BARRHEAD - Have you ever wondered what elk, bear, deer or even cougar meat tastes like?
If the answer is yes, the Barrhead Fish and Game Association annual wild game and trophy night might be the event for you.
The event takes place on March 4, at the Summerdale Hall with the dinner starting at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $30 for adults, $15 for children 12 to 16 years old, while 11 years old and under are free. The event starts at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are available at Sunnyside Realty, Kodiak Lake and Hunting and Barrmart Foods.
Association president Joe Prociuk said the popular event has been going on in some form since the 1960s.
"It started out as a fundraiser, but it quickly became a tradition," he said, adding the younger members of the association were disappointed that they had to cancel the event for two years due to COVID-19. "Many of our younger members and members of the public really missed it. So, we will give it a shot."
Prociuk noted it takes a lot of work to put on the event, saying the association needed to receive special permits from Alberta Health Services and Alberta Public Health, including certifying the chef.
As for what will be on the menu, he said there will be a variety of main course meat dishes from the more traditional game animals of elk, deer, moose and rabbit.
"Along with all the other expected fixings such as baked potatoes, vegetables, salads, that sort of thing," Prociuk said, adding that for those with a less adventurous palate, traditional meats such as beef, pork, and turkey will also be available. "You will not go away hungry, that's for certain."
Prociuk also noted that depending on what is donated, there may be an opportunity for people to taste game meats such as lynx, cougar or bear.
"I don't think anyone has shot a cat yet, but they are out there, the same with bear, and there is still time for hunters to get one and donate it to the dinner," Prociuk said, adding that bear is especially popular, as bear ham is a true delicacy.
"You take the (hindquarter) and smoke and cure it like a pork ham," Prociuk said.
He added that the odds of a hunter successfully shooting a bear or cougar should be higher than average, as both are plentiful in the region.
"I used to be a sheep farmer with a place just four miles outside of Barrhead, but I had to get out of it because cougars kept killing them," Prociuk said.
In addition to the meal, the association will present its annual trophy awards from all the antler scoring events, hold a silent auction, and a DJ will be playing music throughout the evening.
"It will just be a fun evening with good food, fellowship and entertainment," Prociuk said.
Barry Kerton, TownandCountryToday.com
