August 30, 2018 • 2 min read
Among the complaints from those who don't like to eat waterfowl and other wild game is that the meat isn't tender. The toughness is usually a result of overcooking, but there are winged and four-legged critters that can be a bit chewy even when cooked properly. When grilled, a breast fillet from a mature giant Canada goose is never going to taste like one from a young specklebelly. Fortunately, there are remedies that can transform even the toughest meats into a moist, tender, and delicious meal.
Perhaps you have heard about one of the latest fads for foodiessous vide (pronounced "soo-veed"). It's a cooking method that involves encasing seasoned meat in a vacuum-sealed or food-safe plastic bag and submerging it in a circulating hot water bath. Meats poach in their own juices, and even the largest goose breast fillets will be fork tender after several hours in 130-degree water. However, sous vide cooking won't brown the meat, so it's best to sear it in a hot skillet or on a grill before serving. You can buy a basic home sous vide unit for a little over $100.
The more traditional go-to method for tenderizing tougher cuts of wild game is to first brown and then stew the meat in a flavorful broth with vegetables. Once cut into cubes, even old honkers will break apart after simmering for several hours. Many home chefs rely on slow cookers to make a hearty stew while they are busy doing other things. Nothing beats the inviting aroma of a warm meal after a long day at the office or in the field, and the pot did most of the work.
Any-Game Stew
Use this recipe as a general guide to make a hearty stew with waterfowl or other lean wild game. What goes into your creation is up to you, but it never hurts to start with rendered bacon fat. Makes: 8 to 10 servings
Ingredients
- 4 cups cubed duck or goose fillets
- Salt and pepper
- 1 1/2 cups diced thick-cut bacon, pork belly, or fatback
- 2 cups roughly chopped onion
- 2 cups roughly chopped celery
- 2 cups diced carrots
- 2 tablespoons minced fresh garlic
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 1/2 to 2 quarts beef or game broth
- 1 15-ounce can diced tomatoes
- 2 cups halved fresh mushrooms
- 2 cups potato, cut into 2-inch pieces
- Parsley for garnish
Directions
[Step 1] Season the meat with salt and pepper. In a large pot, slow cooker, or Dutch oven, cook the bacon over medium-low heat until it is evenly browned. Increase heat to medium high and cook cubed waterfowl fillets in batches until thoroughly browned.
[Step 2] Add onion, celery, carrots, garlic, Worcestershire, and enough broth to cover the contents of the pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium low, cover, and simmer for 2 1/2 to 3 hours or until meat is tender. Add remaining ingredients except parsley, cover, and simmer until potatoes are cooked (about 30 minutes). Season to taste with salt and pepper and top with parsley.
Tools of the Trade
Hand tenderizers that cut across the connective tissues of sinewy meats are an essential part of my game-cooking arsenal. I prefer the spring-loaded models that have a few rows of sharp, flat blades over those with needlelike pokers. In a pinch, give the meat several stabs with a fork or cut it into chunks and pound with a mallet or heavy skillet.
FAQs
Ducks Unlimited conserves, restores, and manages wetlands and associated habitats for North America's waterfowl. These habitats also benefit other wildlife and people. Waterfowl conservation is facing important challenges as wetlands and other habitats are being degraded and destroyed across the continent.
Why should I join Ducks Unlimited? ›
Your support helps preserve our waterfowl hunting heritage. Every 6 minutes, another acre of North American wetlands disappears, threatening waterfowl and wildlife habitat and the overall health of our environment. DU commits at least 80% of its revenue to furthering our conservation mission.
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Since 1937, DU has raised more than $3.5 billion, which has contributed to the conservation of nearly 13 million acres of wetlands and other prime wildlife habitat in all 50 states, each of the Canadian provinces, and key areas of Mexico.
Who founded Ducks Unlimited? ›
The nation was in the grips of the Dust Bowl and Great Depression, the ink was barely dry on legislation to raise money by selling duck stamps, and waterfowl populations across North America were in free fall. The story goes that these founding members of ours, who included Joseph P. Knapp, Arthur M. Bartley, Ray E.
What percentage of donations go to Ducks Unlimited? ›
We strive to use at least 80 percent of every dollar funding our mission. Fortunately and through diligence over the last several years, DU has been able to put 86-88 cents of every dollar into our conservation mission.
Will Ducks Unlimited build me a pond? ›
Ducks Unlimited doesn't usually handle construction of smaller ponds on private property, but staff can connect you to programs that could help pay for your project. Indeed, a number of nonprofit, state and federal programs exist to help fund wetland restoration and protection on private property.
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Unrestricted Income, Unlimited Possibilities
Much of the funding DU uses to pay for staff, equipment, policy efforts, and other conservation work can be traced back to the support of the organization's 650,000 members and their passion for waterfowl and waterfowl hunting.
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Greenwings are youth members of Ducks Unlimited. There is no age minimum, but the $15 annual Greenwing membership only goes through age 17, with the adult membership level ($35 annually) beginning at age 18. Greenwing membership benefits include the following: A DU membership card.
Is Ducks Unlimited anti hunting? ›
DU is first and foremost an organization dedicated to conserving wetlands for waterfowl, and the majority of our members are hunters. DU strongly supports the right to bear arms and believes that with that right comes a responsibility to use firearms lawfully and safely.
How much money does Ducks Unlimited make? ›
What are Top 10 Highest Paying Cities for Ducks Unlimited Jobs
| City | Annual Salary | Weekly Pay |
|---|
| Santa Rosa, CA | $64,590 | $1,242 |
| Costa Mesa, CA | $63,380 | $1,218 |
| Long Beach, CA | $62,963 | $1,210 |
| Roseville, CA | $62,410 | $1,200 |
6 more rowsDucks Unlimited is North America's third largest land trust with more than 439,000 acres under permanent protection and is accredited by the Land Trust Alliance's Accreditation Commission to uphold standards and practices to ensure the permanence of our conservation work.
What species does Ducks Unlimited focus on? ›
The Leader in Wetlands Conservation
Ducks Unlimited restores, protects and manages wetlands and associated habitats for North America's waterfowl.
Who is the new CEO of Ducks Unlimited? ›
Adam Putnam - Chief Executive Officer - Ducks Unlimited | LinkedIn.
What does Ducks Unlimited stand for? ›
Ducks Unlimited conserves, restores, and manages wetlands and associated habitats for North America's waterfowl. These habitats also benefit other wildlife and people. Waterfowl conservation is facing important challenges as wetlands and other habitats are being degraded and destroyed across the continent.
Who are the famous Ducks Unlimited artists? ›
Contributing artists include Jim Killen, Art LaMay, David Maass, Harold Roe, Phillip Crowe, Terry Redlin, and Ralph McDonald.
What does Ducks Unlimited raise money for? ›
At its core, the mission of Ducks Unlimited is quite simple: habitat conservation. It is a mission that requires a collective effort to restore, enhance, and protect those places used by waterfowl across North America's four major waterfowl flyways.
What type of business is Ducks Unlimited? ›
Thanks to nearly 85 years of focus on these simple principles, Ducks Unlimited has become the world's largest and most effective private, nonprofit wetlands and waterfowl conservation organization.
What is the strategic plan of Ducks Unlimited? ›
One of DU's strategic goals is to grow the scale, accelerate the pace, and strengthen the impact of wetlands and waterfowl habitat delivery. Donor support will fund programs to encourage volunteerism and fund mission-focused projects and initiatives where the need is greatest.
