Locavore Blog: Summer Days Tick Tock Toward Deer Season

Summer in Vermont means that nature is no longer on the cusp, but instead, in full force. Wind rustles the full green leaves of maple and beech trees; rose petals finally uncurl after the harsh winter; apples are appearing on our trees.

Apples will be ready in the fall!
Apples will be ready in the fall!

It means that the goose family finally has goslings that are rapidly moving towards adolescence and the chickens are days away from laying their first eggs. Kale, lettuce, and early snow peas from our first garden allow us to taste that summer sun even after the storm clouds blow in for a late afternoon thunderstorm.

I love seeing vegetables grow!
I love seeing vegetables grow!

Hot summer days also mean that deer season and the crisp taste of autumn will be here before we know it! And once these summer days start dwindling, I will be climbing my tree stand and doing what thousands have done before me: try to get my first deer.

If you’ve been reading for the past few weeks, I’ve accomplished quite a bit:

Lunch break! Archery practice on a sunny afternoon.
Lunch break! Archery practice on a sunny afternoon.

Along the way, I’ve met some truly wonderful hunters, archers, and people generally intrigued with what I’ve decided to do: move from the city to the country and completely reprogram my existence to one that’s focused on family, nature, and passion. I’m learning something new each day and stalking my garden for new vegetables every morning. The anticipation of my first deer season is truly exhilarating as the weeks tick by and it gets closer and closer.

One idea I am definitely interested in pursuing is (should I get a deer) butchering it myself. Several hunters in the area do this and I’m told the meat is better because of the slow and controlled way you do it rather than the super busy deer processor. I have a book, The Gourmet Butcher’s Guide to Meat by Cole Ward, that I’ve been reading that discusses butchering in general that I have to say, really makes the whole process very intriguing.

What do you think?

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1 thought on “Locavore Blog: Summer Days Tick Tock Toward Deer Season

  1. i love to do my own and once you learn all the muscle groups it goes pretty fast but, man its way easier to just drop it off and pick it up clean n pre packaged

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