Game (hunting)

Gameorquarryis anywild animalhuntedforanimal products(primarilymeat), forrecreation("sporting"), or fortrophies.The species of animals hunted as game varies in different parts of the world and by different local jurisdictions, though most areterrestrialmammalsandbirds.Fishcaught non-commercially(recreational fishing) are also referred to asgame fish.
The range of animalspecieshunted by humans varies in different parts of the world. This is influenced byclimate,faunaldiversity,popular tasteand locally accepted views about what can or cannot be legitimately hunted. Sometimes a distinction is also made between varieties and breeds of a particular animal, such aswild turkeyanddomestic turkey. The flesh of the animal, when butchered for consumption, is often described as having a "gamey" flavour. This difference in taste can be attributed to the natural diet of the animal, which usually results in a lowerfat contentcompared to domestic farm-raised animals.
In some countries, game is classified, includinglegalclassifications with respect tolicensesrequired, as either "small game" or "large game". A single small game licence may cover all small game species and be subject to yearlybag limits. Large game are often subject to individual licensing where a separate permit is required for each individual animal taken (tags).
In some parts ofAfrica, wild animals hunted for their meat are calledbushmeat; see that article for more detailed information on how this operates within the economy (for personal consumption and for money) and the law (includingoverexploitationand illegal imports). Animals hunted for bushmeat include, but are not limited to:
Some of these animals are endangered or otherwise protected, and thus it is illegal to hunt them.
In Africa, animals hunted for their pelts orivoryare sometimes referred to asbig game.
Also see the legal definition of game inEswatini.
South Africais a famous destination for game hunting, with its largebiodiversityand therefore impressive variety of game species. Many creatures have returned to former areas from which they were once taken as a result of being killed forbig-game hunting. Commonly hunted species include:
South Africa also has 62 species of gamebirds, includingguineafowl,francolin,partridge,quail,sandgrouse,duck,geese,snipe,bustardandkorhaan. Some of these species are no longer hunted, and of the 44indigenousgamebirds that can potentially be utilised in South Africa, only three, namely theyellow-throated sandgrouse,Delegorgue's pigeonand theAfrican pygmy goosewarrant special protection. Of the remaining 41 species, 24 have shown an increase in numbers and distribution range in the last 25 years or so. The status of 14 species appears unchanged, with insufficient information being available for the remaining three species. The gamebirds of South Africa where the population status in 2005 was secure or growing are listed below:
InAustralia, game includes:
Game inNew Zealandincludes:
In theUnited StatesandCanada,white-tailed deerare the most commonly hunted big game. Other game species include:
In the PRC there is a specialcuisinecategory calledye wei, which includes animals in the wild.
In theUKgame is defined inlawby theGame Act 1831(1 & 2 Will. 4. c. 32). It is illegal to shoot game on Sundays or at night. Other non-game birds that are hunted for food in the UK are specified under theWildlife and Countryside Act 1981. UK law defines game as including:
Deerare not included in the definition, but similar controls provided to those in the Game Act apply to deer (from theDeer Act 1991). Deer hunted in the UK are:
Other animals which are hunted in the UK include:
Capercaillieare not currently hunted in theUKbecause of a recent decline in numbers and conservation projects towards their recovery. The ban is generally considered voluntary on private lands, and few birds live away fromRSPBorForestry Commissionland allegedly.
InIcelandgame includes:
Game inNorway,Sweden,DenmarkandFinlandincludes:
InPoland, legal game includes:Big game
Small game
Game meat is typically taken from a wild animal that has been shot with agunorbow. Hunters must be absolutely certain of their target before shooting and should make every effort to get the animal down as quickly and painlessly as possible. Once obtained, game meat must be processed to avoid spoiling. The method of processing varies by game species and size. Small game and fowl may simply be carried home to bebutchered. Large game such as deer is quicklyfield-dressedby removing theviscerain the field, while very large animals like moose may be partially butchered in the field because of the difficulty of removing them intact from their habitat. Commercial processors often handle deer taken during deer seasons, sometimes even at supermarket meat counters. Otherwise the hunter handles butchering. The carcass is kept cool to minimize spoilage.
Traditionally, game meat washunguntil "high" or "gamey", that is, approaching a state ofdecomposition.However, this adds to the risk of contamination. Small game can be processed essentially intact, after gutting and skinning or defeathering (by species). Small animals are ready for cooking, although they may be disjointed first. Large game must be processed by techniques commonly practiced by commercial butchers.
Generally game is cooked in the same ways as farmed meat.Because some game meat is leaner than store-bought beef, overcooking is a common mishap which can be avoided if properly prepared.It is sometimesgrilledor cooked longer or byslow cookingor moist-heat methods to make it more tender, since some game tends to be tougher than farm-raised meat. Other methods of tenderizing includemarinatingas in the dishHasenpfeffer, cooking in agame pieor as a stew such asburgoo.
TheNorwegian Food Safety Authorityconsiders that children, pregnant women, fertile-aged women, and people with highblood pressureshould not consume game shot withlead-based ammunition more than once a month. Children who often eat such game might develop a slightly lower IQ, as lead influences the development of thecentral nervous system.This can be avoided by hunting with arrows or copper bullets.