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DINNER FIT FOR A KING
By: Ron Wilson
September 18, 2003....
When I was first asked to join the Central Valley Chapter of Safari Club
International
(SCI), My first thought was, “I don’t hunt exotic animals so what business
do I have belonging to an organization such as SCI.”
However with their
charitable donations to the local Take A Kid Fishing program I felt that I
owed them a good once over to see what the local chapter was all about.
Boy was I in for a
surprise, yes a lot of them were very well healed but I soon found out
that they were just like me in many ways, “they also put there pants on
one leg at a time!”
The ladies and gentlemen in the club were very friendly, and while several
members were big game safari hunters, a good percentage were just like me.
They loved the outdoors and hunting in the good old US of A!
I
soon found out they held fundraisers, club dinners, socials and hunts. The
club holds special hunts for valley ladies and youngsters each year.
One of the best events is the annual game feed for the members. I have
been fortunate enough to taste meats at these events that I will never be
able to afford to hunt for myself.
I
attended their annual game feed again this year, which is held at the
Oakdale Sportsmen’s Club, this past Tuesday.
 Tender
deer chops, elk roast, smoked pig, several types of wild meat enchiladas,
pheasant soup, trout on the grill along with smoked salmon, trout and
kokanee and some great salads and deserts. This was a meal fit for a king.
The best part of the event is outside at the BBQ pit. Someone has to check
and see how the meat is doing and there is nothing better than tasting it
hot off the grill.
Dan and Christine Kistler brought along their own stove so they could cook
abalone strips for the early arrivals.
Talk about some good eating! If you were one of the late arrivals, you
missed some mighty fine snacking, Dan did an excellent job. Abalone can be
rubbery if it isn’t cooked right, but Dan had his strips surprisingly
tender and finger licking good. Of course I had to eat half dozen strips
just to make sure they were OK!
There also were several types of salsa to try. Tom Brennan out did himself
again; he came up with another winner, believe it or not this one had
pineapple in it!
This is not a money event, the club just hopes to get enough donations
from the participants to pay for the rent on the hall. The members get
their kicks by donating and preparing the wild game dishes.
Any cook worth his or her salt just loves to hear someone sa y,
“Boy this sure tastes great”. It makes all the hard work in preparing the
different foods worth the effort!
Good food, a little bubbly from Rossini all equals another exotic filled
event.
Mark Vejar was this year’s entertainment chairman, and with his wife
Laura’s help they did another bang up job for the committee.
In the few years that I have been a member of the club the wild game feeds
have been for members and a guest or two.
Hopefully next year we can get the board to open the dinner up so more of
our friends can enjoy this event!
Safari Club International is a great organization that cares about our
hunting rights and our hunting heritage.
If you would like to learn more about the Central Valley Chapter of SCI
call president Kurt Huhn, (209) 847-6572. |
