Living entirely off of game meat.

[GBuck]

So this is a goal of mine I have had since I first got interested in hunting, fishing, gardening and all that stuff. I am just wondering what everyone's thoughts are on the subject, whether it be the healthiness of it, how hard it would be, or whatever. maybe some of you currently do this yourself, if so I'd like to hear how you manage it.
I for one think that living off of game meat and meat you raised yourself in a free range environment is by far the healthiest way to eat your protein.

I am not sure if it is possible to hunt everything you would need and still have a job/family. You might consider bartering with other hunters to trade game meats. I am just throwing that out there - not sure of the legalities.

[fishy steve]

we survive mostly on wildgame meat, as others, we buy the odd meat like lunch meats and hamburgers etc. but last 2 years i have gotton a bear as well as a deer, and eat mostly that, down to my last 2 packs right now actually. also raise chickens and turkeys for meat and eggs as well, and do all my own butchering and plucking so get lots of meat from them. havent gotton into cows yet, as have bin good with wildgame meat, but am really wanting to get myself a jersey calf to raise, as i have bin watching kijiji and auctions and see alot of them selling from $20-100 each, got lots of pasture and hay for them so would just need to spend some time bottle feeding it, then butcher it myself as well and would have nice cheap meat. my cost to hunt my meat is low as i hunt on my own property and the crown land around it, so i have no gas to do it, just a bit of money buying oats for bear bait... and as for the time spent doing it, well id be doing it anyways as its what i love to do...

[finsfurfeathers]

Like oranges too much to go off the grid completely but try my best. When as a kid moved into my neighbourhood over 30 years ago it was great. Coming from an Italian background and most of the community off the boat Italians it was like an European farming community. With 1/2 acre lots everyone had their home garden most raised some kind of farm meat. Growing up we had rabbits, chickens, quails and bought other than staples, junk food and potatoes(cheaper to buy than grow for the space they take up) bought very little. Over the years the neighbourhood has changed. Now with the monster home people the flavour of the community has changed. Last neighbour to move in behind me was the nail in the coffin to my 3 egg chickens as technically bylaws state no farm animals allowed which was not a problem for old world people.

[MikePal]

Why pay $4, to process your chickens?

We used to do our own, when we first started out with 20 chickens....then I started raising 100 to sell off 2/3 to pay for mine, so I had to use the Poultry Plucking Service anyway...like you said it's the law. Same with pork...I raise 6 pigs and sell 4 so they have to go thru the licensed/inspected abattoir.

. Coming from an Italian background and most of the community off the boat Italians it was like an European farming community.

One of the customers for my live rabbits is an 'old world' Italian...lives in a fancy home in the burbs....I pull up and the garage door opens and there he is with his apron on and a huge smile...His daughter says 'Rabbit Day' is the happiest he has all month. He loves to do up a couple of rabbits for her.

Nice to see/hear that there are a few more folks on the forum who have found there way to a better life/lifestyle.

[alfoldivandor]

So this is a goal of mine I have had since I first got interested in hunting, fishing, gardening and all that stuff. I am just wondering what everyone's thoughts are on the subject, whether it be the healthiness of it, how hard it would be, or whatever. maybe some of you currently do this yourself, if so I'd like to hear how you manage it.
I for one think that living off of game meat and meat you raised yourself in a free range environment is by far the healthiest way to eat your protein.

Well I get a Bear Deer yearly , some year Moose , on Bear hunt picking blueberries for the winter . I have to try Duck , Geese ,Rabbit , Grouse , squirrel ,

I can say it is possible .

[topher]

depends how many people there are in your family like "The wife" said for 2 people its doable. a family of 6... I doubt i could do it. A moose,, a deer or two and ALOT of duck/goose breasts in the freezer(s) i believe helps keep cost down.. (moose meat isnt cheap) the rest are in my backyard.. lol..

[TurkeyRookie]

from the Mennonites that have moved in around Matheson/Val-Gagne.

Moved in? more like taken over! wholly smokes! everytime I drive that way there's a newer, bigger barn raised, and another huge new clear cut and fields put in.

They have been busy!

[400bigbear]

I've done it all my life and grew up with it . I've always lived on atleast 50% no matter where I lived . Like MikePal and others I raise or do a share raise with others and yes I also barter . I hunt and fish locally and likely don't save much in the long run if anything, but when I harvest I feel less under the gun by any fluctuation in the market . I eat what I want , when I want . I have a root cellar too . Do I still grocery shop ? Yes I do, but rarely for red meat and never fish . I do like putting on a smash of chicken wings though for company . If I'm not going to raise something I barter for it that year . If I hear of roadkill , I'll take that too if freezer is low or find someone who will . But I subsidize my yearly food intake by hunting ,fishing , growing , raising my own critters , or bartering . At one time I even used to make my own beer and wine . LOL I've never had to poach wildlife but if the day came , I'm an honest man and would . If no wildlife I would eat my dog , then your dog and maybe even you .. LOL

TD

[MikePal]

If no wildlife I would eat my dog , then your dog and maybe even you .. LOL
TD

You might be on to something....do you know how many good eats are listed on Kijiji as "Free to a Good Home '...LOL....

[greatwhite]

Don't you guy's be stealing my Gig. I have first dibs on all free eats in Kijiji in the Ottawa region.

You might be on to something....do you know how many good eats are listed on Kijiji as "Free to a Good Home '...LOL....