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Wild Fish and Game Podcast

Wild Fish and Game Podcast

Written by: Harvesting Nature
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 The Wild Fish and Game Podcast explores wild food at the intersection of place, season, culture, and craft. Hosted by Justin Townsend and the Harvesting Nature team, the show goes beyond recipes and hunting stories to examine how food is grown, harvested, preserved, and carried through real life. Each episode dives into the whole wild food system, from hunting, fishing, and foraging to butchery, preservation, and cooking, while asking more profound questions about sustainability, tradition, and how people have continuously fed themselves from the land. Along the way, Justin and his co-hosts are joined by chefs, hunters, foragers, biologists, writers, and cultural knowledge-keepers who help connect ecology to the table. Whether discussing regional foodscapes, seasonal harvests, preservation techniques, or modern wild-food culture, the Wild Fish and Game Podcast is about learning to eat with the land rather than against it. Harvesting Nature is a wild food media company dedicated to education, conservation, and self-reliance through hunting, fishing, and foraging. Questions, feedback, and guest suggestions can be sent to whatscooking@harvestingnature.com.Harvesting Nature, LLC Art Cooking Food & Wine
Episodes
  • Episode 261: The Wild Pantry, Part I - Freezing as Preservation

    Episode 261: The Wild Pantry, Part I - Freezing as Preservation
    Jan 27 2026
    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 food, and practical tips for safe freezing practices. The conversation also covers the different types of freezers, the impact of air exposure on food quality, and best practices for freezing various types of food. The episode concludes with insights on managing freezer inventory effectively. - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Leave a Review of the Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Buy our Wild Fish and Game Spices⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Art of Venison Sausage Making Meat Tracker Magnet⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Chapters 00:00 The Importance of Freezing in Food Preservation 05:30 Understanding the Science of Freezing 08:01 Freezer Safety and Best Practices 10:22 Types of Freezers and Their Impact 13:36 The Effects of Air Exposure and Freezer Burn 15:24 Effective Food Wrapping Techniques 19:05 Freezing Different Types of Food 23:46 Managing Your Freezer Inventory 30:11 Conclusion and Next Steps in Preservation Takeaways Freezing is a common yet often overlooked method of food preservation. Historically, freezing was about stability rather than extreme cold. The introduction of home freezers changed food handling dynamics significantly. Freezing affects food texture due to ice crystal formation. Freezer safety is more about handling than arbitrary timelines. Air exposure leads to freezer burn, which is a form of dehydration. Vacuum sealing is one of the best methods to prevent freezer burn. Different foods require different freezing techniques for optimal preservation. Labeling and organizing your freezer can prevent waste and improve efficiency. Freezing should be treated as a skill to maximize its benefits. Keywords freezing, food preservation, freezer safety, wild food, freezing techniques, food storage, freezer burn, preservation methods, wild pantry, food science Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    29 mins
  • Episode 260: From Landscape to Foodscape: The Next Chapter of Harvesting Nature

    Episode 260: From Landscape to Foodscape: The Next Chapter of Harvesting Nature
    Jan 20 2026
    Summary In this episode of Harvesting Nature, hosts Justin Townsend and Adam Berkelmans discuss the evolution of their podcast, which has expanded beyond hunting and fishing stories to encompass broader themes such as food systems, preservation, and the integration of wild food into everyday life. They introduce three new monthly series aimed at deepening the audience's understanding of wild food culture and practices. The conversation also touches on personal updates, including plans for new books, camps, and the growth of their ecommerce store, all while maintaining a focus on community engagement and feedback. - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Leave a Review of the Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Buy our Wild Fish and Game Spices⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Art of Venison Sausage Making⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Harvesting Nature's Evolution 09:03 Personal Updates and Future Plans 14:15 Introducing New Podcast Series 20:01 Exploring the Wild Preservation Pantry 23:59 The Wild Harvest Report and Community Engagement Takeaways Harvesting Nature is evolving to include broader food system discussions. The new series will focus on regional foodscapes and preservation techniques. Community engagement is key to the podcast's growth and direction. Keywords Wild food, food systems, preservation, hunting, fishing, Harvesting Nature, cooking, butchery, food culture, podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    25 mins
  • Episode 259: The Okayest Cook Returns: Real Food, Real Learning, Real Wild Game

    Episode 259: The Okayest Cook Returns: Real Food, Real Learning, Real Wild Game
    Jan 13 2026
    Summary In this engaging conversation, Chris Whonsetler, the Okayest Cook, shares his journey into the world of cooking and hunting. He discusses the evolution of his culinary skills, the challenges of sausage making, and the importance of butchery in understanding the food we eat. The discussion highlights the connection between cooking and hunting, the role of photography in food presentation, and the philosophy behind the Okayest Cook brand, which embraces imperfection and encourages others to learn and experiment in the kitchen. Chris emphasizes the value of community and sharing experiences in the culinary world, making it clear that it's okay to be the Okayest cook and that everyone is on their own journey of learning and growth. - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Leave a Review of the Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Buy our Wild Fish and Game Spices⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Art of Venison Sausage Making ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Links Okayest Cook Website Instagram Chris Whonsetler Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Wild Cooking and Podcasting 02:57 The Journey into Hunting and Cooking 05:49 The Evolution of Cooking Skills 09:02 First Experiences with Wild Food 12:00 Misconceptions and Learning from Mistakes 15:00 The Art of Sausage Making 17:51 Challenges in Sausage Production 19:52 Exploring Butchery Techniques 21:14 The Art of Butchering: Learning Through Practice 22:21 Understanding Cuts: Regional Variations and Terminology 23:55 Visual Aids in Butchering: Enhancing Learning 24:35 Field Care: The Reality of Butchering Wild Game 27:20 The Importance of Proper Butchering Techniques 29:29 First-Time Experiences: Overcoming Intimidation in Butchering 31:20 Prioritizing Cuts: Efficient Butchering Strategies 33:20 Building a Connection: The Relationship Between Butchery and Hunting 35:01 The Decline of Processors: A Call to Learn Butchery Skills 37:35 Favorite Cuts: Surprising Discoveries in Butchering 41:16 The Art of Cooking and Butchering 42:06 The Okayest Cook Philosophy 44:30 Exploring Ingredients and Cooking Techniques 46:40 Culinary Growth and Learning 49:46 The Intersection of Photography and Cooking 52:41 Authenticity in Culinary Exploration 56:10 Embracing Mistakes in Cooking Takeaways Cooking and hunting can be learned later in life. The journey of cooking is filled with trial and error. Sausage making is a challenging yet rewarding skill. Butchery connects you more deeply with the food you eat. Understanding different cuts of meat enhances cooking. The Okayest Cook brand embraces imperfection in cooking. Cooking is about enjoying the process, not just the outcome. Photography enhances the way we appreciate food. Community and sharing experiences are vital in cooking. It's okay to be the Okayest cook; everyone starts somewhere. Keywords Cooking, hunting, butchery, wild game, sausage making, food photography, okayest cook, culinary skills, recipes, food community Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 hr
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