Wild Fish and Game Podcast

Harvesting Nature

The Wild Fish and Game Podcast explores wild food at the intersection of place, season, culture, and craft. Hosted by Justin Townsend and the Harvesting Nature team, the show goes beyond recipes and hunting stories to examine how food is grown, harvested, preserved, and carried through real life. Each episode dives into the whole wild food system, from hunting, fishing, and foraging to butchery, preservation, and cooking, while asking more profound questions about sustainability, tradition, and how people have continuously fed themselves from the land. Along the way, Justin and his co-hosts are joined by chefs, hunters, foragers, biologists, writers, and cultural knowledge-keepers who help connect ecology to the table. Whether discussing regional foodscapes, seasonal harvests, preservation techniques, or modern wild-food culture, the Wild Fish and Game Podcast is about learning to eat with the land rather than against it. Harvesting Nature is a wild food media company dedicated to education, conservation, and self-reliance through hunting, fishing, and foraging. Questions, feedback, and guest suggestions can be sent to whatscooking@harvestingnature.com.

  1. Episode 274: The Wild Pantry, Part IV, Smoking

    4D AGO

    Episode 274: The Wild Pantry, Part IV, Smoking

    Summary: This conversation delves into the ancient art of smoking food, exploring its historical significance, cultural practices, and the science behind how smoking enhances flavor and preserves food. The hosts discuss various smoking techniques, safety considerations, and the versatility of smoking in modern culinary practices, including the use of liquid smoke as an alternative. The discussion emphasizes the transformative power of smoke in enhancing the richness and complexity of flavors in wild foods. In this conversation, Adam Berkelmans and Justin Townsend delve into the art of smoking food, discussing various techniques, common mistakes, and creative recipes. They explore the use of liquid smoke, the importance of seasoning, and the communal aspect of smoking as a cooking method. The discussion emphasizes the balance between traditional methods and modern conveniences, encouraging listeners to experiment with smoking techniques and flavors. - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Leave a Review of the Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Buy our Wild Fish and Game Spices⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Art of Venison Sausage Making Links: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Smoked Za’atar Puffball Mushroom Citrus Smoked Venison Shanks Smoked Goose Hearts with Lemon Dressing Blackened Smoked Salmon Burgers with Duck Fat Fries Smoked Venison Chili Chapters: 00:00 The Art of Smoking: An Ancient Preservation Method 03:12 Cultural Significance and Global Practices of Smoking 05:46 The Science Behind Smoking: How It Works 09:13 Getting Started: Tools and Techniques for Smoking 12:00 Safety Considerations in Smoking Food 14:50 Exploring Wild Foods: Smoking Fish and Game 17:58 The Versatility of Smoking: Beyond Preservation 20:52 Liquid Smoke: A Modern Alternative 24:00 Conclusion: Embracing the Flavor of Smoke 29:31 Exploring Liquid Smoke and DIY Techniques 31:00 Crossover Methods in Smoking and Preservation 38:51 Common Mistakes in Smoking Techniques 40:00 Starting with Hot Smoking: Easy Entry Points 49:04 Creative Smoking Recipes and Techniques 51:01 The Communal Aspect of Smoking and Traditional Techniques Takeaways: Smoking is one of the oldest methods of food preservation. Cultural practices of smoking vary globally, from fish to meats. The science of smoking involves compounds that enhance flavor and preservation. Hot smoking cooks food while cold smoking requires careful temperature control. Different smoking setups range from simple DIY to advanced electric smokers. Safety is crucial, especially with cold smoking to prevent bacterial growth. Wild foods like fish and game benefit greatly from smoking techniques. Smoking transforms food, enhancing its flavor and richness. Liquid smoke offers a convenient alternative but should be used sparingly. Understanding the history and methods of smoking can enhance culinary experiences. Liquid smoke can be recreated with simple tools. Combining smoking with other preservation methods yields better results. Too much smoke can lead to bitter flavors; a thin stream is ideal. Temperature control is crucial for successful smoking. Wild game requires different smoking techniques than domestic meats. Seasoning is essential; smoke adds flavor but is not a substitute. Overcrowding the smoker can lead to uneven cooking. Quality of wood affects the flavor of smoked food. Hot smoking is an accessible entry point for beginners. Smoking can be a communal and enjoyable experience. Keywords: Smoking, food preservation, wild food, cultural practices, safety, techniques, flavor enhancement, liquid smoke, ancient methods, culinary arts liquid smoke, smoking techniques, preservation methods, common mistakes, hot smoking, creative recipes, communal cooking, traditional flavors Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    49 min
  2. Wild Salmon, Wild Forests

    APR 28

    Wild Salmon, Wild Forests

    Summary: Join us as Tyson Fick from Yakobi Fisheries shares insights into Alaskan salmon fishing, conservation efforts, and the ecological importance of wild salmon. Discover the nuances of sustainable fishing, the impact of habitat preservation, and how consumer choices can support healthy fisheries. - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Leave a Review of the Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Buy our Wild Fish and Game Spices⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Art of Venison Sausage Making⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Links: Salmon In the Trees Life in Alaska's Tongass Rain Forest by Amy Gulick Salmon State Yakobi Fisheries Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Salmon Fishing and Conservation 15:55 The Importance of the Tongass National Forest 24:01 Management Plans and Future of the Tongass 26:01 The Future of Fisheries and Conservation 34:08 Culinary Delights: Cooking with Salmon 40:02 The Importance of Sustainable Seafood Choices 44:22 Advocacy and Support for Fisheries Takeaways: Alaskan salmon fishing techniques Conservation of the Tongass National Forest Impact of habitat loss on salmon populations Differences between wild and farmed salmon Ecological role of salmon in forest health Keywords: Salmon fishing, Alaska, conservation, wild seafood, sustainable fishing, Tongass National Forest, fishery management, seafood preservation, ecosystem health Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    44 min
  3. APR 21

    Episode 272: On the Ethics of Killing: The Moral Math of Eating

    Summary: Explore the ethical considerations of eating and killing in the context of hunting, food production, and environmental impact. Blake Binford shares insights from his book 'On the Ethics of Killing: The Moral Math of Eating', discussing how distance from nature influences our perceptions and responsibilities. - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Leave a Review of the Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Buy our Wild Fish and Game Spices⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Art of Venison Sausage Making ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Links: On the Ethics of Killing: The Moral Math of Eating Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Wild Food and Perspectives 02:50 Personal Journey and the Role of Food 06:13 The Ethics of Eating and Protein Sources 08:58 Wild Game and Its Nutritional Value 11:56 Revisiting Perspectives on Food Production 15:02 The Cost of Living: Death and Consumption 17:47 Understanding Clean vs. Violent Food 20:59 The Distance of Modern Life from Nature 23:59 Moral Relief and Responsibility in Food Choices 27:06 Access to Food and Public Lands 30:12 Ethical Considerations of Distance in Food Production 32:17 Understanding the Cost of Consumption 39:28 Ethics of Hunting and Awareness 50:25 Moral Math in Food Choices 56:46 Honest Eating and Personal Responsibility Takeaways: The concept that living requires death and its implications The impact of modern life and distance from nature on food ethics The idea of moral responsibility following the act of killing The relationship between hunting, food production, and environmental conservation The concept of kill count per calorie as a moral math model Keywords: Ethics of killing, hunting, food sustainability, environmental impact, moral responsibility, wild game, food waste, conservation, food ethics, natural world Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    58 min
  4. Episode 271: The Wild Pantry, Part III - Dehydrating and Drying

    APR 14

    Episode 271: The Wild Pantry, Part III - Dehydrating and Drying

    Summary: Explore the ancient and modern techniques of drying and dehydrating food, its scientific principles, and practical applications in wild food lifestyle. Learn how to preserve, enhance, and utilize wild ingredients through drying methods. - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Leave a Review of the Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Buy our Wild Fish and Game Spices⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Art of Venison Sausage Making ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Recipes: ⁠Lone Star Jerky⁠ ⁠Maple Whisky Trout Jerky⁠ ⁠How to Make Heart Jerky⁠ ⁠Kimi’s Kitchen Cookbook⁠ Chapters: 00:00 The Art of Drying: A Historical Perspective 03:10 Scientific Principles of Drying Food 06:09 Modern Techniques for Food Drying 08:57 Safety and Nutritional Aspects of Dried Foods 12:14 Practical Applications: Drying Wild Game and Fish 24:29 The Art of Drying Mushrooms 27:45 Exploring Dehydrated Ingredients 30:04 Jerky: A Versatile Snack 32:50 Creative Jerky Recipes 36:05 Innovative Drying Techniques 39:02 Mushroom Drying Essentials 42:29 Cured and Smoked Fish Recipes Takeaways: History and cultural significance of drying food Scientific principles behind drying and water activity Techniques and equipment for drying food at home Food safety considerations in drying and dehydrating Enhancing flavor and nutrition through drying Keywords: Food preservation, drying, dehydrating, wild food, food science, jerky, mushrooms, fish, food safety, culinary techniques Added clips: How Does Freeze Drying Work? Safely Dehydrating and Freeze Drying Foods Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    48 min
  5. Wild Game Is More Than Protein

    MAR 31

    Wild Game Is More Than Protein

    Summary: This episode explores the full value of wild animals beyond just protein, emphasizing traditional and cultural uses of all animal parts, including fat, marrow, organs, and connective tissues. It highlights how modern diets and hunting practices can benefit from a holistic approach to animal utilization. - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Leave a Review of the Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Buy our Wild Fish and Game Spices⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Art of Venison Sausage Making⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Chapters: 00:00 The Value of the Whole Animal 02:05 Cultural Shifts in Protein Consumption 05:25 Historical Perspectives on Animal Parts 09:26 The Importance of Fat and Connective Tissue 18:28 Nutritional Insights Beyond Muscle Meat 25:30 The Broader Nutritional Spectrum 32:03 Practical Applications in Cooking Takeaways: Full animal utilization in hunting and cooking Historical and cultural perspectives on animal parts Nutritional benefits of offal, marrow, and connective tissue Keywords: Wild game, full animal utilization, traditional cuisine, connective tissue, collagen, offal, nutrition, hunting, cooking techniques References: International Food Information Council — 2023 Food & Health Survey USDA — Dietary Guidelines for Americans Vilhjalmur Stefansson — The Fat of the Land Cordain et al., American Journal of Clinical Nutrition — Evolutionary diets research Khatri M, et al. 2021. The effects of collagen peptide supplementation on body composition, collagen synthesis, and recovery from joint injury and exercise: a systematic review. Campos LD, et al. 2023. Collagen supplementation in skin and orthopedic diseases: A review of the literature. Latoch A, et al. 2024. Edible Offal as a Valuable Source of Nutrients in the Diet—A Review. Fuerniss HF, et al. 2024. Nutrient Analysis of Raw United States Beef Offal Items. Joy JM, et al. 2024. A Review on Fish Skin-Derived Gelatin. de Paz-Lugo P, et al. 2018. High glycine concentration increases collagen synthesis…McCarty MF, et al. 2018. Dietary Glycine Is Rate-Limiting for Glutathione Synthesis… Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    34 min
  6. Wild American Foodscapes - Newfoundland

    MAR 24

    Wild American Foodscapes - Newfoundland

    Summary: Justin and Adam explore Newfoundland's unique food landscape shaped by environmental constraints, historical fishing practices, and cultural resilience. From wild fish and seal to the impact of ecological management and market forces, discover how this remote island balances abundance with sustainability. - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Leave a Review of the Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Buy our Wild Fish and Game Spices⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Art of Venison Sausage Making Special Guests Mark Kurlansky Lori McCarthy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Jenn Shears Chapters 00:00 The Landscape of Newfoundland's Food System 02:09 Historical Context of Indigenous Food Practices 04:58 The Impact of European Arrival on Food Systems 07:05 The Role of Seal in Newfoundland's Culture and Economy 10:47 Wildlife Management and Public Perception 13:10 The Nutritional Value of Seal Meat 16:59 The Collapse of the Cod Fishery and Its Aftermath 21:46 Migration and Shifts in Food Systems 24:13 Resilience and Continuity in Food Practices 26:56 Sustainable Eating in Newfoundland Takeaways: Environmental constraints shaping food systems Historical and cultural significance of fishing and hunting Impact of policies on local food and economy Keywords: Newfoundland, wild food, seal hunting, cod fishery, sustainable fishing, food culture, ecological management, wild game, food preservation, ocean health Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    30 min
  7. What If the Grocery Stores Didn’t Open Tomorrow?

    MAR 10

    What If the Grocery Stores Didn’t Open Tomorrow?

    Summary: Explore the fragility of our food systems and the importance of community resilience. This episode examines historical and modern disruptions to food supply, the interconnectedness of grocery stores, and how hunters and individuals can prepare for potential crises. - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Leave a Review of the Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Buy our Wild Fish and Game Spices⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Art of Venison Sausage Making⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Chapters: 00:00 The Thought Experiment: What if Grocery Stores Closed? 02:08 Historical Stress Tests: The Great Depression and WWII 04:00 COVID-19 and the Distribution Shock 06:14 The Ecosystem of Grocery Supply Chains 07:28 Personal Food Security: What Do You Have? 08:27 The Global Network Behind Local Groceries 11:16 Relying on Pantry Staples and Local Food 13:45 The Importance of Seeds and Salt for Resilience 15:01 Environmental Factors and Food Accessibility 16:44 Week One: Managing Food with Pantry and Freezer 17:34 Hunters and Overharvesting Risks 19:26 Wildlife and Ecosystem Impact of Food Crises 21:24 Human Behavior and Law in Crisis Situations 24:10 The Limits of Hunting and Food Independence 27:36 Long-Term Food Scarcity and Agriculture Challenges 30:29 Traditional Food Preservation Techniques 32:20 Reviving Cultural Food Skills for Resilience 36:28 Community Over Individualism in Crises 39:18 The Future of Food Security and Cultural Memory Takeaways: Our food system works because it operates constantly; any interruption cracks the foundation. Grocery stores are complex ecosystems, not just buildings, reliant on global logistics and infrastructure. In crises, reliance on local skills like hunting, gardening, and food preservation becomes crucial. Community cooperation and shared knowledge are key to resilience in food security. Practicing traditional food preservation techniques strengthens cultural memory and preparedness. Keywords: Food security, grocery stores, resilience, hunting, self-reliance, supply chain, community, wild food, crisis preparedness, sustainability Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    39 min
5
out of 5
6 Ratings

About

The Wild Fish and Game Podcast explores wild food at the intersection of place, season, culture, and craft. Hosted by Justin Townsend and the Harvesting Nature team, the show goes beyond recipes and hunting stories to examine how food is grown, harvested, preserved, and carried through real life. Each episode dives into the whole wild food system, from hunting, fishing, and foraging to butchery, preservation, and cooking, while asking more profound questions about sustainability, tradition, and how people have continuously fed themselves from the land. Along the way, Justin and his co-hosts are joined by chefs, hunters, foragers, biologists, writers, and cultural knowledge-keepers who help connect ecology to the table. Whether discussing regional foodscapes, seasonal harvests, preservation techniques, or modern wild-food culture, the Wild Fish and Game Podcast is about learning to eat with the land rather than against it. Harvesting Nature is a wild food media company dedicated to education, conservation, and self-reliance through hunting, fishing, and foraging. Questions, feedback, and guest suggestions can be sent to whatscooking@harvestingnature.com.

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