Fit for Table

I haven't had much chance to do more than give this title a cursory examination, but it does seem to provide the information that no other modern cookbook I've encountered has done: how to prepare game from the field for presentation at the table. I am a product of modern society [eg: after 1950, more Americans were born in hospitals than at home, ie, we became an urban nation vs. previously, we were a rural one. To make a point: Nixon was our 1st president born in a hospital vs. at home.]My dad grew up on a farm in Texas, both my grandmothers knew how to get from live chicken to one in the oven: I know how to go to the store & buy a bird that's already been prepped & toss it in the oven. Quite a big gap in there, isn't there? I have no qualms about hunting, but I won't hunt unless I eat what I bag, so I don't hunt because I have no knowledge of how to get the game from "hullo, I've bagged me a turkey!" to the "hullo, this bird is ready to burn!" stage. That's what this book is about!It is well-illustrated, w/ lots of photos. If you're squeamish, this book won't be for you, because it depicts clearly what needs to be done in order to progress from field to table. I appreciate the clarity, and thank the author for writing this book: I think it is something very needed in our modern society, where these basic skills are being lost.

The book is well constructed, not a cheap paperback. If you are expecting any of Mike Robinson's recipes however, they are not here. This is however, a good basic butchery guide to various types of small and large wild game.

One of the best

For various and personal reasons I gave up hunting years ago; something I had spent my life doing since I was the age of eight. I still go on the occasional pheasant hunt, more to watch the dogs than to actually bring home game and I do fish, although I catch and release for the most part. There are times though as to the fishing where the fish is too damaged to release and the only thing to do is eat it.Anyway, other than the directions for preparing the wild boar here and the woodcock, I have prepared and butchered and indeed cooked, ever critter featured here...many, many, many times for all of them. I share this information purely to let the reader know that I did not just fall off the turnip wagon when it comes to preparing wild game.Now please keep in mind that the old saying "there is more than one way to skin a cat," most certainly applies to this subject. For every method shown and discussed here, there are at least a dozen others, some may be more effect and efficient, many are not. I did find though that this is one of the better books I have read on the subject. More about that later.This work covers the preparation of game birds, plucking, skinning, breasting, crowning gutting and drawing. The next chapter takes the reader through the preparation of deer, from the field to the table. This includes field dressing, skinning and butchering. Wild Boar is next. I have never killed (well, I did but did not prepare it...giving it to a friend), one of these animals and doubt if I will ever again and certainly have no intention of eating one as the meat has little appeal to me personally. That being said though, the directions here are good. I have prepared a domestic hog and helped with many. The directions given are valid.The preparation of rabbit and other small game; the book uses squirrel as an example, are well covered. The number of these two animals I have prepared numbers in the hundreds. My methods of prep are a bit different but I found nothing in this work that was bad advice and in fact picked up some very useful information that I did not know or had thought about.Last is the preparation of salmon and trout. This is a very good section and the author's tips will save much time and add greatly to the eating pleasure.This work is wonderfully illustrated with full color photographs which take the reader through each and every step of the process from field to table. The text is quite concise and easy to follow.There are a couple of things the reader; the reader who has never done this sort of thing should be aware of. First, it is not as easy as it looks. Preparing game, especially large game is a lot of work! It is also very messy work. This book contains very graphic photographs.The only reservation I may have as to this work is the fact that butchering, per se, takes a lot of training and skill. I do not think that the average person will come up with quite the same results as the books shows, unless of course they have a lot of expierence.And last of all, some personal advice....you simply cannot have a knife that is sharp enough...never every try doing this stuff with a dull knife!Don BlankenshipThe Ozarks

Great book!

If there is a hunter in your family, this is a must have book. Straight forward and with photos.

Hi. I was disappointed with this book. It was bought as a gift and it was hoped would help the recipient with preparing game for the table. The photos are very clear but not always useful as the accompanying text is often inexplicit or non existent. There are many examples throughout the book where this happens, hampering the learning process for someone inexperienced in handling game. The book simply does not offer sufficient detail for the absolute beginner. For what my opinions worth, I would not recommend it.

An excellent book that should be bought by all hunters who eat their own meat or for those who have good friends that supply game in its natural form.

Bought this as a gift - the recipient was very happy and is looking forward to putting it to good use

This book is great for the game shoot collected, shows step by step prep ready for the table. It was exactly what we wanted.

A very clear guide to game preparation. Clear photographs are used throughout, the guide is well written and has easy to follow steps.