Ever eat a jackrabbit? Many years ago, I was a guest for some predator calling on a ranch on the Frio River. On arrival day we were served lunch by the ranch cook. Lunch was a delicious stew filled with tender meat that was obviously from a small mammal. I inquired of the cook what species of animal, and he very reluctantly informed me that it was a young jackrabbit he’d collected that morning. His reluctance was because he figured (correctly) that most Texans are prejudiced against eating jackrabbit.

As one who takes a certain pride in eating whatever I shoot, I find myself on the horns of a dilemma relative to turkey gobblers. I am not necessarily a hunter of trophy turkeys, being willing to settle for whichever long-beard comes to the call. I also take pride, however, in fooling big old mature toms and generally give jakes a free pass.

There are three kinds of venison-eaters: 1) those who love it, 2) those who don’t, and 3) those who won’t try it because they’ve been told that deer meat is “strong” or “gamey-tasting” ... or because they were once fed a piece that fit that description.