Hunters hunt for their “groceries.” It would be cheaper to buy our meals, but many hunters take great pride in filling their family’s bellies with healthy and nutritious meals they harvested.

One of my favorite big game recipes is called Deer Chesapeake. This delicious meal has its roots in an Eastern Shore of Maryland hunting camp. Prior to the opening day of deer season, a group of veteran hunters gathered at their rustic hunting camp. The evening meal was prepared from last year’s remaining deer from their freezers. The same “Old Cook” would make the meal from memory. Each year, my friend Keith, would assist the cook and try to get the recipe recorded correctly. It took several seasons to get it just right. When “Cookie” tasted the recipe and thought it was perfect, Keith knew he could pass along this tasty tradition.

For a lot of hunters, it is about food. “You can’t eat antlers!” Wild game has no chemical additives that are common in processed or farm raised meats. As hunters, we provide meals for our families. Humans are “Hunters and Gatherers.” We survive upon what we hunt, grow, or purchase. Our canine teeth are evidence of our omnivore nature. Somehow our own harvest always tastes better.

At Keith’s western Maryland deer camp, we still enjoy Deer Chesapeake on the evening before the opening day of rifle season. Any Big Game works well with this recipe. Please feel free to share this recipe with your family and friends.