A rugged trip to the supermarket

People take up hunting for a variety of reasons. It may be to experience the outdoors on a very personal level, to pursue a trophy class animal, to feel the enhanced physical well-being of spending active hours in the field or they may even view it as a rather rugged trip to the supermarket. There's no doubt that people are far more educated today about the foods that they choose. Some of their concerns include GMO products, steroids, antibiotics, growth hormones and other drugs used in commercially raising animals. Some are certainly worry-worthy while others are less so. Regardless, being educated about your food options is always a healthy outlook. This has driven many to explore the expanding farm markets which offer locally grown produce, especially for those who don't have space or time to garden. This can help support the community, enrich personal lifestyles while diverting some cash to the pockets of folks that are willing to do the extra work to bring you these products. How does hunting fit into this enhancing health model? Can you think of a more locally grown, free range and naturally raised and fed product than wild game? While we group our meat products in the traditional beef-pork-poultry-fish categories; a hunting and angling life can add a new and healthy dimension to the family menu. But is wild game really healthier? While I'll not disparage farm products, I can offer you some facts about wild game dinners and you can make the decision. Factory farms are certainly necessary to help feed an evolving world. Their carbon footprint is large and the challenges faced include disposal of waste, maintaining humane living conditions, groundwater infiltration, and proliferation of antibiotic immune bacteria among others. It's an ever-evolving science; one that the agriculture community continually strives to improve. While I'm not one that will give up a nice ribeye, pulled pork or BBQ chicken dinner, I'm also willing to take advantage of the opportunities that have supplied humankind with food for thousands of years. The USDA tells us that wild meats are higher in protein, iron, and B vitamins than beef and pork. That lean protein is a result of the increased activity of dodging dangers, searching for food and their ability to roam freely throughout their domain. They aren't limited to grain and corn-based diets, antibiotics, growth hormones or steroid injections and other requirements that are sometimes necessary in animal agriculture. A study by Purdue University discovered that the meat from deer, elk and antelope contain a higher content of omega-3 fatty acids and a lower ratio of omega-6 compared to the grass-fed beef equivalent; a proportion that's a healthier combination for human consumption. Omega-3 and omega-6 are essentials for balanced nutrition but avoiding too much is also important. The research found that the combination found in wild game achieve that balance and can work to lower cholesterol, lessening the risk of chronic diseases. Zinc and iron are also naturally high in wild game; minerals important to tissue oxygenation and support of the immune system. You can also get a healthy dose of CLA from wild meats (conjugated linoleic acid). Research indicates that CLA may have anti-cancer properties and it's also used as a weight-loss supplement. Foodborne illness is less likely in wild game due to the careful individual handling during the butchering process and the clean, free-roaming, relatively stress-free aspect of the animal's life. Finally, there's that moral argument. There're certainly those that believe hunting is just killing. While killing is part of hunting, a non-hunting meat or fish eater is not less responsible for the act. In fact, I believe that the use of any animal byproduct precludes such disagreements. To that end, there's evidence that vegetarianism results in a far larger carbon footprint than hunting. As an old English proverb warns, "A clean glove often hides a dirty hand." As far as affordability goes, that's up to the value you put on your food and the time you spend collecting it. Hunting is indeed more involved than running into the local market. It requires a hunting license, purchase of equipment – most of which can last through years of use – and a bit of a learning curve. Since we've touched on the subject of equipment, be warned. Hunters and anglers are gatherers of more than the next meal – they're especially proficient at gathering paraphernalia faster than a swallow swallows mosquitos. Guns, rods, reels, camo patterns, differently fired grills and griddles, knives for every pocket, memberships to conservation clubs… the list may go on ad infinitum. Proper maintenance of that equipment's important, but there's one piece that's often allowed to slide a bit and it's the most important of all…your body. Outdoor sports requires a degree of physical readiness. It's important that pre-season conditioning be done in preparation for the task. According to my own doc, the safest and simplest workout is walking. It assists in developing and maintaining leg muscles, cardiovascular system and endurance. Starting out slowly and working your way up in both time and distance is the most beneficial. When possible, try traversing terrain that's similar to the area you'll be trekking on your trips. In the end, hunting and fishing is a lifestyle choice and one that I would encourage you to consider. It can result in new friends, an increased awareness of our environment, a greater respect for wildlife, an understanding of habitat conservation, a healthier emotional outlook, the discovery of an entirely new cooking experience, a branching of new hobbies and even a development of family traditions. The money you spend on hunting and fishing licenses and permits are funneled to agencies that are devoted to the wildlife you not only hunt but to all the creatures you encounter along the way and to the incredibly important habitat in which they live. From the bouncing downy woodpecker flying from tree to tree, the broad-winged hawk soaring overhead, the miniscule flying squirrel peaking from its hide to the once endangered American bald eagle…you become one of their benefactors. Or you could just stop by the grocery for some chicken breasts from…wherever they came from. "When some remote ancestor of ours invented the shovel, he became a giver: He could plant a tree. And when the axe was invented, he became a taker: He could chop it down. Whoever owns land has thus assumed, whether he knows it or not, the divine functions of creating and destroying…" – Aldo Leopold Along the Way It's that time of year when Christmas trees and their decorations are coming down with ornaments being carefully stored for another year. If you're one of the many that prefer to forego factory fabricated facsimiles to celebrate with traditional pines and spruces, you're probably left wondering what's next. While some complain about the real tree's requirements of a good vacuum and a broom at clean-up time, there's something both exhilarating and inspiring in choosing and decorating that naturally scented holiday tradition. Every kid who's had that chance to help choose and drag out their home's Christmas tree will hold that memory for life – but as much as they may beg, it can't stay in the house forever. Before you discard your tree, remember that it can find life after the holidays for Ohio's birds, fish, and mammals. A live-cut Christmas tree can be recycled as the centerpiece of a wildlife-friendly brush pile. Place the tree in a desirable location and layer limbs around it in a square arrangement. Cover the top with additional brush to create a valuable shelter for small animals. Songbirds including cardinals, chickadees, titmice, nuthatches, and wrens travel in and out of brush piles for food, nesting, and to escape predators. Small mammals such as rabbits and chipmunks also use brush piles for shelter and raising young. Brush piles are valuable shelter for overwintering insects like bees, moths, and butterflies, as well. Before repurposing or disposing of a live-cut Christmas tree, remove all trimmings including tinsel, garland, lights, and ornaments as these can be harmful to the environment and wildlife. Obtain proper permission before discarding your tree on public or private property. "Muddy boots, cold air, clear thoughts, that's therapy to me." Anonymous, but could have been me… Step Outside • Tomorrow: Last Day to Apply to Become an Ohio Wildlife Officer. Applications are being accepted until Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, for the next Ohio Wildlife Officer training school. The Division of Wildlife is seeking to fill up to 12 wildlife officer positions throughout Ohio and training for new wildlife officer cadets begins in August 2026. To apply, complete an application at careers.ohio.gov. • Jan. 21: Cooking with Venison: Making Jerky. This free class will cover the basics of creating venison jerky safely. All equipment will be provided. Participants are asked to not bring outside equipment or venison. There will be samples! 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm, Wildlife District Two Headquarters, 952 Lima Avenue, Findlay, Ohio. Registration/Information: Jaron Beck, 419-348-0851. • Jan. 21: Scoring Antlered Deer. This free class will cover where and how to take all the measurements. Feel free to bring any skull or mount to follow along. This is an informative class and no deer will be officially scored. District 1 Headquarters, 1500 Dublin Road, Columbus, 43215. 5 pm – 7 pm. Questions/Registration, contact Riley Yunker: riley.yunker@dnr.ohio.gov or 614-453-6271. • Jan. 28: Cooking with Venison: Making Summer Sausage. All equipment will be provided including venison, spices, and smokers. Participants are asked to not bring outside equipment or venison. There will be samples! Class is free. 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm, Wildlife District Two Headquarters, 952 Lima Avenue, Findlay, Ohio. Registration/Information: Jaron Beck, 419-348-0851. Abrams is a retired wildlife officer supervisor for the state Division of Wildlife in Findlay. He can be reached at P.O. Box 413, Mount Blanchard, OH 45867-0413 or via e-mail at jimsfieldnotes@aol.com.