Free Classes to Transform Deer Fat into Useful Products
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Calling all deer hunters! This winter, you have the perfect opportunity to make the most of your harvest and learn some impressive skills at the same time. The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) is inviting you to save the fat from your deer kills and turn it into useful products during free classes happening this February. It’s time to roll up your sleeves, get creative, and maybe even have a little fun!
Rainy Days Ahead
Before we dive into the exciting classes, let’s take a quick look at what’s in store weather-wise. Expect some rain showers early in the day with the skies becoming overcast as the afternoon progresses. The high for today is a brisk 57°F, coupled with gentle winds coming from the North-Northeast at around 5 to 10 mph. As we move into the night, the cloud cover will thicken, and there’s a solid 90% chance of rain after midnight, dipping the temperature down to a low of 51°F. Don’t forget your umbrellas!
Deer Fat: More Than Just a Byproduct
Now back to those classes! Did you know that deer fat can be rendered into a substance called tallow? This isn’t just any fat – tallow can be used to create all sorts of products, like heel balm, candles, and firestarters. Ginger Miller, an MDC Conservation Educator, encourages hunters to collect and save deer fat for these engaging sessions, saying, “There are many ways to use more of your harvest game animals.” So why let that fat go to waste when it can be transformed into valuable items?
Details on the Classes
The MDC will be holding multiple sessions throughout Kansas City and the Northwest regions to teach folks how to create these useful products. Here’s a quick rundown:
- February 3rd: 1:30 PM – 3 PM at Remington Nature Center, St. Joseph. Register here.
- February 3rd: 6 PM – 7:30 PM at Litton Ag Center, Chillicothe. Register here.
- February 4th: 10:30 AM – 12 PM at Lake City Shooting Range, Buckner. Register here.
- February 4th: 1:30 PM – 3 PM at Lake City Shooting Range, Buckner. Register here.
- February 5th: 9 AM – 10:30 AM at Clinton MDC office. Register here.
- February 5th: 3 PM – 4:30 PM at El Dorado Springs MDC office. Register here.
Ready to Roll Up Your Sleeves?
If you’re planning to join in on the fun, MDC advises wearing some old clothes you don’t mind getting a bit messy! It’s also a good idea to bring along rubber gloves and a washable apron to keep things neat. Participants will work with hard, waxy fat from around the back of the deer and the kidneys, so the soft fat around the meat won’t be used.
At the end of the classes, you won’t just walk away with newfound knowledge; you’ll also take home samples of the heel balm, a candle, and a firestarter you created yourself! How cool is that?
Wrap Up
If you have any questions or need more info about the classes, feel free to reach out to Ginger Miller at Ginger.Miller@mdc.mo.gov. This initiative aims to help Missouri residents maximize their deer harvests while having a great time creating something truly useful. So get ready, gather that deer fat, and get signed up for these fun classes. Bring your friends and family along; it’s bound to be a memorable experience!
