26 November 2018 Farm Collector

I

n the very earliest days in

colonial America, big game

hunting was a way of life for

settlers. In fact, for most of our

history, in addition to farm-raised

animals, wild game was a significant

source of meat for those living in

rural America.

HUNTERS HOLD ON TO RELICS

FROM HUNTING TRIPS AND TREKS

THROUGH THE WOODS

As late as the early 20th century, laying in the

meat of a deer or elk was considered essential for

winter survival for those in rural or remote areas.

In our part of western America, it was even the

goal of those in isolated areas to harvest a bear

once a year. Not only was bear meat considered

a treat, the fat from the carcass was needed for

cooking.

Of course, in modern times hunting has be-

come something quite different from providing

subsistence. Still, almost everyone I know who

hunts big game does it as much for the meat

as for the sport. There is no greater contempt

among them than what they feel for the individ-

ual who kills an animal and abandons or wastes

the meat. It is an unwritten code that you eat

what you shoot.

You Can’t

Eat Antlers

1

2

By Clell G. Ballard