers more than half the bird, the goose is beyond 45 yardsand is too far away for a clean kill.

If you’re not up to the tasks just outlined, consider hiring ahunting guide. These guys can show you the ins and outs of snow goose hunting,and after you’ve experienced a hunt first-hand, you’ll know whether you reallywant to make the required investment in time and hunting equipment to hunt onyour own. Best of all, hunting guides do all the work. The hunter need notspend hours scouting, gaining hunting permission, and setting and retrievinggoose decoys. For a reasonable fee, reputable hunting guides do all this andclean and pack your birds, too.

Snow Goose HuntingConclusion

Snow goose hunting is challenging, for sure. Nevertheless, it’s asport many of us find irresistibly attractive. Goose hunting allows us toperfect our skills with a shotgun and to go afield with men we enjoy andadmire. Most of all, it gives us another excuse to be outdoors. Until you havesat in a goose spread and watched a fall or winter day unfold, develop anddecline, you have missed one of life’s greatest pleasures.

Snow Goose Hunting Adventure - Part 1

2012-01-23T05:22:00.000-08:00

Several goose hunters waited in a winter wheat field, scanning themorning skies above a huge spread of goose decoys. All was quiet for manyminutes, then in the distance, they heard the first melodic strains of flyinggeese.

It was hard to pinpoint them at first, but soon they could makeout the first long skeins of birds, little snowflakes floating in an orangesunrise. They were coming their way.

Minutes passed like hours. The calls of the snow geese grew involume. Their forms grew in size. The goose hunters could tell now there were athousand or more—a hundred here, a hundred there, in long lines and V-shapedwedges. Some flocks flew north, away from their goose decoy spread. But oneheld a steady course that would soon take it over their heads.

Two goose hunters began goose calling. One waved a white flagfixed atop a long pole. Would it be enough to attract their attention? Onegoose hunter gripped his shotgun tightly and wondered.

The last five minutes seemed like an hour. Most of the flock brokeoff, turning toward a large flock of geese feeding in another field. Only twodozen remained, but these were convinced their goose decoy spread was real. At100 yards out, they cupped their wings and began swinging back and forth in theair as they flexed their rudders and dropped their landing gear.

Too late the birds realized their ruse. As one goose hunter shot,then another, the geese tried to turn and gain altitude. One goose hunter swungon a white bird and fired, then swung again and shot a blue. They hit theground with hard thumps as he tried unsuccessfully to get another bird in hissights.

When it was over, this goose hunter was shaking. Excitement doesthat to some hunters. And snow goose hunting is exciting!

Snow Goose Facts

The snow goose, Chen caerulescens, is one of the world’s mostabundant waterfowl species. Each year, snow geese nest on the Arctic tundra andthen travel to southern wintering grounds in very large, high-flying, noisyflocks. The swirling white of a descending flock suggests snowfall, but amongthe white birds are darker individuals. Until recently, these “blue geese,” asthe dark birds are called, were considered a separate species. They are nowrecognized as merely a dark “morph,” or form, of the snow goose.

Adult snows are medium-sized (weighing 5 to 8 pounds) and have apinkish bill with a black “grinning patch.” White morphs are white all overexcept for the black primaries on each wing. Blue morphs have a mostly whitehead and neck, a dark gray-brown body and black primary and secondary featherson the wings.

Juvenile white morphs are gray above, white below and darker onthe head and neck. The legs, feet and bill are gray, turning pink as the youngbirds age. Juvenile blues are mostly dark gray-brown with a lighter-coloredbelly and white under the tail. The wing linings are pale gray, contrastingwith the dark body and black primaries in flight.

Biologists recognize three separate snow goose populations. Thewestern population breeds in Alaska and Canada’s Yukon, Northwest and Nunavutterritories and winters from Oregon south to Mexico, with concentrations in thecentral valleys of California. The midcontinent population breeds from NunavutTerritory east to Hudson Bay and winters in the U.S. Midwest south to Louisianaand Texas. The eastern population breeds on islands in the High Arctic,including Ellesmere and Baffin, then winters along the Atlantic Coast fromMassachusetts to South Carolina, with concentrations in southeastern Pennsylvania,New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia and North Carolina.

In winter, snow geese are highly gregarious and often feed inflocks numbering thousands of individuals. Migrants follow all four major NorthAmerican flyways. Migration north from wintering areas takes place fromFebruary to May. Snow geese depart from the northern breeding areas inSeptember and arrive in wintering habitats in November and December.

Snow Goose Population

Around 1900, the snow goose population had ebbed to only 2,000 to3,000 birds. But during the 20th century and into the 21st, the populationburgeoned as snow geese took advantage of increased food supplies along migrationroutes and in wintering areas. In some areas, populations have increased asmuch as nine percent annually. Biologists estimate there are now 5 million to 6million snow geese in North America, a population that may be too large to beenvironmentally sustainable.

Since 1998, goose hunters have harvested 1 to 1.5 million snowgeese annually. Recent conservation hunts implemented in the U.S. and Canadahave been successful in doubling harvest rates and reducing the population.When snow goose numbers are too large, the birds’ feeding can destroy their ownhabitat, which is also used by other species. Hunting provides the best meansfor keeping goose numbers in check.

Guns And Loads

Although they are big birds, snow geese have a relatively smallkill zone. The total area in which pellets will kill a goose is just one-tenththe bird’s total size. To ensure your shots hit the vital zone with enoughpower, you need to pattern your guns and determine the correct loads.

Most goose hunters opt to use a 10-gauge or magnum 12-gauge withsize BB, BBB or T shot. Nontoxic shot is mandatory everywhere. Because steelshot has a tighter pattern than lead does, the best chokes when using steel aremodified and improved modified. However, each choke is unique, which is why goosehunters should pattern their guns before the season

Snow Goose Decoys

Snow goose decoys come in several styles: full-body, shell,floating, rags, silhouettes, magnums and specialty items such as goose flagsand motion decoys. Ideally, the goose hunter should use some variety in thegoose decoy spread and use goose decoys most suitable for the area beinghunted. When goose hunting a big farm field, for example, you’ll probably wantlots of inexpensive rag decoys with some full-bodied dekes mixed in and a flagto draw the birds’ attention. When goose hunting a river where geese go to restat night, floating decoys will be wanted, along with a few standing decoys toplace along the banks.

The number of goose decoys used depends largely on the goosehunter’s budget and the type area being hunted. But when goose hunting snows,one must never forget that bigger goose decoy spreads almost always are better.If possible, set out a few hundred at least, or better yet, a thousand or more

Remember these things regardless of the type or number of goosedecoys used:

· Keep goose decoys well away from fence lines, overgrown ditchesand other cover where geese may perceive a predator, or hunter, to be hiding.

· Set the goose decoys to take advantage of the goose’s tendency toland with the wind in their faces. Walking and swimming geese also prefer to befacing into the wind, so decoys should be positioned in this manner forrealism.

· Don’t place goose decoys so close together it is difficult forgeese to land among them. Leave an opening in the spread that invites birds toland there, and have that opening within range of your gun.

· Have all your goose decoys in place before sunrise so you’ll beready when the birds arrive.

Except during late conservation seasons when electronic goosecallers often are allowed, if you want to become a good goose hunter, you mustbecome a good caller. This isn’t something you can learn the weekend prior togoose season. Start early and practice.

Snow Goose Calling

Snow Goose Hunting Tips

There’s no such thing as a casual snow goose hunt, one reason manywaterfowlers don’t participate. This sport requires large goose decoy spreadsand constant scouting.

First, you must study movement patterns of geese where you want togoose hunt, then securepermission to hunt where concentrations are located. (Most hunting is onprivate hunting lands.) When geese start using a field, they stay until thefood supply is exhausted. Being there after they’ve started using the field andbefore they’ve eaten it out is the trick.

When it comes to snow goose decoy spreads, bigger usually isbetter. The decoys should be in place before sunrise to take advantage of thesnow goose’s propensity for flying early.

Avoid the temptation to shoot when the first geese start droppinginto your set-up. Veteran waterfowlers hold off until the lead geese are touchingdown and geese in the rear of the flock are well within gun range before makingtheir move.

Remember this rule of thumb as well: If, when aiming, the end ofyour gun barrel covers more than half the bird, the goose is beyond 45 yardsand is too far away for a clean kill.

Snow Goose HuntingConclusion

2012 Snow Goose Season Will Begin February 1 in Missouri

2012-01-09T09:09:00.001-08:00

Well I would use alot of words to describe the picuture but i think that everyone can see it. Some of our days have been slow now doubt even a couple of one birds days. However, I can gurantee that the biggest days are still to come. In 2012. www.snowgooseguides.com

Muzzlelaoader Trophy Whitetail 2011 - Mitchell Bodiford

2011-12-21T06:30:00.001-08:00

Mitchell Bodiford with his 2011 Nebraska muzzleloader trophy whitetail deer that will easily score in the 150's.

Johnny Hall Scores With 160 Archery Harvest

2011-12-07T08:11:00.001-08:00

Congratulation to Johnny on this great archery harvest the week before rifle.

I'd recommend Scott to anyone, his enthusiasm runs over, and rubs off onto the hunters. He does his home work and during the deer hunt for the wife and I we saw many 130-140" deer. We were able to bring a 160", 300 pound brute home and saw a couple even bigger, opportunities abound As with his turkey hunts, he gives his all for his hunter as well pushes you and will not let you lose confidence because he HAS done his home work for you. Great spirit, great attitude and great guy! Thanks Johnny & Teri

Nebraska Trophy Whitetails - Outfitters

2011-12-07T08:06:00.001-08:00

The 2011 whitetail deer season is a huge success.

Johnny & Teri Hall Score Merriam's Turkeys In Nebraska

2011-07-29T09:10:00.000-07:00

Scott

"Man what a trip, most likely the most fun ever on what turned out to be a one day hunt.

My wife was skeptical about going along but now after hunting with Scott, she understands the addiction, now she is hooked also and can't wait to come back.

I'd highly recommend hunting with Scott, he knows his business well and at the same time will keep you fully entertained, genuine great guy to be around and did I mention the hunting was great too"

Johnny & Teri Hall
Jonesboro,LA

Scott Croner "The Nebraska Turkey Interceptor "

2011-04-28T15:35:00.001-07:00

Scott hunts turkey like a Nebraska lawman hot on the trail of a escaped convict !!! I arrived at 12:30 p.m.on Friday, with cloudy sky's and winds blowing in excess of 20 mph which are not ideal hunting conditions. I was back at the lodge with 2 long beards by 5:00p.m.

The next morning Scott set me up on a location he had scouted early in the season. Needless to say, I took care of business at 10 yards with my third Merriam at 7:30 a.m. I called Scott to come pick me up and when he arrived, the back of his Suburban was stacked with gobblers harvested by three of his repeat hunters that he guided on a hunt that morning. I've hunted with so called guides in Kansas and Alabama, but Nebraska Hunting Co. is the real deal. I will be back next year with several of my clients. ( 5) Stars*****

P.S. be sure and tip the cook-best prime rib west of the Mississippi!

Greg Hill
870-312-1482
El Dorado,Arkansas

Wengler & Weathers Team Up On Nebraska Merriam's, Rio's and Hybrids

2011-04-28T09:56:00.001-07:00

Amanda and Brent team up to harvest 4 mature gobblers in less than 24 hours.

Slam - A - Rama By John Ferris - Spring Turkey Hunt In Nebraska

2011-04-26T07:29:00.000-07:00

Scott doesn’t just put you on the birds he quickly adapts to what you are looking to get out of your hunt and delivers. These are wild free-range non-pressured birds that will give you a unique hunting experience.

I have never passed up a 2-year-old gobbler in my life. On my hunt I passed up at least ½ dozen of them and scored two trophy birds. Scott put me on more birds in a three-day hunt than I see all season in my home state.

Scott knows where to find the birds and has a technique that will amaze you - something you will need to see to believe. My hunt with Scott had many encounters with the turkeys just yards away - that left my heart pumping and me breathless.

100,000 acres, 1 guide, and limited hunters – you do the math - a premium hunting experience. You should go on a Nebraska Merriam's turkey hunt with Scott Croner.

John Ferris
New York
April 2011 Turkey Hunt

Opening Weekend Nebraska Merriam's Turkey Hunting

2011-04-18T08:35:00.000-07:00

Merriam's Turkey Hunting

Well opening weekend was as productive as ever 12 gobblers in less than 24 hours even with a little snow on the ground.

Barbecued Wild Turkey

2011-04-06T08:57:00.001-07:00

Ingredients

One stick (1/2 cup) margarine
1/2 cup chopped green onions or chives
1/4 cup lemon juice
1 Tbsp. thyme and savory, mixed
1 cup broth
3 Tbsp. parsley

Directions

Cut turkey into pieces across the grain. Cook onions until tender in butter, add other ingredients. Bring to a full boil. Cover each piece of turkey with this mixture. Baste often on grill. Cook 45 to 55 minutes or until done.

Merriam's Spring Shotgun Season Starts April 16, 2011 - Checklist

2011-03-30T14:00:00.001-07:00

Equipment:
Shotgun
Turkey loads
Turkey choke tube
Patterning targets
Camo blind — where legal
Seat, cushioned stool
Shotgun sling
Turkey decoys
Camera
Lo Boy
Lite Chair
Monopod gun rest
ThermaCELL
Compass Maps
Knife
Ratchet cutters
Insect repellent
Flashlight
Trail ribbon
Binoculars
Camo tape
Cooler
Water bottle
First aid kit

Clothes:
Camo gloves
Camo facenet
Camo paint
Camo make-up
Camo shirt
Camo pants
Camo jacket
Camo turkey vest or pack
Camo cap
Camo socks
Camo undershirts
Rain suit

Calls:
Box call
Diaphragm calls
Slate or glass pot & peg call
Glass call
Gobble call
Tube call
Push-pin call
Turpin/wingbone call
Crow/locator call
Owl hooter call locator calls

Call Accessories:
Box call chalk
Sandpaper
Call lanyard
Box call holster

Archery gear:
Bow (camouflaged)
Broadheads
3-D Camo clothes
3-D targets

To Do:
Get license/turkey tags
Pattern shotgun

Mike Lewellen And His Banded Snow Goose

2011-03-15T05:58:00.001-07:00

Mike enjoys harvesting his first banded snow goose.

2011 Snow Goose Season Continues - Juvies Are Coming

2011-03-08T14:54:00.000-08:00

Snow Goose Season 2011 - Mound City, Missouri

2011-03-02T05:46:00.000-08:00

The season continues to roll on with over 1.5 million snow geese either on Squaw Creek NWR or in the area there are pleanty of geese. However the snow geese here are the oldest and smartest and if you make one mistake decoying them they are gone. We had an experienced group from Nebraska yesterday and they didnt make any mistakes. Oh I forgot to mention someone was sleeping when we took the shot on one bunch.

Spring Snow Goose Hunting - In The Midst Of Chaos

2011-02-13T18:42:00.000-08:00

Scott,

It was great talking to you today and I can't wait to to hunt with you again this year. Everything you told me was right on.The timing, decoys, layout blinds.... everything was great. It's Hard to findguides that REALLY know whats going on and not just filling a field.

Sean Gillooly

Guided Spring Snow Goose Hunts: Conservation Action

2011-02-11T16:14:00.000-08:00

Spring Snow Goose Hunting in Early Spring

WHITE OUT: Mid Continent population studies indicate that between the mid 1960s and now, snow goose numbers grew from an estimated 50,000 to more than one million. Officials predict that by the middle of the next decade, roughly two million snowies might compete for limited space, doubling in current size. (Delta Waterfowl media photo)

By Steve Hickoff

The so-called regular waterfowl seasons may be over, but don’t put your gear away just yet. Clean it, for sure, but keep it ready to roll . . .

In the heavily human-populated Atlantic Flyway where I write this — and elsewhere around the United States — it’s not just humankind competing for space. Snow goose numbers are at all-time highs, migration time depending.

That’s good news for hunters. In late-winter and early-spring you can jumpstart your waterfowl season, extending it into spring turkey time.

Snow goose numbers exceed available food and habitat in many areas. As a result, federal and state wildlife management organizations now offer expanded seasons for these waterfowl in many locations. By conservation order, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has specifically mandated this effort to control growing numbers.

Though they’re hunted elsewhere, eight states in the Atlantic Flyway were open last year under the “conservation order” for late-winter and early-spring snow goose hunting. These included North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland and Delaware to the south, and New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York and Vermont to the north. Check your current regulations as changes may appear there.

More geese? Waterfowl hunters couldn’t be happier. So how do you hunt them?

First check to see if your state offers a late-winter or early-spring season. Many do.

Once licenses, permits and stamps are secured, assess your waterfowling gear. You may need to amp up your decoy holdings with snow goose fakes. Shells and full-body options are widely available for this growing sport.

As with real estate, location is everything. Scout for these so-called “light geese” in agricultural haunts. Gain permission from landowners to hunt these spots. Be there before dawn the next morning to set your spread of dekes.

Huddled in a layout blind, snow goose calls on a lanyard around your neck, non-toxic loads chambered in your shotgun, you’re ready to roll.

Some other tips to hunting these light geese include:

Your effort to find them might begin where they roost, and include locating a nearby field where they feed and/or might forage. Study them for a pattern of use. They’ll often move and feed early in the day and later in the afternoon, loafing elsewhere during midday. Sometimes too they just move on.

Study maps, drive and glass fields, and seek landowner permission at all costs, explaining what you’ll be doing and even why. Set your spread at midday for later afternoon hunts. If it feels right, get back there the next morning too. Don’t pressure a spot; then again, hunt it while it’s hot and even just a little warm.

As camouflage goes, wear white if snow covers the ground, or standard options if you’re in a layout blind or using natural cover. Blend in, no matter what. Snowies feel the pressure, and adjust accordingly. If possible, hide all unnatural evidence, including your truck, trailer and four-wheeler. Make it look real.

Spreads should consist of as many snow goose decoys as possible. Full body snows, shell fakes, and silhouettes should round off your presentation. It’s not unusual for a hardcore snow goose hunter to place several hundred to even 1,000 or more decoys out in a field, and even use wing flags to impart movement to the spread.

Snow Goose Action

Merriam's Turkey Hunting Is For Everyone

2011-01-13T10:33:00.000-08:00

My trip to Nebraska to hunt turkeys with Scott Croner in May 2010 turned out to be one of the greatest hunting trips I have taken. The accommodations where excellent and Scott's knowledge and abilities made this trip memorable. Scott is the hardest working guide I have ever encountered, and his drive to provide a successful and enjoyable hunt is second to none. Scott thanks again for the great hunt and look forward to hunting with you again."
Ron Bieterman

Spring Snow Goose Guides - Scott Croner - Missouri & Nebraska

2011-01-04T11:16:00.000-08:00

Spring Snow Goose Season is just weeks away.

Merriam's Spring Turkey Hunting Guide - Scott Croner - Going for 100

2011-01-04T11:15:00.000-08:00

Ellis Scores on a Big 8

2010-12-29T18:05:00.000-08:00

After going Merriam's turkey hunting with Scott Croner in May and tagging out I knew I had to go on a deer hunt with him when the opportunity came up. I booked my deer hunt for muzzleloader season the second week in December. After talking to Scott several times on the phone before I arrived I was very excited about what he was telling me he had been seeing. I arrived in Nebraska City mid afternoon and was greeted by Scott. He took me to a spot on the edge of a soybean field and said he had been seeing a 140-150 class buck in the area along with some 130 class bucks. Two hours later I caught a glimpse of a big buck walking a ridge across from me. I grunted and he turned and walked right towards me. I guess buck fever set in because I made a bad shot and hit him in the gut. Scott and I blood trailed him for a little while that evening but decided to back out when we ran out of blood and lost light. The next morning I was happy to see Scott had two other people with him to help us find the deer. It took us about an hour and we found him the biggest buck I've ever taken a 144" 8-pointer. I've hunted with 6 different outfitters in my life and Scott Croner is the best I have hunted with. I already have a deer hunt booked for next deer season and plan on booking many more.

Ellis, Villa Rica, Georgia

Scott Croner - 2010 Whitetail Deer

2010-11-23T07:28:00.000-08:00

Wow, what a hunt you can have in your own back yard.

Duck Hunting in Bluffs above the Missouri

2010-10-03T06:03:00.000-07:00

We are ducking in the bluffs the am just above the Missouri what an awesome morning.

Spring Snow Goose Guides and Hunts - Squaw Creek - Mound, City MO

2010-01-06T13:10:00.000-08:00

We will kick off the 2010 snow goose season in Mound City, Missouri don't miss it.

Feb 20 -March 15, 2010

http://www.snowgooseguides.com/
402-304-1192

Potatoes with Your Meat ( Deer, Duck, Goose, Pheasant)

2009-12-25T07:46:00.000-08:00

Ultimate Garlic Mashed Potatoes with Cheese
Ingredients

10 red skin potatoes washed and diced
1 sm tub sour cream
1 block cream cheese
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 bag colby jack shreeded cheese
4 scallion chopped
1/2 cup half and half

Cooking Instructions
Boil potatoes with skins on mash potatoes with half and half garlic salt pepper most of cheesestir in sour cream until desired consistency to serve top with cheese and scallipon delicious but very fatening

Spring Snow Goose Guides - Squaw Creek, MO

2009-12-09T09:24:00.000-08:00

Weekend Hunts - Thursday -Sunday

Feb. 25 - 28, 2010
March 4 - 7, 2010
March 11 - 14, 2010

Snow Goose Guides - Mound City, MO

Snow Goose Brochure

Aging & Freezing Meat

2009-10-12T08:39:00.000-07:00

AGING - Aging of meat is done for two reasons: First and foremost, it is a tenderization process. Second, it produces flavors that are different from those of fresh meat.

What occurs during aging to make meat more tender? What develops the flavors? - Actually, in a manner of speaking the meat is kind of "digesting itself". You see even though the animal is dead, the cells in the muscle are still alive. They produce enzymes that break down protein as part of a normal body function of "tear down and rebuild". However, when muscle no longer has a blood supply, only the "tear down" part takes place. Enzymes called "cathepsins" break down part of the structural portion of muscle and make it more tender.

The unique flavors of aged meat come from lipid oxidation and protein lysis. What the hell is that? Well, lipid oxidation is actually the fat turning slightly rancid. Yup, rancid. Protein lysis simply means that the molecules are breaking into pieces and the pieces have different flavors than the whole protein....probably more than you wanted to know. This is a little important when we get to the topic of freezing tho'.

There are 2 kinds of aging: Dry aging and wet aging. I don't advocate wet aging for the simple reason that it often promotes the growth of too much bacteria and mold on the surface of the carcass. Considering we are talking about wild game here and it's often not processed under ideal conditions, it's much better and "food-safer" and utilize dry aging. Before I go into how to age meat, let me first explain more about why we age meat and why is sometimes NOT appropriate to age the carcass.

Muscle tissue contains connective tissues. The connective tissue proteins called "collagen" and "elastin" are what actually hold muscles, bones and other organs together in the body. As an animal ages, the molecules of connective tissue protein begin to "cross link". One strand of protein will bind to others nearby. As far as we can tell, this process continues pretty much throughout an animal's life, at least in ruminants. The older the animal, the more cross linking and the more toughness.

Kind of an interesting side note: Cross linking and the development of toughness does not occur at nearly the same levels in swine species. Because pork has more collagen and less elastin, meat from old pigs is only slightly tougher than the meat from young ones.

Here's the point where it may not be appropriate to age wild game - if you do shoot a yearling animal, whether is taken as a cull or shot for camp food, you may want to consider skipping the aging. One upside of not aging the meat is the flavor notes are a bit cleaner. It's your choice either way. (When I get around to typing out notes on meat prep, I'll give you a real simple 4-hour tenderization/hydration method that works every time. This is what I use instead of aging for yearling venison.)

Anyway back to the topic - Most of the animals we take are mature, adult animals. They are also not domestic critters that were bred and selected for over hundreds of generations to end up on our supper table. In point of fact, all the selection that has taken place has favored the fastest, strongest and toughest of them all. The meat will benefit from some degree of tenderization.

Dry aging is simple. There's two basic ways. The most trouble-free way is to get the meat chilled down (to about 35-40F) and get through the first 24 hours so rigor is complete as I spelled out in my first post. Then hold the carcass (still hanging by the hind legs) at that temperature for about 8-9 days. After 8-9 days, you can butcher as normal and cook or freeze the meat.

The faster way to age meat is to simply take the cooler temperature up to 50F and hold for 4-5 days. Again, it still has to be hanging by the hind legs. After 4 or 5 days, you can start butchering. For each 18 degrees F )10 degrees C) that you raise the temperature, you double the rate of chemical reactions. Enzymatic break down of connective tissue is a chemical reaction, so that's why the higher holding temperature ages meat faster.

For a long time in the meat industry, there was a belief that aging could not occur at lower temperatures. This is simply not true. There are numerous studies that have proven that aging tenderization even takes place in the vacuum sealed bags used for packing primal cuts. It just happens more slowly at lower temps.

FREEZING

OK, 2 notes right away about freezing meat:

1. Don't even THINK about freezing meat until the whole carcass has gone through rigor. I think I've spent enough time on the reasons why.

2. No piece of meat was ever improved by freezing. Fresh meat is ALWAYS better. When we freeze meat, the best we can hope for is not to damage it too much.

Here are the things to do get the best results when freezing meat and some of the reasons why:

A. PACKAGE MEAT IN AIR-TIGHT, MOISTURE-PROOF MATERIALS. Exclude air as much as is possible. Why? Even at freezer temperatures, fat can turn rancid. It just happens more slowly. Air is required for "oxidative rancidity", so keeping air out reduces off flavors. Also, believe it or not, water can evaporate off of the meat even at tempertures this low. Moisture proof containers keep water from being lost. The very best containers are the vacuum seal bags.

B. FREEZE AS FAST AS POSSIBLE. Why? The faster meat freezes, the smaller the ice crystals that form inside of the cells. Small crystals usually don't rupture muscle cells. Large crystals do. When you get cells ruptured, you lose way too much "meat juice" upon thawing. This results in dry, tough, chewy meat. As you would guess, piling meat in one spot in the freezer is a bad idea. Spreading it out or putting spacers between layers promotes much faster freezing. The VERY FASTEST freezing occurs when you put packaged pieces one layer thick on cookie sheets and alternate the freezer fill like this: meat layer-cookie sheet-meat layer-cookie sheet. Just make sure that air can circulate

C. THAW SLOWLY. Let a piece of meat thaw in the refrigerator until it is at least 32 F (0 C). If you don't have enough time to do that, use the old paperbag trick that your Mother used for thawing Thanksgiving turkeys. Just thaw the meat as slow as you can. Why? Even though juice comes out of ice-disrupted cells, there is some reabsorbtion by the contractile proteins, it just takes a little time.

D. KEEP IT COLD & DON'T KEEP IN THE FREEZER TOO LONG - The old "rules of thumb" are 6 months for pork and 9 months for meat from any ruminant. This is based on the typical home freezer running at 0 F. If your freezer will hold -20 F, you can hold the meat at least 50% longer than that. HOWEVER, if you aged your meat before freezing it, knock 1/3rd off of these numbers. Why? Because you already started oxidative rancidity of the fat with the aging process.

That's all for tonight. I think I'll tackle sausage-making basics next.

Location: Eastern Wisconsin
Member Of: SCI Northeast Wisconsin Chapter, NRA, Local Sportsmen's Club

Pheasant Hunting - Americana Outdoors

2009-09-24T16:09:00.000-07:00

Pheasant Hunting with Aaron Booth & Americana Outdoors

Pheasant Season - Opens - October 31, 2009 -- Deer Opens Nov 14, 2009

2009-09-22T16:19:00.001-07:00

Pheasant Hunting just the way you want it with a lot of pheasants.

Deer Season Opens - Nov. 14, 2009

2009-09-22T15:51:00.000-07:00

The Nebraska Hunting Company has a limted number of trophy deer hunting spots still available. Call for pricing (402) 304-1192 or visit us at www.nebraskahunting.net

Realtree: Community: Nebraska Merriam's Mania

2009-07-15T21:42:00.000-07:00

Realtree: Community: Nebraska Merriam Mania: "Nebraska Merriam's Mania
By Brandon Wikman, Bass Pro NGX Team
The rumors tucked away in the Sand Hills of central Nebraska hold more truth than told. Deep in this picturesque valley of cedars, sand and lofty hills, is a sought after secret of the mystical Merriam’s turkey.

Plenty of the country hunted was open, but the birds have a propensity to find and use available cover to their advantage.
realtree.com imageThe time-crazy world hasn't changed the background of the old ranch town I stayed at. As I passed through the hundred yard main street strip of not-a-whole-lot, I soon became familiarized of what the little town was known for from the camouflage jackets and cowboy hats worn by the locals. I marveled at cattle ranchers stringing barbed-wire fence by hand for miles, while others admired their massive prairie burns. I felt as if I were taken back to the cowboy days and imagined the covered wagons trekking across the desolate land. Sod houses from the 1800's still stood amongst the canyons and withheld their enduring beauty throughout years of erosion.
THE GRAND QUEST
Although, the scenery and generalization of the Sand Hills inspired my historic inner-feelings, I was there to conquer the last species of turkey for my Grand Slam quest and face the secrets head-to-head with Nebraska Hunting Company, a nationally acclaimed outfitter from the heart of Nebraska."

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Steve Miller - Merriams Turkey Hunt

2009-07-14T09:18:00.000-07:00

"There is no better turkey hunt in the entire country!!! From the moment you arrive..Scott treats you like a good hunting buddy...outstanding Merriam's turkey habitat...tons of gobblers...and Scottie will put them in your lap...in full strut. A very active hunt...covering lots of ground...and working multiple birds...Scott is an outstanding guide with tons of knowledge. After chasing these crazy birds for over 30 years...I can honestly say..."BEST TURKEY HUNT IN MY LIFETIME." Give Scott a holler...you will not be disappointed...and to top it all off...the hunt is a true bargain and value. Nebraska Hunting Company and Scott Croner are the real deal"

--Steve Miller
Lansing, KS

Nebraska Hunting Outfitters

2009-07-14T08:33:00.000-07:00

Nebraska Hunting Outfitters: "Hunting Turkey: Merriam's in Nebraska

We have had a very nice article posted about our Merriam Turkey hunting programs and one of our clients, Mr Todd Ried, by Albert over at The Rasch Outdoor Chronicles.

Hunting Trophy Turkey: Merriam's in Nebraska covers some information about all six turkeys found in North America, and also talks about Todd's melanistic Merriam's turkey.

Sincerly,
J Scott Croner
Nebraska Hunting Company