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Meat - It's what's getting scarce
Posted: Wed May 06, 2020 9:48 pm
by GunnyGene
At least that's what I read on the news. Article on NYPost a couple days ago about it, and how many more people are planning to hunt the fields and forests instead of, or in addition to, the supermarket.
I thought about posting this in the hunting forum, but decided it would be better in the Lounge, as a caution to y'all that are regular hunters. So to the point:
I'm not so sure that millions more new hunters all of sudden is a good thing. Wild game isn't unlimited, for starters. Then there's the first timers who tend to shoot at anything that moves resulting in a higher likelihood of wounded critters and other people. That plus the public land will be more crowded. And I'd bet there will be a lot more uninvited poachers hitting public and private land, with or without a license. I have some serious concerns about that last possibility, for the first time in my life. What lives on my land is mine and I will defend it to the best of my ability. All of my rural neighbors feel the same way.
The article:
Excerpt:
https://nypost.com/2020/05/03/americans ... shortages/
More Americans are turning to hunting during the coronavirus pandemic — and amid fears of nationwide food shortages after meat plants were forced to halt operations over outbreaks.
“People are starting to consider self-reliance and where their food comes from,” Hank Forester of Quality Deer Management Association said, adding that he believes there will be a hunting resurgence over empty grocery store shelves.
Outbreaks have recently caused at least three major meat producers — Tyson Foods, JBS USA and Smithfield Foods — to shutter more than a dozen plants across the nation.
Meanwhile, some states have seen a jump in hunting licenses — including Indiana, where there was a 28% increase in turkey hunting license sales during the first week of the season.
Game and fish agencies from Minnesota to New Mexico have seen an increase in either hunting license sales or permit applications.
Nina Stafford, a building contractor from Fayetteville, Georgia, killed her first deer in January, but has come to see hunting as a viable alternative if stores are hit with shortages over the closures.
Re: Meat - It's what's getting scarce
Posted: Wed May 06, 2020 10:08 pm
by markiver54
We, who know how to hunt, need only be worried about those who do not have a clue how to hunt, or field dress an animal. They are dangerous!!
I would worry most about poachers, and how to deal with them.
Re: Meat - It's what's getting scarce
Posted: Wed May 06, 2020 10:37 pm
by ChefDuane
I am no hunter and have never field dressed an animal, but I am not dangerous. What I, as a non-hunter, would do is seek out the counsel and expertise of an individual such as yourself and offer my services (whatever they may be) to assist you in the hunt. I would only ask that you teach me to hunt and then we both could reap the benefits of the additional sustenance.
I would agree that poachers are the one's we should worry about most.
Re: Meat - It's what's getting scarce
Posted: Wed May 06, 2020 10:47 pm
by markiver54
ChefDuane wrote: ↑Wed May 06, 2020 10:37 pm
I am no hunter and have never field dressed an animal, but I am not dangerous. What I, as a non-hunter, would do is seek out the counsel and expertise of an individual such as yourself and offer my services (whatever they may be) to assist you in the hunt. I would only ask that you teach me to hunt and then we both could reap the benefits of the additional sustenance.
I would agree that poachers are the one's we should worry about most.
So sorry chef, my intent was not intended to insult any experienced shooters. Guess I was just referring to the panic gun buyers who may be dangerous because of lack of experience.
Would love for you to prepare the harvest.
No offense intended at all!
Re: Meat - It's what's getting scarce
Posted: Wed May 06, 2020 10:52 pm
by Vaquero
Public shooting ranges may be come more dangerous also.
Glad I hunt and shoot on private land.
RP
Re: Meat - It's what's getting scarce
Posted: Wed May 06, 2020 11:19 pm
by RanchRoper
Be vehwee quiet...I'm hunting wabbits...
Re: Meat - It's what's getting scarce
Posted: Wed May 06, 2020 11:20 pm
by Rifletom
Vaquero wrote: ↑Wed May 06, 2020 10:52 pm
Public shooting ranges may be come more dangerous also.
Glad I hunt and shoot on private land.
RP
And this is why I shoot in the desert. Could be "interesting" times soon enough. Time will tell regarding food sources.
Poachers do not get a pass. If things get that out of hand, and sane folks have to feed a family, we'll see. Everyday poachers:
I can live without. Hope this isn't too harsh.
Re: Meat - It's what's getting scarce
Posted: Thu May 07, 2020 7:24 am
by GunnyGene
Rifletom wrote: ↑Wed May 06, 2020 11:20 pm
Vaquero wrote: ↑Wed May 06, 2020 10:52 pm
Public shooting ranges may be come more dangerous also.
Glad I hunt and shoot on private land.
RP
And this is why I shoot in the desert. Could be "interesting" times soon enough. Time will tell regarding food sources.
Poachers do not get a pass. If things get that out of hand, and sane folks have to feed a family, we'll see. Everyday poachers:
I can live without. Hope this isn't too harsh.
At present, hunting is primarily a sport. If it becomes a necessity then everything changes. To the uninformed (or misinformed) city consumer it doesn't make any difference if the meat (or any other item) isn't immediately available due to low production, processing, or transportation to them. All they know is that it ain't on the shelf, and they don't care why it ain't. They want what they want, and they want it now. Think of it like a Walmart Black Friday sale, but out in the fields and forests with guns.
Re: Meat - It's what's getting scarce
Posted: Thu May 07, 2020 7:34 am
by GunnyGene
ChefDuane wrote: ↑Wed May 06, 2020 10:37 pm
I am no hunter and have never field dressed an animal, but I am not dangerous. What I, as a non-hunter, would do is seek out the counsel and expertise of an individual such as yourself and offer my services (whatever they may be) to assist you in the hunt. I would only ask that you teach me to hunt and then we both could reap the benefits of the additional sustenance.
I would agree that poachers are the one's we should worry about most.
At the moment, new hunters are doing exactly what they should do, as you suggest. Getting educated, licensed, teaming with old timers, etc. And every hunter I know is happy to help them along. But, if hunting becomes a necessity instead of a sport (which it mostly is now), all that would change overnight.
Re: Meat - It's what's getting scarce
Posted: Thu May 07, 2020 9:47 am
by cooperhawk
The only meat shortage is in the supermarkets. Farmers are literally killing off hogs and cattle so they don't have to continue to feed them. The problem is the slaughter houses are either shut down or at reduced capacity. Trump has declared them a national necessity and they are slowly getting back to work. Once the supply chain is back there will be plenty of meat again.
I live deep in the woods but the deer that roam around our home, and eat my Wife's Hostas, don't belong to me. On the other hand if I see a poacher I will call the authorities.
Re: Meat - It's what's getting scarce
Posted: Thu May 07, 2020 9:56 am
by cooperhawk
Here's another thought. If you hunt deer, you know how to field dress an animal, and probably how to butcher one as well. I live in the country and we buy our beef a quarter at a time from a farmer friend who then has the critter butchered. If I had to I could slaughter and cut up a pig myself. I currently don't have any freezer space so I'm not interested in doing this myself, but I'm sure many of you could. Find a farmer who is desperate to sell some hogs and buy one.
It is illegal for the farmer to butcher the hog and then sell it to you, (unless he has a shop and the meat is inspected by the USDA), but you can do it yourself. Perhaps the farmer would let you kill and field dress it on his property.
Growing up in rural Minnesota it was quite normal for families to do this in the farm yard. My Mother and her sisters would render the lard and make sure none of the hog went to waste.
Farmers around here are advertising to sell hogs to the public.
Re: Meat - It's what's getting scarce
Posted: Thu May 07, 2020 12:06 pm
by Grunt67
Back in the day, when I was growing up, and after, we killed hogs on Thanksgiving day usually, weather permitting, butchered
them ourselves, in the yard, as Coop said. Grind sausage by hand, render out lard. Long cold day usually.
Point is, people used to know how to to things themselves. Most of the younger generation has no clue.
I think most of the meat shortages are due to hording, as in TP. Are people eating 5x more meat now than before March? Nope.
I do see a bit more beef on the shelf at Wally world, than a few weeks ago, but not full.
Saw on the news, that Wendys' restaurant was out of beef in several states, including TN.
Re: Meat - It's what's getting scarce
Posted: Thu May 07, 2020 12:13 pm
by clovishound
Given the experience I've had hunting over the last couple years, I would starve if forced to rely on harvested wild animals. Of course, the outcome would probably be much different if I had the incentive to go about it as "I need to put meat in the freezer, or else." and "I'm just out here enjoying the forest and company of a good friend.".
I've never processed anything bigger than a squirrel in my life. However, I'm sure I could manage if necessary. Right now the plan is to take the hog or deer to a processor and let them deal with the mess.
The other issue right now is that in most states, hunting season is now over.
Re: Meat - It's what's getting scarce
Posted: Thu May 07, 2020 12:18 pm
by RanchRoper
When I was in college I existed on beer, noodles and the odd bowl of Lucky Charms. Still kickin'.
Re: Meat - It's what's getting scarce
Posted: Thu May 07, 2020 1:14 pm
by GunnyGene
clovishound wrote: ↑Thu May 07, 2020 12:13 pm
Given the experience I've had hunting over the last couple years, I would starve if forced to rely on harvested wild animals. Of course, the outcome would probably be much different if I had the incentive to go about it as "I need to put meat in the freezer, or else." and "I'm just out here enjoying the forest and company of a good friend.".
I've never processed anything bigger than a squirrel in my life. However, I'm sure I could manage if necessary. Right now the plan is to take the hog or deer to a processor and let them deal with the mess.
The other issue right now is that in most states, hunting season is now over.
I used to process my own deer, but haven't for the last 15 years or so. Gettin' too old for that. What I'm thinking with the new folks is that you can't eat an entire deer or larger game at one sitting, so you've got to preserve it somehow. Jerky. Freeze it, salt it, etc. Some how I don't see apt. dwellers, or suburb people, who think they can just walk out in the nearest bit of woods and bring home 140lbs of whitetail, doing that. Especially if they have close neighbors who might object to gutting and skinning within smelling distance. And likely the HOA gods would raise hell about a 100lb pile of guts, skull, bones & hide on the front curb for a week awaiting city garbage pickup. As for processors, good luck finding one in a big city. Even if there is one, it would likely cost at least $200.
Re: Meat - It's what's getting scarce
Posted: Thu May 07, 2020 1:52 pm
by clovishound
I live in a suburban area on the outskirts of a medium sized town, Charleston SC. Around here, hunting is common and no one in my neighborhood would raise an eyebrow at me processing a deer or hog in my back yard, unless it became a huge smelly issue. I don't have a freezer apart from the the compartment in my fridge, so long term storage of a large amount of meat would be a problem.
The other side of the coin is that I can live without meat if needed. I could also probably lay in enough fish to supply my needs for a while.
I feel confident that the shortage will be somewhat short lived. Might be harder to get for a couple months, and prices will likely go up, but they will get the processing plants back on line before things become draconian IMO.
Re: Meat - It's what's getting scarce
Posted: Thu May 07, 2020 2:42 pm
by BigAl52
RanchRoper wrote: ↑Thu May 07, 2020 12:18 pm
When I was in college I existed on beer, noodles and the odd bowl of Lucky Charms. Still kickin'.
What no Capt Crunch?
Re: Meat - It's what's getting scarce
Posted: Thu May 07, 2020 3:15 pm
by CT_Shooter
The Official Seal of my small town in CT includes an image of a gray squirrel. During the Great Depression of the 1930s, residents hunted them for food when times were hard.
Town Sponsored Book of Local Recipes, published in 1975 wrote:Squirrel is lean meat (need to add fat or oil ). Brown slowly in a small amount of fat in a fry pan or Dutch oven. Season with salt and pepper. Cover and simmer in low heat from 1 to 1 1/2 hours . Remove the cover the last 15 min. for a crisper crust.
Re: Meat - It's what's getting scarce
Posted: Thu May 07, 2020 4:07 pm
by markiver54
I would actually not mind living off of seafood, at all. Prefer it over meat anyway.
Re: Meat - It's what's getting scarce
Posted: Thu May 07, 2020 4:10 pm
by markiver54
CT_Shooter wrote: ↑Thu May 07, 2020 3:15 pm
The Official Seal of my small town in CT includes an image of a gray squirrel. During the Great Depression of the 1930s, residents hunted them for food when times were hard.
Town Sponsored Book of Local Recipes, published in 1975 wrote:Squirrel is lean meat (need to add fat or oil ). Brown slowly in a small amount of fat in a fry pan or Dutch oven. Season with salt and pepper. Cover and simmer in low heat from 1 to 1 1/2 hours . Remove the cover the last 15 min. for a crisper crust.
Got plenty of them around here.
