I often see it written that deer meat is the most expensive food per pound that you can buy. I understand that it is meant in jest as we hunters spend a lot of money on stuff and often are not successful in bringing home meat. Of course most of us do this for intangibles that we can't figure into the equations.

I consider myself frugal and hunt to fill my freezer. I pay a great deal of attention to hunting expenses. Here is an example from yesterday's hunt.

My brother and I hunted in Parke County. We were a little late in getting set up about 10 minutes after first legal light. No matter though as a deer showed up 10 minutes later and I killed it with a double lung shot that just grazed the front of the off side intestines and tainted the insides. It turned out to be a button buck. I weighed the pieces. Here are the results:

10# of offal (does not include bowel and stomach contents)

32# bones and hide (rib meat and tenderloins were not recoverable and are included here, This also includes a bit of fat trimmed from the meat).

30# boneless meat.

Total weight 72#.

Of the boneless meat, 18# were steaks and roasts.

Assuming average beef price of $5 for good cuts and $3 for ground or stew meat, the deer is worth $126.

My expenses for yesterday included 4 gallons of gas at $14 (I drive a Toyota Corolla at 37 mpg) and one slug at $1. Grand total is $15.

Net value of yesterday's hunt to my freezer is $111.

The glory of spending a day in the woods, hanging with my brother, and providing for my family are worth the expenses alone. The meat is a bonus. But a tasty one

Thanks be to God. Happy Thanksgiving to you all!