SOLD OUT Intro to Deer Hunting & Using the Whole Animal

This course has now SOLD OUT, second course release dates are now live

Wild Beings and The Woodsman have teamed up to offer a unique learning experience on all things deer harvesting, meat processing, and fully utilising the animal. Based in the heart of deer country aimed at beginner hunters and anyone who wants to take the quality of what they eat into their own hands.

Harvesting wild meat for subsistence has never been more important, in a world mixed with detrimental mass meat industries and unstable food security, having access to wild game is a huge element of food sovereignty, providing yourself with healthy wild meat whilst making food choices that have positive impacts on the environment.

Here in NSW we have an outrageous and rapidly rising issue of wild deer, goats & other species.

Hunting and harvesting these animals is helping reduce the numbers whilst providing wild game for yourself.

Throughout this workshop you will go into the field and observe deer behaviour, cover hunting methods and potentially witness the harvesting of an animal. We’ll then cover the steps that need to be taken after the shot, respecting the animal, field dressing, animal retrieval, this will be done on private property with the permission of the landowner. This will be followed by a full breakdown demonstration then a hands on experience where participants can roll up their sleeves and put what they’ve learnt into practice. 

Breaking down an animal for meat used to be a regular living skill that every body knew how to do, these days it is a rarity that most meat eaters have never done. The value put on a harvest once you’ve processed it yourself from start to finish is hard to explain and can only be experienced first hand. 

This workshop is designed to not only give you the exposure of a deer harvest but also teach you the hands on skills and give you the confidence to break down an animal and utilise the meat for yourself 

This course is for those who:

• Want to learn how to butcher larger game animals 

• Want to learn the basics of hunting, legalities, equipment, species etc.

• Want to have a unique experience in harvesting an animal & learning how to use every part 

• Care about eating ethically in a way that benefits ecology 

• Want to transition into providing for themselves rather than relying on processed meats 

Itinerary:

Friday: Arrival at lunchtime, briefing on the weekend, safety, introduction.

Dinner supplied.

Saturday AM: Go for a stalk at first light with Darcy, cover tracking, deer behaviour, deer sign, scats, rub trees, stalking and hunting methods.  Potential deer harvest.

Deer processing, basic hygiene, skinning gutting, carcass breakdown, tools & setup.

Lunch supplied.

PM: Continue breaking down animals, mincing, packing, cooking techniques, jerky making, eating offal, fat rendering, bone broth making,

Wash & clean up

Dinner supplied.

Talk on whats in a hunting pack. Debrief the day, Questions for Darcy

Sunday- Hide prep, de fleshing the hide, salt & freeze storing methods, natural tanning talk.

Utilising every part, hocks, toes, bones, tendons. 

Finalising break down. 

Lunch

PM- Wrap up, Clean up, Pack down.

The nature of each deer harvest is always different, there are many variables in hunting and at times it may take longer than others, it can be cold in the mountains so it is best to be well equipped to be out in the elements. Please bring suitable outdoor warm & wet weather gear, warm sleeping equipment & waterproof sturdy shoes. We will have access to a shearing shed if you prefer to camp inside but it will still be cold. Get in touch with any queries about this. 

Together we will break down the deer, (we will have a few we prepared earlier) giving you hands on experience on careful skinning methods, how to hang the body, precise cuts, separating the meat, what each muscle is, cooking with different cuts. 

This workshop is focused on utilising the meat for food.

You will learn:

-       How to hang up an animal for butchering

-       Correct skinning methods

-       Breaking down each section

-       How to cook different cuts

-       Rendering the fat

-       Cooking with offal

-       Making bone broth

-       Knife safety and efficiency

-      Basics of hunting 

- Preparing and preserving the hide

You will experience taking part in the harvesting of the deer, you WILL NOT be harvesting the deer yourself, this will be done by a licensed shooter. 

There will be strict safety measures put in place during the deer harvest that attendees agree to follow. 

This workshop is limited to 12 people only. BYO camping setup & breakfasts. Not essential items but handy to have would be, binoculars, drab coloured jacket or jumper, knife, head torch. 

Location: Will be disclosed in email for privacy of the property owners. It is 3 Hours North West of Newcastle 3.5 Hours North West of Sydney

This workshop goes from Friday afternoon to Sunday late afternoon. You are welcome to stay Sunday night and return home in the morning.

Cost $750pp. Payment plans available.

Important Information: Darcy has all of his legal hunting accreditations & has permission to hunt by the owners of this private property.