Homesteader Depot

Tag: hunting

  • Game Meat: From Field to Freezer

    Game Meat: From Field to Freezer

    You’ve chosen your weapon, you’ve stalked your prey, you’ve made your shot, you’ve downed your first kill…Now What?

     

    First – Get Those Guts Out

    The faster you can remove the entrails, the better off you’ll be.  But what is fast?  Most experts will tell you if you can get it accomplished in less than 4 hours after the kill, you’ll probably be OK.

     

    Next – Skin the Hide

    You’ll need to remove the skin shortly after the guts so the meat can begin to cool.

    As you go, avoid puncturing the meat or cutting through the hide to let fur onto the meat as both ways can let harmful bacteria in.

    When you do get fur on the meat, you can pick it off with your fingers or burn it off with a torch to kill any bacterial contamination.

    Once the animal has been relieved of its skin, cover it with a cloth game back or clean fabric.  This cover will absorb any oozing blood and guard it against contamination.

     

    Cool It

    While gutting and skinning gets the cooling process started, you’ll need to continue and speed up this process to ensure the meat doesn’t spoil.

    If you are dressing your kill before you leave the area, keep a portable cooler in your vehicle so you can expedite the cooling process. If you only have ice available, try to keep it in sealed containers.  Exposure to water (ice) can compromise the texture of your meat and affect its flavor.  If you have the means, consider a clean ice alternative like ice packs or frozen water bottles.

    Have your cooler cooled and ready to go so there will be no delay in getting your meat down to optimal temps.

    Get Slicing

    Using a sharp set of tools, butcher your meat for optimal storage and to make easy use of it later.

    This process also is the time to rid the meat of unwanted items like silverskin, tendons, or large vessels that sometimes appear in the muscle tissue.  Basically, if you know you don’t want to eat it, cut it out now.

     

    Keep it Stored – Correctly

    If you are dealing with a big game kill, like a deer, you probably aren’t going to be able to consume all your fresh meat before it spoils.  Freezing the surplus will give you access to protein months later, but you need to make sure you are using the proper storage supplies.  Containers and storage bags specifically designed for “Freezer” use are what you want.  Anything else isn’t going to be made of a thick enough barrier to prevent freezer burn.  Ziplock and Glad both make excellent products for long-term deep freeze storage, or you can go old school with freezer paper and masking tape.  This option also makes labeling what’s inside, a breeze.

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    Ideally, you’ll want to portion your meat according to how much you and your family will eat in one sitting.  This eliminates thawing out more than you need since it’s dangerous to re-freeze meat after it’s been thawed unless you cook it first.

     

    Keeping it Cheap

    If you have the ability to hunt for food, you could save hundreds on grocery bills.  Whether you live in a rural area or take the time to spend a long weekend stocking up before going back to the urban jungle, being able to dress it, butcher it and store it in a timely manner will is a wonderful skill. These skills will also allow you to provide for yourself in an emergency survival situation.

     

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  • 3 Creative Ways to Fish Without a Pole

    3 Creative Ways to Fish Without a Pole

    Fishing can be many things, from a food source to recreation, a type of meditation for some but to others a popular competitive sport.  Often a rite of passage full of tradition that is passed down from generation to generation.  Most of us are at least familiar with the concept of fishing, usually with a rod and reel, or if out on the high seas, with a really big net!

    But, are there other ways to get the job done, especially if you are looking to feed your family inexpensively?  You bet!

    Here are 3 ways to catch fish in any situation if you take the time to gather or bring the right supplies.

    Bucket Fishing

    This method has often been used by fishermen on Lake Bruin in Louisiana.  When catfish begin spawning, the locals use a technique they refer to as “bucket fishing.”

    To try it, you’ll need a lidded bucket and some strong line long enough to reach the fish.  Cut a semicircular hole in the lid of the bucket and add enough weight to sink it while still being able to pull it up when it’s full of water (and hopefully fish).  Depending on the size of the bucket you are using, it’s a good idea to tackle this type of fishing with a buddy.

    When you are ready, sink the buckets into the water deep enough to reach the fish.  During spawning, catfish enter the bucket to spawn and become trapped as the bucket is lifted up rapidly enough to keep them in.

    Once brought to the surface, either tie off the bucket to the side of the boat and transfer the fish one by one to a live well or stringer or lift the bucket fish, water and all into the boat and move on.  This technique has proven to be highly effective.

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    Bow and Arrow or Spear Fishing

    In a survival situation, this can be particularly effective if you have the skills and not a lot of supplies.  With a decent knife, you can create your own spear, smoothing it and sharpening the end then hardening the tip over the coals of a fire.

    Related Article:  “DIY Bow and Arrow”

    Once your spear or bow and arrows are created and ready, attach a line, if available, and go “hunting” under the surface of the nearest viable water source.  If you are fishing in a lake, an attached line will most likely be needed unless you are able to stay in very shallow water and have the fish come to you.

    Gap Netting

    Even with the barest of supplies you can build a net and use this method to get your next meal. All you need is a ball of twine and a knife or something sharp for cutting the twine. This method will work best in a shallow river or stream, but a natural viaduct between 2 larger bodies of water, like 2 lakes, will work if needed.

    If you already have a net, fantastic!  Here is what to do with it.

    Find an environment where water currents flow through a narrow area, like some rocks or fallen tree limbs, or a narrow crossing from one side to the other.  To create an area, fill in the space from either side with rocks or other debris.

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    Position your net on the side of the gap that faces the current and secure it into place.  Run a stick through the top of the net to keep it from collapsing.  If possible, prop the stick upon the rocks you’ve used to create the gap.

    Now, you can encourage fish to swim in the direction of your net by beating the water or tossing rocks systematically further out and then closer to direct them toward you.

    After you’ve got through a systematic routine to herd the fish, stop and check your net.  Repeat the herding steps until you’ve caught something.

    Although some may feel these 3 methods aren’t very sporting, when you are fishing to feed yourself and your family and not merely as a form of recreation, that’s not what matters.  What matters is staying alive and healthy.

     

  • DIY Bow and Arrow

    DIY Bow and Arrow

    From Cavemen to Robin Hood and our own Native American neighbors, a well-crafted bow and arrow set has provided food and protection for humans for thousands of years.  And while the technology has certainly advanced, if you find yourself in need of a weapon for hunting or protection, the tried and true “primitive” design of old will give you what you need every time.

    First, some vocabulary:

    Belly:  the inside of the bend when a bow faces you while in use.

    Back:  the outside of the bend.

    Handhold:  the center area of the bow

    Upper limb:  the area above the handhold

    Lower limb: the area below the handhold

    Fletchings: the feathers or other material attached to the back of the arrows

    Tiller: tillering is the adjustment of tiller by removing material from a bow limb or limbs.

    Selecting Your Stick

    There are some things to be aware of when selecting raw wood for your bow.  The piece should be dead and dry but not so old that it’s cracking, brittle or fraying. Hardwoods work best, these include oak, hickory, yew, lemon tree, black locust or teak.

    Make sure the stick is free of knots, twists or protruding limbs and preferably be thicker at the center. Keep the length between 5-6 feet long

    Finally, the length must be flexible.

    Green wood pieces cut from a living tree can be used in a pinch, but don’t provide the same force and power that a dried piece will.  If you are doing this at home and can plan ahead, cutting several that meet all the criteria and letting them dry for a few months will ensure you have the best possible start for your project.

    If you are doing this in a survival scenario, then just do the best you can with the options you have available.

    Every stick has its own natural curve, to find this, put one end of your stick on the ground while lightly holding the top with a hand.  Next, use your other hand to lightly press into the sticks center. The stick will swivel as pressure is applied and the center bends.  To determine the handhold area.  Do this by marking 3 inches above and below the center point of the stick to create a 6-inch span.

    Shaping the Bow

    Always work only on the belly side.  Keeping the back area untouched will allow the natural strength of the wood to stay intact under the pressure it experiences during use.

    Begin to shave wood off the less flexible areas of the bow until both limbs curve in a similar manner to each other. As you work, you want your bow to be thickest in the handhold area.

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    You can check your progress regularly by flexing the wood. When both limbs are more flexible and symmetrical to each other in curve and diameter, you are ready for the next step.

    Cut notches 1-2 inches from each end to hold the bow string. They don’t have to be very deep, just enough to hold the string in place and not compromise the tips’ strength.

    Bow String

    Your string should be rigid, not stretchable.  Possible options include:

    • Rawhide
    • Nylon Cord
    • Hemp Cord
    • Fishing Line
    • Twine

    Cut your string a little shorter than the length of the bow stick. Then, tie a loose loop with a secure knot at each end of the string.  Slip it over the lower limb and then the upper limb.

    Finally, “Tiller” the bow to check for evenness as the limbs flex. To do this hang it upside down by the handhold from a tree branch or similar.  Pull downward on your string slowly to look for areas that are flexing unevenly. At this point, you can make final adjustments by carving out wood as required and re-checking. Once completed, your bow should tolerate being bent a distance equivalent to the length between your hand and your jaw.

    Constructing the Arrows

    Arrow wood should be in the same condition as bow wood, just half as long and thinner.

    First, shape your arrows. If you can’t find completely straight options, you can do it yourself by carefully heating the areas over hot coals, making sure you don’t burn or mar the wood.

    Next, you need to use a knife or other sharp tool to smooth the stick all the way around the length and carve a notch in the back to hold the bow string when aiming.

    The most readily available way to create an arrowhead is to sharpen the front of the arrow into a point.  This area can then be hardened by carefully heating it in the coals of a fire.

    Fletchings act similarly to rudders on a ship and can improve an arrow’s range of flight and accuracy. Depending on your needs at the time, the choice to add this feature is up to you.

    To include fletching, split the back of the arrow and slide the feathers in.  Then tightly wrap a thin thread around the fletching and arrow.

    Now, go out and test your new creation, taking precautions not to harm anything or anyone you aren’t intending to.  Remember, bows and arrows are weapons and should be treated as such.

     

  • What’s Edible in Your Area?

    What’s Edible in Your Area?

    If you had to rely on the land around you to sustain and nourish you during a disaster or a crisis, would you know what to look for?

    If you own your own property, from a small home in the suburbs to a sprawling homestead in the country, it’s very important to know what grows and lives on this land. Even if you live in an apartment in the city, odds are there’s some wildlife around that you should get to know.

    The thing is, no matter how much homesteading–meaning growing, processing, and preserving food, raising livestock, and investing in renewable, off-grid energy sources–we do in our own homes, there’s always the possibility that we can be cut off from our food supply. Even if that food supply is our own. Crops fail, money runs out, grids go down, grocery stores get cleared out and looted, etc.

    So if you were faced with a threat to your food supply, would you know where to look to supplement or replace it?

    Here are some tips on how to get to know the wild food sources on your homestead or in your area:

    Foraging

    Foraging for wild food has gained some popularity in the last decade, as people get more and more interested in where their food comes from and keeping it local. And it, obviously, is one of the best ways to get to know edible plants in your area.

    If you have a homestead, purchase a book of local wild edibles and walk the whole span of your property to see what you can find. Make this a regular habit, so you can learn to recognize the food sources. Bonus: you’ll probably get some free food out of this!

    Hunting, Trapping, and Fishing 

    If you’re lucky enough to be able to hunt, trap, or fish on your own property, you are truly blessed, and you should take advantage of this now so you can get to know what lives on your property and the best methods to catch them. If you don’t homestead, try to find out what people hunt in your area as well, and–you guessed it–start hunting or laying traps! Again, there’s probably some free food in it, not to mention the development of priceless skills.

    Birdwatching

    Birdwatching is a popular pastime for many nature lovers. If you are someone who does not normally pay much attention to the avian wildlife around you, however, it’s time to start. If you’re desperate for food, birds will start to look like tiny flying steaks, so pay attention now to get to know what’s available in your area, and again, learn to hunt or trap for these species. You might not want to actually do it, as local laws might prevent the hunting of certain species, but simply getting familiar with what’s local and the methods commonly used for hunting or trapping them will still be a big help.

     

    Wherever you live, it’s vital to know what’s edible all around you. Take some time to familiarize yourself with these food sources so you won’t have to learn the hard way further down the road!

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  • When the Garden Doesn’t Grow: How to Increase Food Supply

    When the Garden Doesn’t Grow: How to Increase Food Supply

    As a homesteader, you will typically put a lot of faith in your garden when it comes to having enough food to last your family. You will learn how to plant and keep the plants healthy and strong, how and when to harvest, and canning techniques, most likely. When everything is going well with the garden, this can be a great method to take care of the bulk of the food you and your family need. However, it is not always enough. Sometimes, the garden can fail, too, and that means you need to have some other ways of procuring the food that you need.

    One of the most important skills you can have as a homesteader is the ability to forage. You can go out on the land and pick berries, as well as other fruit, which you can eat fresh and can. You should also learn how to look for nuts, as these can be a nice source of protein. Another option is to have an indoor garden, perhaps in a garage or basement, that you can have growing throughout the year, even in the winter.

    If you have livestock on the farm, you need to learn how to kill and process those animals if needed. Butchering an animal can provide your family with much-needed protein. Hunting is also a good option. In fact, most people who are homesteading should make it a point to learn how to hunt. Even just a single deer, elk, wild pig, and other game can help to provide for your family in lean times. Fishing is a great skill to have for this reason, as well.

    You can also get on a roadkill list to be notified when there is an animal killed by a vehicle that needs processing. Bartering items with neighbors can work, as well. Use these methods to help supplement your food stores, so even if your garden fails, you and the family will eat well.

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  • Opening Day-Georgia Spring Turkey Hunting (Video)

    Opening Day-Georgia Spring Turkey Hunting (Video)

    Think all the good hunting is in the fall and winter? No way! Spring is prime turkey season, and they’re a great animal to go for. Big and juicy, as well as fun to hunt, you’re sure to get hooked in no time.

    In this video, YouTube “Turkeyologists” walk you through their opening day of turkey season in Georgia, with some excellent, high-def footage of the hunt. I thoroughly enjoyed this video and can’t wait to give turkey hunting a try this season. Enjoy!

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  • Why Should Homesteaders Hunt?

    Why Should Homesteaders Hunt?

    If you love the idea of homesteading, and you want to do the same types of things that your forefathers and foremothers did, you will want to add hunting to your list of activities for the homestead. Of course, it is about far more than tradition. You will find many benefits for the homesteader who hunts.

    When Times Are Lean

    One of the biggest benefits to those who hunt is that they have the capacity to put extra meat on the table. Even if you raise chickens and other livestock to use as meat, having extra in the freezer is always a good feeling. If you have a garden that is not performing as well as you had hoped, you will appreciate the extra food. Your bank account will appreciate it, as well. Consider just how much money you are spending on meat each year. Wouldn’t it be nice to cut down on those expenses?

    Game Management Is Essential

    Another one of the reasons that homesteaders should hunt is that it is good for the animal population in the area. While this might seem contrary to some, it makes sense. With the expansion of the human population and the encroachment on animal territory, it means their food supply is not what it used to be. By having controlled and legal hunts, it helps to reduce the population, which reduces the instances of starvation and disease among those animals that remain.

    Good Exercise

    If you have always wanted to get more exercise, few things are better than hunting. You will be out traipsing through the woods for much of the day, and that is going to burn off quite a few calories. Hunting, if you do not spend your entire day up in a tree stand, is a nice form of exercise that gets you out into the wild breathing fresh air. You will love the way you feel even if you do not bag a deer. Of course, it is even better when you do make a kill.

    You Can Pass the Skill on to Your Children

    Learning to track and follow animal signs helps people to get closer with nature. Teaching your children to hunt provides them with a skill, and lessons, that will last them a lifetime. They will learn where their food comes from and what it takes to get it, and that will make them more appreciative. In addition, it is good for kids to get outside and away from all those electronic screens for a while. In addition to hunting, you should also teach them to fish. Make sure they are not only a part of the process of hunting and fishing, but also teach them how to clean and prepare the animals and fish for cooking.

    Hunting is one of the skills every homesteader should have. It is not only necessary to make sure you have a full freezer of meat, but it can also be an enjoyable experience out in nature. If you don’t already hunt, make sure you consider these benefits.

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  • Hunt for Your Meat

    Hunt for Your Meat

    If you are a homesteader, you have probably spent quite a bit of time trying to determine just how much food you can grow on your property. While growing your veggies and fruit, and canning them, is great, most people will also want to have meat on the table. You may have some livestock that you can use, such as chickens. However, the best way to get more meat is to start hunting.

    Take the time to see what animals are in your area and the times of the hunting seasons. Common animals to hunt include deer, boar, ducks, quail, squirrel and turkeys. Find out how many of each animal you can bag and then start learning how to hunt. Remember, just because you go hunting does not mean you are going to be successful. As with any activity in the outdoors, it requires a combination of skill and a little luck. Keep learning more about hunting, practice shooting, and you will get better at it.

    Of course, you need to know the rules and regulations for hunting in your area and even on your own land to make sure you do not do anything that would get you into trouble. Even on your own land, you need to obey the hunting laws. If you don’t, and if the authorities find out, you could face fines and time in jail. That’s the last thing you need. It is just easier to follow the laws.

    We know that hunting is not for everyone. Many people do not like to think about the act of killing their own food, but they should realize that the meat they buy in the grocery store used to be alive and well, too. Hunting, when done properly, is more humane and provides a quicker, less terrifying death for the animals. This is something to keep in mind if you are on the fence.

     

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