My dad (pictured above) grew up in the Northwoods and started hunting as a teenager. I know he got his deer quite often back in the day, but by the time I was around and paying attention, he was not exactly the Great White Hunter.
In fact, he only bagged a deer once that I can remember. What I do recall very clearly is the elaborate process he undertook to get ready for hunting. This not only included sighting in his gun, he had to get all the blaze orange clothing ready, buy ammunition, and stock up on food to enjoy while he was out in the woods.
I was a little annoyed that he always bought Hershey's Chocolate bars with him "for energy" but did not share them with me. But I was all too happy to not try something else that was part of his hunting menu: head cheese sandwiches.
Now "head cheese" looks like a bunch of spare animal parts held together by gelatinous goo, and what it really is doesn't differ much from that description.
From wikipedia: "Head cheese is not a cheese, but a meat jelly made with flesh from the head of a calf or pig, sometimes a sheep or cow. and often set in aspic. Which parts of the head are used can vary, but the brain, eyes, and ears are usually removed. The tongue, and sometimes even the feet and heart may be included."
I'm not sure if he ate that to bring out his inner warrior, or just to make venison seem tasty in comparison.
All I know is that Head Cheese Sandwich would make a great name for a band.
