I just ate the most wonderful, juicy, tasty elk burger.

My neighbor brought over a little ground elk meat from his freezer a while back.

And yes, he killed it. Right there in the woods, with a muzzle loader tag. Did his butcher work amongst the stars and bears and packed the meat, his own little 25-year-old scrawny self, back 19 miles to the nearest road. He has scars on his back from where the belt he used was cutting into his skin, but he really wanted to get the heck out of bear country.

He's been at this sort of thing pretty much since he was a wee lad, and tells the most fantastic stories of sunrises falling on herds of super-sized elk, and him moving around to find the one he's going to eat this year. This one he had in his sights twice -- the first time, he says, he moved back and came around from a different direction, because the shot "was too easy." Spends a whole week in the back of beyond every year for this.

Anyhow. Provenance aside, I mixed in a little Lawry's seasoning salt and a little olive oil, and grilled the most wondrous tasty burgers I've had in my three decades on the planet. Properly dealt with, in time and on the spot, the meat wasn't "gamey" in the least. And I am joyful and thankful, both to beast and hunter.

Flame (broil) away. :)

i have a lot of respect for people like your friend

One bear or one accident and he could wind up in serious trouble. Best to bring a friend.

I was actually going to head out with him this year, armed with my camera, but at the last minute something else came up and I couldn't spare the time.

We did convince him to take a cell phone, which works sporadically out there, and a borrowed (from the sheriff) radio. He of course whined about weight, but agreed. :)

And if an unruly bear comes along I can always brain my brother with the absurd tripod he lugs around and escape. You see? Safety in numbers. :P

i'm not big on hunting -- but i do love ''wild game'' meat.

of ground elk some years ago. Absolutely delicious.
Imagine your grilled burgers were even better,

This fella was headed over to discuss the matter with you.