Episode 269: Wild Game Is More Than Protein

Episode 269: Wild Game Is More Than Protein

Author: Harvesting Nature March 31, 2026 Duration: 33:59
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

Justin Townsend and the team from Harvesting Nature host Wild Fish and Game Podcast, a series that treats wild food as a starting point for much wider conversations. Rather than just a collection of tactics or recipes, this podcast digs into the entire cycle of bringing food from the landscape to the table and beyond. You’ll hear discussions that connect the act of hunting or fishing to the rhythms of the season, the specifics of a place, and the cultural traditions that shape our approach to harvest. Episodes move through every stage of the process-the pursuit, the careful work of butchery, the various methods of preservation, and finally, the cooking that turns ingredients into a meal. It’s about the craft involved in each step and how these skills integrate into a practical, meaningful lifestyle. The conversations often explore how these harvested foods are carried through real life, nourishing families and communities. For anyone curious about the depth and connectivity of a life centered on wild foods, this podcast offers a thoughtful, comprehensive look at a system that is as much about philosophy and responsibility as it is about sustenance. Tune in for a consistently engaging exploration of what it truly means to know where your food comes from.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 270

Wild Fish and Game Podcast
Podcast Episodes
Episode 270: The Wild Harvest Report - April 2026 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 12:09
Summary: A comprehensive overview of April's seasonal activities across North America, focusing on hunting, fishing, foraging, and cooking wild foods. The report highlights regional differences, key species in season, an…
Episode 268: Wild American Foodscapes - Newfoundland [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:02
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 manage…
Episode 267: What If the Grocery Stores Didn’t Open Tomorrow? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:28
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 hun…
Episode 266: The Wild Harvest Report - March 2026 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 11:04
Summary: The March Food for Field Bulletin discusses the seasonal shifts in hunting, fishing, and foraging across North America, highlighting the transition from winter to spring. It covers regional variations in wildlif…
Episode 265: The Wild Pantry, Part II - Salting and Curing [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:59
Summary In this episode, Justin Townsend and Adam Berkelmans explore the ancient art of food preservation through salting and curing. They discuss the historical significance of salting, the science behind how it works,…
Episode 264: Wild American Foodscapes - Hawai'i [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:12
Summary Justin and Adam are joined by several guests for a conversation exploring the intricate relationship between food and culture in Hawaii, emphasizing the historical significance of traditional practices, the impac…
Episode 262: The Harvest Report - February 2026 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:03
Summary The Wild Harvest Report for February 2026 provides a comprehensive overview of seasonal opportunities for hunting, fishing, and foraging across North America. The report explores regions from the Southeast to the…
Episode 261: The Wild Pantry, Part I - Freezing as Preservation [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:09
Summary In this episode, Justin Townsend and Adam Berkelmans explore the significance of freezing as a method of food preservation. They discuss the historical context of freezing, the science behind how freezing affects…