Text and Video by Jacob Lam and Oliver Classen This recipe honors the underutilized aspects of spring: Groundhogs are often shot as a pest and tossed into a ditch; dandelions are more often sprayed than picked; field garlic is another common lawn weed that rarely makes it into the spotlight. To lift up these underappreciated aspects of Spring, I’ve thrown them in the pot to make a simple but flavorful braise. Take note, if you have ever smelled a groundhog, or tried one, and been repulsed it ...

Text & Photos by Bailey Smolarek and Ben Siebers  While most of the United States associates turkey with fall and Thanksgiving, to hunters spring and turkey go hand in hand. Watching the woods come to life on a spring morning is and hearing the gobble of a tom cut through the cool morning air signals both a new season of hunting and unforgettable experiences.  Turkeys are native to North America and were likely first domesticated by the Olmecs in south-central Mexico almost 3,000 years ago. ...

As part of our Armed Forces Initiative we'll be featuring exclusive recipes inspired by military service throughout the year. These recipes have been developed by Justin Townsend, a BHA Field To Table contributor, editor-in-chief of Harvesting Nature and a Deck Watch Officer in the United States Coast Guard. Our Armed Forces Initiative strives to ensure that active duty and veteran military personnel continue selfless service and enjoy the camaraderie of likeminded individuals committed to ...

  Surely, sometime this spring you’ll find yourself hauling a stringer full of trout. There are countless ways to prepare these fish. One of my go-to preparation methods is a simple pickled trout recipe. With a few basic ingredients and a little bit of time, you can easily create a delicious riverside snack or appetizer. While most any size trout will work with this recipe I’ve found that fish 17-in. or longer work best. Give it a shot the next time you have a few extra fillets on ...

As part of our Armed Forces Initiative we'll be featuring exclusive recipes inspired by military service throughout the year. These recipes have been developed by Justin Townsend, a BHA Field To Table contributor, editor-in-cheif of Harvesting Nature and a Deck Watch Officer in the United States Coast Guard. Our Armed Forces Initiative strives to ensure that active duty and veteran military personnel continue selfless service and enjoy the camaraderie of likeminded individuals committed to ...

The idea for this recipe has been rolling around in my head for two years. It’s most prevalent during the nine-hour drive from my home in Fargo, North Dakota, to my favorite antelope hunting spot on Wyoming public land. So, when a friend called me last week offering two rabbits he had snared, I ran to my freezer and pulled out one of the remaining packages of antelope backstrap I had been saving for a special occasion. Jackalope Wellington Ingredients: 1 antelope backstrap 2 rabbit ...

Text and Photos by Oliver Classen and Jacob Lam Winter is a time for heavy stews and roasts that keep you feeling full and primed for bitter winds, but we are entering a lighter, brighter season. Pho is a perfect dish for this transition. Hot broth and sliced steak will keep you cozy enough to brave a couple more March snowstorms or cold rains, but aromatic mint and finely cut scallions are a harbinger for more hospitable weather. Pho is a traditional Vietnamese dish made from beef broth, ...

This past deer season, my goal was to kill a deer, butcher it myself and put it in the freezer. Normally, I take my harvested deer to a processor, but I wanted to get the entire experience and have my hand in every detail. While my goal was pretty simple(my hope was to kill a doe or small buck), deer season kicked my butt early on. By the middle of November, the rut kicked in and acted as an equalizer, and I shot a heavy-bodied buck during muzzleloader season. I was nearly a mile from the ...

Text and Photos by Bailey Smolarek and Ben Siebers Winter can be tough, especially in the North and especially this year. The days are short and cold, and the sun is low and distant. But there is a unique beauty to Earth’s quiet hibernation that can be enjoyed in all of its glory on a frozen lake. Unlike warm weather fishing when it’s easy to change location, identify natural weed edges and maneuver casts, ice fishing (aka hard water season) can feel much more like a shot in the dark. It ...

It’s small game hunting season! Hunting squirrels and rabbits this time of year is exciting, accessible and can often be done successfully with friends. While incorporating the basic tenets of hunting including patience, stealth and marksmanship, small game hunting can also include conversations, camaraderie and a great sense of exploration of our public lands with friends. A day in pursuit of bushytails can yield several meals of wild game, the processing of which is an easy entry point for ...