Monongalia County’s West Virginia University Extension Service experts will help hopeful hunters learn the how-tos of safely handling venison for their freezers at an Oct. 10 workshop.

Venison 101: From Field to Fixins takes place in the Browns-Halleck Community Center. The class is the first of its kind to take place in the county, according to WVU Extension Agent Hannah Fincham.

Venison 101 lasts from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. and will cover a variety of hands-on topics.
A $5 course fee will cover the cost of supplies.

“Hunting is a popular sport in our state,” Fincham said. “We want to teach hunters the food handling process, from start to finish, so that everyone can enjoy a safe and savory meal.”

In addition to participating in hands-on activities such as identifying, processing and packaging cuts, there will also be education about healthy, tasty ways to prepare venison.

“Proper food training can help to prevent food-borne illnesses, while also teaching us to preserve the quality of the meat,” Fincham added.

Representatives from the Hungarian Smokehouse in Carmichaels, Pa., will demonstrate proper ways to cut meat from the bone without contaminating it.

Steve Rauch, a wildlife biologist for the West Virginia Department of Natural Resources, said the course will also address the ways to identify deer that are not fit for consumption.

“Locals can really benefit from this course because deer hunting is one of the state’s most popular hunting sports, with high rates of participation,” Rauch said.

Venison is a good source of vitamins, minerals and proteins.

“This is a naturally low fat food that can be prepared in a variety of ways,” Fincham said. “We want to show you how simple it is to make a jerky, a meatloaf or other tasty and nutritious recipes.”

Pre-registration is required for the course. Participants must contact the Monongalia County WVU Extension Office by Thursday, Oct. 1. For more information or to register, call 304-291-7201.

—WVU-ES—

Contact: Ann Bailey Berry, WVU Extension Communications
304-293-5691; e-mail: anne.berry@mail.wvu.edu