Deerfly Diaries

Save your livers: How to make healthy homemade elk or venison liver dog treats

For those of you who don't like elk or venison liver, here's a great way to put it to use. Last night I made homemade venison liver dog treats. They came out really well and the dogs love them!! Don't  overfeed your dogs the treats, be cause too much liver is bad for them and can cause vitamin A toxicity. 

1 lb of elk or venison liver

1 cup whole wheat flour

1 cup corn meal

12-14 cloves of garlic

2 eggs

Puree the liver and garlic. Add eggs, flour and corn meal.  Grease 11x13" cookie sheet.  Spread mixture evenly on the sheet. Bake for 350 degrees for 20 minutes. The recipe said to flip it halfway through, but I forgot that part and it worked fine. Cut into 1/2 to one inch squares depending on the size of your dog. Store the dog treats sealed in the fridge.

 

Sue Melus owns Melus Outdoors, creative communications and freelance writing for the outdoors.

Western Colorado Mule Deer Doe

I'm excited to say that I filled my mule deer tag on Saturday night with a beautiful doe. I have been privileged with permission to hunt this piece of property for four years now. It's close to home and fairly accessible, which makes it a great solo hunt for me. It's a lot easier to be stealthy and quiet when you are only one. 

The last few days there were two herds of at least 50 animals each on two of the neighboring properties, neither of which I had permission to hunt. I was feeling a little dejected and calling it a night as thunder rolled in the distance and lightening lit the early evening sky. On my walk back to my truck, I spotted a small herd of does. The hunt was back on!

Luckily, the wind was in my favor. I was able to stalk closer by staying low and connecting the largest sage brush bushes. I saw the animal I wanted and I closed the distance. I placed my sites squarely on the deer as she turned broadside for what I knew was my last opportunity. I let off my shot and watched as the deer jumped in the air and then ran off with the rest of the herd into the neighboring scrub oaks.

As I searched for the animal I feared the worst, but in short order, and with the help of my headlamp, I located the blood trail and soon found my deer. It was dark and raining, but I couldn't have been happier. I had made a perfect clean shot in the vitals. I had one bar of cell service and was able to text message Glenn, "I got one." By the time Glenn was there to help me, I had her cleaned and we were ready to get her out of the field.  

The cleaning and processing gets easier for Glenn and me every time. Make no mistake, it's still work. But I feel good about filling my freezer with healthy, organic, grass fed venison. We try to cut as many steaks as possible and the rest goes to stew meat or ground meat. I am even going to try making jerky this year. 

I like to trim the steaks well. Then I vacuum seal them, two per pack, into servings that can be taken out of the freezer for nightly meals. It's a great feeling to experience the whole process from shot to grill!

 

Fall Vacation in New Hampshire and New York

Glenn and I had a great time in Jaffrey, NH and Cazenovia, NY visiting our families.  In NH we visited Glenn's mom, grandma, uncle, sister and his nieces. In NY we saw my parents, my grandma, my great aunt, and some of my high school and college friends.

The colors were just about peaking and we even saw some blue skies.  We enjoyed the Jaffrey Scarecrows on the Commons, fishing, grouse hunting, apple picking and tasting apple vodka!

Enjoy the slideshow.

Fall Vacation in New Hampshire and New York from Sue Melus on Vimeo.

New Hampshire and Central New York in the fall

Tomorrow Glenn and I jump on a plane back east for a visit with our families. It's too bad our families are so far away, but it's nice that he and I are both from the Northeast and can visit everyone in one trip.

We'll fly into Manchester, NH to visit with Glenn's mom, Fontaine, in Jaffrey. She lives on a beautiful piece of property that sets on quiet Gilmore Pond. Last time we were there we saw otters, wild turkeys, deer and grouse while we canoed around the lake. Glenn caught a fish the he reported to be a "monster bass," but I never actually saw it. Recently Fontaine saw a moose stroll right through her yard.  So we are looking forward to relaxation time and good fall colors while in Jaffrey.

Glenn's Mom and his Grandma will join us on our roadtrip to my parents who live near Cazenovia, NY, just a five hour drive west. On the way we may see my Aunt Jane in the Albany area.

The part of Central New York State where I grew up is equally beautiful to the New Hampshire countryside. It probably has less forest and more dairy farms and is every bit as hilly. The Adirondacks are about 60 miles northeast of us. We will have some time to go ruffed grouse (or partridge as they say there) hunting with my Dad and his two English Setters, which should be great fun. 

We will also get to see my 99 year old Grandma, Iola, who lives next door to my parents. She turns 100 this January!

As usual, we are expecting rain, but will take what we get and look at sunny days as a bonus. I'll try to post some photos on our trip.

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Sue Melus owns Melus Outdoors, LLC, public realtions and communications for hunting, fishing, shooting and resource conservation.