As the 2025 New York State southern zone big game firearm season reaches its midpoint this weekend, with the regular season ending on Dec. 7, hunters across Western New York are swapping stories, comparing notes, and savoring the camaraderie that makes this time of year so special.

There’s nothing like whispering with your hunting buddy as the woods around you stir to life each morning. With our weather changes, you could be walking on crunchy, dried-up leaves or listening to each footstep crackle in frosted leaves underfoot. If you waited until daylight, you might be tracking the fresh trail of a single deer. Single deer tracks are usually bucks, so you walk slowly, very slowly. It’s exciting. You are ready and aware, hoping to see a deer ahead. Be ready, but always remember to check your target and behind it.

For many of us, the season isn’t just about filling a tag; it’s about those crisp mornings in the woods, friendly competition with hunting partners, and the promise of a warm meal shared with friends and family once the gear is hung up for the day. At a local restaurant or at hunting camp, the stories abound, and that part of hunting is so special. So many memories are made for a lifetime at dinnertime with hunting friends.

If you were lucky enough to have already added some venison to your freezer, there is no time like now to celebrate the harvest. Here is a hearty, palate-pleasing recipe to make the most of your wild game.

Crock-pot stew is tasty and simple to make. See the story for the recipe. Photo by Forrest Fisher

My better half, Fern, especially enjoys the slow-cooker (crock pot) venison dinner meal. Ingredients include a 2-3 lb venison roast, one packet onion soup mix, one can cream of mushroom soup, one cup beef broth, four large carrots — chopped, four large potatoes — cubed, one large onion — sliced thick, one tablespoon minced garlic, and salt/pepper to taste. The recipe is flexible-you can leave the meat whole or cut it into 1-inch chunks, then season with salt and pepper.

It’s perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a hearty meal after a day in the woods. Place the vegetables at the bottom of a slow cooker, then lay the roast or chunks on top. Combine the soup mix, cream of mushroom soup, and beef broth, and pour over the meat. Set the slow cooker to low for 8-9 hours, or high for 4 hours. I think it’s more tender and tastes better when cooked overnight on low. I usually make this a few times a year, taking it to work to introduce others to the taste of venison, or making it for a special family occasion. It’s excellent for a hunt camp meal if you have electricity to start the slow cooker in the morning before heading out. YUM. If there’s no electric power, you can have an old whitebeard with crinkly knees stay back with the iron kettle on the wood stove and simmer it that way. I usually volunteer!

Most hunters know that naturally organic venison is low in fat and high in protein, making it a healthy choice. It’s also an excellent source of micronutrients like iron (heme iron, which is easily absorbed by our bodies), zinc, and B-vitamins (especially B12 and niacin – these nutrients support energy, metabolism, and immune function). Wild deer browse natural forage such as acorns, beechnuts, apples, and grasses. Venison is free from hormones, additives, and antibiotics. Healthy YUM. The practice of field-to-table reduces reliance on industrial food supplies and fosters local food culture. The taste of the meal brings the hours of finger-numbing cold in the stand into full view. You already know, I gotta do this again.

Gotta love the outdoors.

Outdoors Calendar

Nov. 15 – Dec. 7: NYS Southern Zone Regular (firearms) Southern Zone Big Game hunting season.

Nov. 25: Children in the Stream, Youth Fly Fishing program, free, Costello Room, Rockefeller Art Center, SUNY Fredonia, 7-8:30 p.m., 12 yrs old and older, info: 716-410-7003 (Alberto Rey).

Dec. 8 – 16: NYS Southern Zone Late Archery/Muzzleloader Big Game hunting season.

Dec. 26-Jan. 1: NYS Southern Zone late archery/crossbow/muzzleloader special deer-only season. Regular firearms are not allowed.