Some hunters think the only way to cook venison is to fry the backstrap. That’s a fine way. But at our house it replaces most ingredients except Blue Bell and Peanut Butter. It’s excellent in meat loaves, pasta, casseroles, and cut into small chunks, stuffed with jalapeño pepper, wrapped with tooth-picked bacon strips, and grilled, as pictured. (Photo by John Jefferson)

by John Jefferson

Teal season opened on September 20, and a regulation change shortened the season. It now closes on September 28. The bag Limit is still six, however. But hurry.

Archery only season opens Saturday — September 27 — for white-tailed deer and wild turkeys. The archery- only restriction just applies during the special season. In most counties, it ends October 31, the day before the regular season opens. (Panhandle, Trans-Pecos counties are different, and South Texas Regular Season ends later).

But archers may still legally use the weapons of their choice during all other open seasons.

Hunters may see some nice antlered bucks, too, since bucks might still be hanging in bachelor groups during the early part of the season.

Some may even still have some or all the “velvet” on their antlers. But it’ll be gone very soon.

According to Blaise Korzekwa, TPWD’s white-tailed deer program leader, a number of mature bucks should be on the range since good fawn crops for several previous years have matured by now. That could bring on decision time for hunters: To shoot or not to shoot?

I know, shooting’s the name of the game.

But statistics from the National Deer Association (NDA) indicate that many hunters only kill one deer or fewer per season. And if he kills only one deer, “Jed Hunter” probably took a buck. Raise your hand if you’ve done that a time or two.

And believe me, I know how hard it is to pass pulling the trigger when a nice buck appears. Been There!.

But archery-only season lasts a month; many will have other chances. And as many of us claim, our main reason for hunting is to put quality, nutritious meat on the table. If that’s so, why shouldn’t we tend to that first?

Smarter minds than mine say removing does from the range early also better serves conservation, anyway. It takes hungry mouths off the range and leaves groceries on the ground for others as winter arrives and deer food supplies shrink.

There’s a proven benefit of taking a doe instead of a rutting buck. Back in the ‘60s, a friend’s mother, who had come from a hunting family, told me “Does are better eatin’ than a tough ol’ buck!” I’ve experienced that enough to agree.

But don’t take my word for it. If it’s true, you’d think most hunters would agree. NDA research, however, says buck harvest outnumbers doe harvests in numerous states, confirming hunters aren’t taking enough does. And those no-doe hunters may be the ones who complain loudly about seeing more does than bucks on their hunts.

And better meat gets left to live … and eat.

NDA researched which was better table faire – does or bucks? They tested venison’s color, aroma, texture, tenderness, and flavor.

Does took three categories. Bucks took one, and they tied on one. Field care, refrigeration, and cooking skills all matter too.

Suit yourself; but think about it. And take home a doe or two.

JJ