By JAMES BELL
Hays Post
You'll never know until you try — and for area residents this weekend, trying something new is literally on the menu.
At 3 p.m. Saturday at the Gobbler’s Roost cabin in Cedar Bluff State Park, dishes made with wild game will be enjoyed in a potluck style dinner during the 27th annual event.
“It’s more of an introduction to eating different kinds of cuisine,” said Steve Hausler, event organizer.
Hausler started the event with Rick Cunningham after moving to Hays to join the staff at the Hays Daily News in 1992.
“Basically, we invited a lot of friends that like to hunt and fish and have a chance to try out different wild game recipes,” said Hausler, longtime photo editor at the newspaper. “That’s the beginning of this event.”
From there, it grew as more people were invited to taste wild game
“Anyone from your average hunter and fisherman to dignitaries that have never even thought to try wild game come — and they enjoy it,” Hausler said.
Even those that are a little gunshy about eating wild game dishes can enjoy good conversation and company, he said.
The event is open to anyone, with attendees asked to bring a dish, even if it does not include wild game.
“We have always had this idea that we open it up to anyone that wants to come, and we have never turned anybody away,” Hausler said.
In previous years, that has included curious people at the park, intrigued by the signs the day of the event.
“We get a lot of takers, a lot of people that have never been to anything like that before and just thought it sounded like fun and they wanted to try it,” Hausler said. “We have had a lot of people that don’t generally hunt or fish, but have been curious and have attended our events over the years. Really that’s the whole idea — to try and introduce some of the recipes to people who don’t ordinarily eat wild game.”
Over the years, he recalls a variety of unique dishes – and ingredients — making their way to the table.
“I think on average we try to experiment with different types of game and different recipes,” Hausler said.
Standard Kansas game like deer, pheasant, quail, wild turkey, duck are common dishes, he said.
But sometimes the fare gets a little more exotic.
“We have had people bring alligator, elk, antelope, rattlesnake, bobcat and beaver,” he said.
Crawfish and a variety of local fish dishes have also been represented.
Over the years, he said enough recipes have been introduced that he believes he could write a cookbook with the unique recipes.
This year, Hausler plans to bring some dishes that live up to the exotic moniker.
One dish — a rattlesnake dip, with cream cheese and chives — is sure to be interesting enough to draw attention.
In this case, the meat came from a nuisance animal, which he helped secure.
“The neighbor had one in the garage, called us and said 'We need help,' ” Hausler said.
The trick to rattlesnake meat, he said, is boiling the meat, pulling it off the bone and dicing it.
He also plans to bring cold-smoked rainbow trout and fried bluegill fish tacos with pico de gallo.
Rounding out his dishes, he will prepare bacon-wrapped Dove poppers and, if time allows, pan-fried quail and pheasant on top of fettuccine and steamed veggies with a cream sauce.
“We get really elaborate with the recipes,” Hausler said. “But there is a lot of common staples at these events too. And, who knows? There will always be a surprise.”
With the ongoing pandemic, he is not sure what turnout will look like this year, but in previous years, up to 50 people have joined in the meal.
Hausler said during the event he does not want to enforce any requirements on visitors, but said they will be as cautious as possible, and understands if some choose not to attend.
“If this isn’t the year to come, let’s get past this virus and come next year,” he said. “I can tell you that it happens every year and we will continue to do it as long as I am kicking and, if this isn’t the year to come and enjoy it with us ... it happens in the fall of every year.
“Be my Facebook friend and you will find out about next year’s event,” Hausler said.
For those who make it this year or next, he said the people you meet might by surprising.
“You just never know who you are going to rub shoulders with at these events — from your average bricklayer to your family physician,” he said.
“Just come join us,” Hausler added. “Come on up, tell us you are new and we will basically show them around.”
