John Myers
Nowadays you can buy venison all year round. Outside of the respective hunting season, however, the delicious meat is usually only available deep-frozen. The quality does not suffer as a result, but anyone who wants to prepare freshly killed deer, stag, rabbit, wild boar, or wild poultry should know the hunting season for the most common game species.
Roe deer: hunting season from mid-May to January
Venison is one of the most popular types of game meat, with peak season being around Christmas time. The loin and leg are particularly considered delicacies. The venison is characterized by a fine fiber structure, it is dark red in color and aromatic.
Deer/Red Deer: Hunting season from June to the end of January
In the case of red deer, the meat of younger animals up to a weight of 90 kilograms is particularly popular because the brown-red colored meat is very fine-fibered. The taste is stronger than that of roe deer, the game meat of male deer can take on a special taste of its own during the rutting season. Our recipe tip: Roast venison.
Wild boar/wild boar: hunting season from mid-June to late January, piglets: all year round
The meat of adult boars is considered inedible. Wild boar sows and young animals are considered a delicacy. If the game meat is marinated intensively, it has a very spicy taste and is extremely juicy.
Hare: hunting season from October to the end of January
Hares that are no more than eight months old give the best meat. Then the game meat changes from intense red to dark red. The already intense taste gets stronger with age.
Wild rabbits: hunting season from mid-June to late March
Wild rabbits are increasingly being replaced by farmed rabbits, whose meat is available all year round. Game meat differs significantly from hare in its slightly sweet taste. Both animals are often offered with their fur on request.
Wild duck: hunting season from September to mid-January
Wild duck meat is more muscular and has less fat than that of farm animals. The sex of the animals has no influence on the quality. However, the venison can be prepared in the same way: roasted whole or only breast or leg is served.
Pheasant: Hunting season from October to mid-January
The pheasant is typical wildfowl in the wintertime. Unlike many other game species, male pheasant meat is considered tastier than female. The meat of the younger animals is also particularly tender, while that of the older animals is mainly used to flavor broths and stocks.
