If filling the freezer was our only reason for hunting, we'd probably be far better off to just join the masses at the local grocery store. Chances are we'd save a lot of time, effort, and money. The masses prefer that others do their killing for them. And that's okay. It's their choice. But it's different for us.

We prefer to accept that responsibility ourselves. For the vast majority of us, however, the primary reasons we choose to hunt down our own venison include the preparation for the hunt, the challenge, the thrill, the camaraderie of camp, and all those experiences that encompass this thing we call bowhunting.

The venison? It's a huge bonus for our efforts, and for some hunters it is far more important than antlers and skins. That meat is something that should be valued by all hunters. It is expected by the nonhunters among us. They want to understand hunting, and knowing we value the animals we kill for food helps them comprehend what it is we do.

Making the most of your venison can be taken to whatever level you desire. Some prefer the simple approach -- taking their deer to a processor and enjoying their venison in a natural state. Others do their own processing and savor the complex recipes. For some, the annual sausage-making fests are as much fun as the hunt itself!

To broaden your venison cookery skills, here are some products that can help make your deer, elk, moose, or antelope an even more cherished part of the hunt.

PROCESSING
Of course, it all starts with proper field care of your animal. It's crucial to get the meat cooled as quickly as possible and to keep it cool and free of dirt and bugs.

Taking your animal to a commercial processor is the easiest way to get your meat out of sight and mind after a long hunt. However, having someone else process your animal has become very expensive. Self-processing can be lots of fun, and you always know whose meat you're working with and how it's being handled. That's important to many hunters.

To start, you'll need the most basic of tools -- knives and saws. Outdoor Edge's Butcher-Lite kit includes several skinning, caping and boning knives, a saw, rib cage spreader, and a tungsten-carbide sharpener. This kit weighs only 2.4 lbs. and will get you started in the field and even take you right through your processing. Outdoor Edge also has a full-blown Game Processor Kit that includes a cutting board, shears, and hard case.

If you can't find what you're looking for as far as saws, grinders, sausage stuffers, and other tools in the Cabela's catalog, something is wrong. They have a wide selection of products that can help you make whole cuts of venison, burger, sausage, and jerky.