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: 50

Wild Fish and Game Podcast
Podcast Episodes
Episode 282: Learning to Hunt Lanai [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:36
Summary: Justin shares his detailed experiences hunting on the Hawaiian island of Lanai, exploring its unique terrain, logistics, and the challenges of island hunting. Discover insights into hunting Mouflon sheep and Axi…
Episode 281: Cooking by Cut - Making the Book [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:25
Summary: Justin and Adam discuss their new book 'Cooking by Cut', exploring the philosophy of butchery, cooking techniques, and global influences on wild game preparation. They share insights on organizing the book, unle…
Episode 280: Advanced Offal and Wild Game Butchery with Anna Borgman [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:22
Summary: Justin and Anna Borgman explore the fascinating world of organ meats, butchery, and processing wild and domestic animals. They share practical tips, cultural insights, and personal stories to inspire a deeper ap…
Episode 279: The Wild Pantry, Part VI, Pickling Wild Foods [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:57
Summary: Justin and Adam explore the rich history, science, and techniques of pickling, emphasizing safety, creativity, and cultural diversity. Discover how vinegar preserves, enhances flavors, and offers endless culinar…
Episode 278: The School of Salmon [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:09
Summary: Join us as Melanie Brown shares her deep connection to salmon fishing in Bristol Bay, exploring its cultural significance, sustainable practices, and environmental challenges including the impact of farmed salmo…
Episode 276: The Wild Pantry, Part V, Preserving Wild Food with Fat [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:52
Summary: In this episode, Justin Townsend and Adam Berkelmans explore the history, techniques, and safety considerations of fat-based preservation methods like confit, rillette, and oil preservation. They discuss how the…
Episode 275: Wild Game Without Borders [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:09
Summary: Justin Townsend and Adam Berkelmans explore how global cuisines can inspire new approaches to cooking wild game, emphasizing techniques suited for tougher, leaner, and more variable ingredients. They discuss the…
Episode 274: The Wild Pantry, Part IV, Smoking [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:33
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…
Episode 273: Wild Salmon, Wild Forests [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:31
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 impac…