The Huntavore

On this episode of Huntavore, we join Nick after a series of events, both awesome and not so awesome.  First, he was humbled by an article entitled Roast What You Kill, and is reflecting on his thoughts.  Second, in preparation for a bachelor party, Nick prepared Carnitas, and Venison Barbacoa to be slung out as blackstone tacos on a tailgate.  Finally, Nick was again humbled by a wall of water an...

On this Episode of Huntavore, Nick is joined again by David Rabe, a California native who takes everything to the next level.  His recreation is extreme, his hunts are for the biggest and the best, and his harvested wild game gets prepared with only herbs and spices that elevate his kill, not clog it with a bunch of additives.  Come along as Nick and Dave catch up on what has happened in the past...

On this episode of Huntavore, Nick is joined by a couple of BBQ pitmasters, Cowboy Kev and Mikey K.  Both of these guys live for the live fire pit and the low and slow lifestyle.  You can find these guys at the pit or on their own podcast, BBQ Chat.  Nick tries to take advantage of their expertise by having them give him some pointers when cooking large cuts of pork.  If you plan on putting someth...

On this episode of Huntavore, Nick has had some time to ponder about his hog hunting trip, and gotten some pork cooked, so it is time to wrap up the saga on Oklahoma Wild Pigs.  Laying out a bit of the process he went through, Nick covers most of the after the shot details.  Gutting, hanging, the high drama hair torching, and chilling a couple hundred pounds of pork carcass.  Along with his own ob...

On this episode of Huntavore, Nick sought out the expertise of Brandon Sheard; custom slaughter man and butcher, and creator of Farmstead Meatsmith.  For his trip to Oklahoma, Nick was preparing for the hopeful achievement of being able to harvest wild pork.  Brandon brings a knowledge base of being a mobile slaughterman and custom butcher for domestic pigs and heritage breeds.  He walks Nick thro...

On this episode of Huntavore, Nick’s sights turn southward as he is joined by John Hudspeth, Host of the Oklahoma Outdoors Podcast.  John may be the pickiest eater on the show, yet resides in a true sportsmen’s cornucopia of species to chase.  One in particular is the feral hog, an animal that brought a lot of attention to itself in the past several years.  John paints a picture of what Nick is to...

On this episode of Huntavore, the Emperor’s Table continues to fill up as the Missouri Woods & Water hosts, Nathan, Micha, and Andy join Nick for a fantastic chat.  We talk about celebration meals, including Nathan enjoying venison steak with his boy.  Things go sideways as Nick loses power, but the gang finishes with their submission to the Emperor's Table.  Join us for a great episode of Huntavo...

On this episode of Huntavore, Nick is joined by host of the Pennsylvania Woodsmen Podcast, Mitchell Shirk.  Together the guys unpack the unique hunting traditions of Pennsylvania, and how they also relate to many of the Northern states' big woods traditions.  Mitchell also tells about bears and bear hunting, a practice that gets him very excited.  And to finish off the discussion, Mitchell lays ou...

On this episode of Huntavore, Nick calls up Andrew Muntz and Paul Campbell of the Ohio Outdoors Podcast.  This duo is a great pairing, Andrew, being a whitetail guy and Paul, a Turkey fanatic.  Nick does a fly by on how their 2023 seasons went and their follow up celebration meal, that may surprise you.  In addition Nick gets into the details of what each of the guys would bring to the Emperor’s T...

On this episode of Huntavore, Nick launches a new ongoing series, the Emperor’s Table.  A pseudo-ideal event where creators of the Sportsmen’s Empire are invited to share their go-to sharable wild game meals.  First entry on the menu is given to us by Marcus Ewing, host of the Average Conservationist and Michigan Wild podcasts.  Conversation revolves around “average” moments in the field, taking a...

On this episode of Huntavore, Nick is joined by Jonah Curtis, an impressive gardener and small game aficionado.  They unpack a whole range of topics on a number of rabbit trails that eventually lead into squirrels, rabbits.  Discussions revolve around a mild taste and flavor,  How a few bag limits add up fast, simple easy preparations are sometimes the best, and Nick has the opportunity to try som...

On this episode of Huntavore we sink our teeth into next level meat crafting.  Nick digitally sits down with Thea Lopatka, owner of Umai Dry.  Together they discuss old world meat crafting from the home kitchen.  Creating salamis, dry sausage, and dry aged large cuts of meats in a safe, easy to produce method of sealing ground meat or whole muscle into a synthetic bag or casing that allows air and...

On this Episode of Huntavore it's just you and Nick kicking off 2023.  He goes into detail about a specific hind quarter cut, the eye round.  What are its characteristics, how tender is it, how it reacts to cooking, and chats about 2 successful dishes with this cut. Hope you're in the mood for asian.  Secondly, he touches on how small game is going to be a priority here while there is not ice yet,...

On this episode of Huntavore, the chat goes beyond the meat and dives into the extras: organs, bones, hides, venison tallow even.  Nick is joined by Canadian guide, wild edibles connoisseur, and all around culinary adventurer, Stevie_funfur.  Together they pick over the pieces that are usually an afterthought when processing venison.  Which organs are they keeping and how does Steve prepare his fo...

On this episode of Huntavore, Nick has a bucket list chat with food writer and Food Network personality, Simon Majumdar.  Simon lays out some knowledge and history of venison, including how venison has been viewed in the UK and how it differs here in the US.  Discussions on Tikka Masala, using yogurt as a marinade, and a food game called Good, Better, Best featuring a winter favorite, Pot Roast. ...

In this episode of Huntavore, the holidays are fast approaching.  Thanksgiving is here at the end of the week, and that ushers in the arrival of gatherings, parties, and opportunities to share our hard earned harvest.  Chef Rob Chiappone joins us again to talk tips and tricks to making food during these festivals.  We talk turkey for thanksgiving, roasting whole, and also breaking the bird down an...

On this episode of Huntavore, we join Nick in a not so good situation, a hospital bed needing assistance with a kidney stone.  Spoiler, procedure went well, recovery is going smoothly. With all the questions Nick had gotten about field care and aging deer, he thought it would be a great topic to talk about.  How to get quality venison by taking some steps to let the deer hang, differences in initi...

On this episode of Huntavore, Nick is joined by Forager, chef, and writer, Alan Bergo.  Alan has honed his craft of foraging plants, mushrooms, roots, and even everyday garden vegetable plants to bring added flavors, textures, and excitement that only wild edibles can.  Alan was recently on the show, Chef vs Wild, where culinary experts make beautiful dishes out of the forage they find.  Together,...

On this Episode of Huntavore, be ready to get hyped by one very passionate and energetic chef. Rob is a private chef, who also loves to hunt and fish, preparing and sharing the wild harvest. The guys get deep on some topics; why taking kids hunting is important, but teaching and training them along the way is vital. Being a blessing with wildgame, finding balance in life, and of course some kitche...

On this episode of Huntavore, Nick recalls his adventure for archery elk with his hunting buddy, Brock Dean. Together they tell their reactions to a week of super highs and deep woes; close enounters, and hellacious climbs, and what helped them to have really good success as greenhorn western elk hunters. Not a lot of animals died, but a couple get real close, on this episode of Huntavore. Nick is...

On this episode of Huntavore, Nick digitally sits down with Rick Casey, CEO of CHARD Products. Rick has a passion for wildgame, growing up in the U.P. of Michigan, Rick has fond memories of bringing in deer to the family garage and working together to create the amazing dishes of his yesteryears, like his grandma’s potato sausage. Rick also goes into how hunting and venison has impacted the design...

On this episode of Huntavore, pressure builds as season openers draw near, and Nick is presented with an opportunity to hunt elk in Montana.  The combination of exciting new experiences along with adventure in a brand new environment builds a pressure of anxiousness, nervousness and excitement.  Speaking of pressure, One of Nick’s tasks this week is to turn heavily worked venison cuts into easy ba...

On this episode of Huntavore, Nick is joined by Greg Tubbs, co-host of Okayest Hunter and an avid venison consumer.  Together, they tackle a question Nick has been asked a lot lately; What do I do with these roasts, besides roast it? If this is you, prepare to put those large cuts to work for you, as we explore cooking methods that take you from low and slow to hot and fast, as the guys try to lay...

On this episode of Huntavore, joining Nick on this in depth discussion is returning guest, Nathan Judice, the RecreationChef. Together they unpack the rib quarter of deer; the location, characteristics, and sound cooking treatments of these muscle groups.  Along the way, the guys add tips and tricks to get the most out of this very finicky quarter.  If you’ve been wanting to better utilize your de...

On this episode of Huntavore, Nick is joined by Colorado resident, Rikki Folger. Rikki is an accomplished chef who desires to bring wild game and foraged food to the forefront. Armed with a culinary background, she launched the handle @wild_and_foraged, sharing recipes and her adventures. They talk about a shared pastime of disc golf, attempting bottom round burnt ends, and making a seasonal berry...