A taste on the wild side – Wild game cookout in Jamieson draws hundreds

It appears deep-fried rattlesnake and deer meat are fan favorites at the Across the Track Hunting Club’s annual Wild Game Cookout.

This year the cookout was held in the Gadsden County community of Jameison, in Roger and Denise Lewis’ backyard, where members of the club gathered for their annual party on Saturday, November 12.

Many pulled up to the event, held each fall, laughing and smiling, carrying coolers and sports chairs.

It gave people the chance to wild eat meats they probably would have never tried, otherwise.

The menu included deep-fried rattlesnake, wild turkey, wild boar, opossum, deer, squirrel, and there was talk of bringing out the bear meat.

The Across the Track Hunting club has been in existence as an organized group for almost 30 years.

While the members of the club invite people to join the party, they also educate them about eating off the land and not being wasteful.

Just about any parts of the animals that are consumable were cooked and served that day in a variety of ways.

The annual cookout, which was an all-day event for all ages, didn’t just attract people from Gadsden County - some traveled from South Georgia and other parts of North Florida for the event.

The cookout began Saturday morning.

One of the first dishes served as an appetizer was James McBride’s famous cowboy soup – a tomato-based dish made with fresh vegetables and ground deer meat.

For those who didn’t want wild game fried chick and fish was served, along with an array of side dishes such as deep-fried corn, collard greens, cabbage, and rice, not to mention slices of homemade red velvet and pound cake for dessert.

Chad Youmans and his daughter Monet Youmans drew a crowd when they began skinning rattlesnakes later in the afternoon.

The Youmans said the snakes were caught throughout North Florida.

To skin the snakes, Chad made one slit on the snakes that were beheaded in advance and Monet slowly pulled the skin off.

Once the internal organs were removed, Youmans soaked the meat in seasoned milk.

“If it bites itself then it’s no good,” Chad said of the rattlesnake.

After soaking, the meat was chopped into bite-sized pieces, floured and deep fried.

Of all the dishes cooked that day, the fried rattlesnake was probably the most aromatic of them all.

Throughout the day, many partygoers danced to tunes played by a DJ, a live band and soulful country and blues songs sung by Gadsden County’s own recording artist Sheila B. Sexi.

Although a first time for some, the cookout was like a family reunion for most, especially the members of the hunting club and their loved ones.

Erin Hill - erin@gadsdencountytimes.com

Leroy Herring stirs pork crackling as it fries in a cast iron pot.

Frank Johnson dresses a wild hog with vegetables before it’s sliced and served.

Monet Youmans fries up the much-anticipated rattlesnake.

The Wild Game Cookout is a family affair. Robert Baker saves pork belly and rice to his relative Jaketa Lee and her daughter.

Roger Lewis, Jr. fries corn provided by Bob Cobb in a cast iron pot.

Gerthart Lewis serves baked alligator.

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A taste on the wild side – Wild game cookout in Jamieson draws hundreds

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Order in the Teen Court – Sheriff’s Office relaunches juvenile courtroom program

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