|
|
|
Visit the Extension and 4-H shooting sports booths at the Wildlife ExpoBy Justin McConaghy 4-H Educator, OSU Extension Hunting season is here. While hunters practice precautions in the field, it is also important to use safe practices while field dressing, processing, cooking and preserving venison. In the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service Wild Game Food Safety booth, hunters can watch a new Oklahoma produced DVD on field dressing, processing and cooking venison during the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation's upcoming Wildlife Expo Sept. 26 to 28 at the Lazy E Arena near Guthrie. The DVD will be provided free to interested persons visiting the OCES booth during the 2008 Expo. Oklahoma 4-H Shooting Sports will also have a booth at the expo where you can learn how your children ages 9 to 19 can be involved in the many shooting sports clubs across the state. The shooting sports program teaches youth the safe and proper ways to handle firearms while practicing accuracy, and allows them to compete in district and state competitions. Cleveland County 4-H currently has an air rifle and archery program, and some counties have shotgun and light firearm shooting sports. A seminar, Venison--Field to Table, will also be offered by Logan County Extension professional, Cathy James, on Sept. 27 at 9 a.m. for those visiting the Expo. Good food safety practices with wild game begin in the field, said Barbara Brown, OCES food safety specialist. "After game is properly dressed, it is important to keep the carcass cool during transport until it reaches the processing plant," Brown said. "Keep the carcass out of the direct sunlight and make sure there is adequate air circulation." A carcass can be processed at home, but it is important not to cross-contaminate during processing. Brown suggests washing knives, hands and cutting board often with warm, soapy water. It is also important to wear rubber gloves. For aging meat, hold carcasses or cuts at temperatures of 34 degrees to 37 degrees Fahrenheit for 10 to 14 days. This allows enzymes in meat to break down some complex proteins and often makes meat more tender and flavorful. "Immediately after death, all meat decreases in tenderness," Brown said. "To help make the meat more tender beef is aged but with wild game aging may not be necessary." Brown said aging meat is not recommended for carcasses with little or no fat covering, since meat may dry out during aging. If this is the case, leave the hide on and maintain proper temperature. If there is not proper cooler space, spoilage or dehydration may result. When storing meat in the refrigerator it should be used within two to three days. Raw and cooked meat should be kept separate to prevent cross-contamination. "The best practice for freezing meat is to set the freezer temperature at negative 10 degrees Fahrenheit at least 24 hours ahead of freezing large quantities of fresh food," Brown said. "Spread packages around the freezer until frozen, then you can stack the new items within the freezer. For the best quality, keep freezer temperature at zero degrees Fahrenheit." Canning meat is another form of preservation and it is important to remember not to can meat unless using a pressure canner and a recipe from a reliable source. "Improperly canned meat can kill," she said. "Low acid foods, such as meat and most 'mixtures' of food, should never be canned in the water-bath method. Pressure and adequate processing time are necessary to produce safe canned meat" Oklahoma Wildlife Expo participants may stop by the OCES Wild Game Food Safety booth 16 to learn more about food safety with wild game. The Expo is an opportunity for hunting enthusiasts to explore more than 200 booths and activities focusing on outdoor hobbies. "The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation partners every year with a number of state agencies, private individuals and outdoor-related companies to host the Expo," said Recia Garcia, Northwest District Cooperative Extension family and consumer sciences program specialist. "The event is designed to educate Oklahoma residents on the importance of wildlife management to quality of life for Oklahomans, to foster support of wildlife management and outdoor recreation and to recruit future outdoor enthusiasts." The Expo offers events and booths to suit a wide variety of interests and admission is free. Additional information on the Oklahoma Wildlife Expo can be found at www.wildlifedepartment.com. The Cleveland County Extension Center is located at 601 E. Robinson in Norman or you can call 405-321-4774. The Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service offers its programs to all eligible persons regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, disability, or status as a veteran, and is an equal opportunity employer.
Date: 9/30/08
Copyright/Privacy
Copyright 1995-2009. High Plains Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved. Any republishing of these pages, including electronic reproduction of the editorial archives or classified advertising, is strictly prohibited. If you have questions or comments you can reach us at High Plains Journal 1500 E. Wyatt Earp Blvd., P.O. Box 760, Dodge City, KS 67801 or call 1-800-452-7171. Email: webmaster@hpj.com |
Market Snapshot
|
