Eat Local...Go Hunting
By Marisa Futral, Alabama Hunter Education Coordinator
ness, cattle producers give the animals
antibiotics whether they are needed or
not. Most are also given growth hormones
and large amounts of grain to speed up
their weight gain so they can go to the
slaughterhouse quicker. However, when
you hunt your own food you know that
the animals you harvest have not ingested
antibiotics or artificial hormones. This
translates to healthier food for the family
table.
W
In addition, venison, wild turkey and
other game meat is lower in fat than
commercial poultry, pork and beef. For
example, 3 ounces of venison contains
only 3 grams of fat, while 3 ounces of
commercially raised beef contains 18
grams of fat. This means that venison is
also lower in calories. That same 3-ounce
serving of venison has only 134 calories,
while 3 ounces of pork has 214 calories
and beef has 259 calories. Therefore,
even if you eat the same portion of meat,
you are eating fewer calories with venison. Wild game may even help you lose
Wild game meat is better for you than weight!
most processed beef and poultry. The
majority of grocery store beef comes from As an added bonus, wild game meat concommercial operations where cattle are tains omega-3 fatty acids, which studies
housed in mass quantities. When many show are beneficial to the heart. These
animals are kept close to each other, they compounds also play vital roles in every
are prone to sickness. To prevent sick- cell of the human body, and wild game
hen most people think of
eating local, they think
of local farmers’ markets
with fruits and vegetables.
In Alabama, the State
Department of Agriculture has a very
effective “buy local” campaign encouraging the use of locally grown foods.
That is great for agricultural crops, but
what about those who would also enjoy
the homegrown approach for meat? One
solution is to go hunting.
meat is loaded with them. Omega-3 fatty
acids form in the chloroplasts of green
leaves, a big part of the diet of many game
animals.
The meat of commercially raised beef
that does not have access to pasture grasses lacks other beneficial vitamins and
nutrients that are present in wild game.
For instance, most game meat is higher
in protein, iron, zinc and B vitamins than
commercial meats. Some people experience vitamin deficiencies because they
are living on mostly processed foods. By
including wild game meat as a part of
your diet, you can help eliminate vitamin
deficiencies and enjoy better health.
In summary, when you consume wild
game meats, your food will be healthier
for you and as close to natural as possible. Become part of the “eat local”
movement − go hunting!
The Alabama Department of Conservation
and Natural Resources promotes wise
stewardship, management and enjoyment
of Alabama’s natural resources through
five divisions: Marine Police, Marine
Resources, State Lands, State Parks, and
Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries. To
learn more about ADCNR visit www.outdooralabama.com.
Outdoor Women Unlimited “No Limits” Recipes
By Jennifer Meadows
Jennifer Meadows is an Agriscience teacher at Elmore County
High School in Eclectic, Alabama. In 2005, Jennifer moved from
Orlando, Florida, with her husband and daughter, to escape
the fast paced “big city” life. Having grown up in a small town
in Central Louisiana, she was seeking a Southern town with a
slower pace of life. Jennifer shares, “That’s when I met Rebecca
Wood, who is a teacher at Elmore County and also, Founder
of Outdoor Women Unlimited.” Rebecca urged my daughter
and I to participate in an event her organization was hosting
called The OWU Southern Classic. Well, after one event, Jennifer
quotes, “I was hooked!” “This organization provides women a
safe and non-threatening way to explore all the outdoor activities
they could possibly want; but never knew how to go
about it,” Jennifer states.” “Also, my daughter,
Justine, who was in the 6th grade when I
became an OWU member, and I have
experienced everything OWU has to
offer, including chartering an all
girls OWU Boy Scouts of America
Venture Crew. The OWU BSA
Venture Crew 380, under the
leadership of Rebecca, participated in a deer hunting
trip to North Alabama! Truly
an experience of a life time
for 6 volunteer adults and
18 Venture Crew members.
Jennifer shares, “ WE have
so many memories of times
together in the great outdoors
32 | BLAZE | WINTER 2013
and have formed a wonderful bond of friendship, between mother
and daughter, that she has taken with her as begins another chapter in
life through college.
Jennifer selected Crawfish and Corn Soup because it is one of her
family’s favorites. Her mother prepared on cold, rainy days down
home in Louisiana. It was one of the favorite dishes of our OWU BSA
Venture Crew 380 prepared by Tony Chachere’s nephew on our North
Alabama deer hunt. Jennifer shares with her readers, “I hope you enjoy
this Louisiana classic which will warm ya’ll through and through.
Crawfish & Corn Soup
1 stick of margarine
1 bunch of green onions, chopped
*Sauté for 10 minutes then add:
Seasoning (to taste)
2 cans of cream of potato soup
2 cans of whole kernel sweet corn
1 pint of half and half
1 pkg. of cream cheese (8oz.), softened
1 or 2 cans of sliced or diced potatoes
1/8 to 1/4 cup sugar (to taste)
*Cook until heated throughout and
the cheese has melted.
*Serve with sweet cornbread
Accept No Limits | outdoorwomenunlimited.org