I ate a Zebra (or at least part of one).

Within the wetter components of the Kalahari desert—among the many acacia and white shepherd timber—wander bands of the long-lasting zebra. For many, it’s a species solely met in zoos and described as a “horse in pajamas.” And this connection types a taboo concerning the line at which an equine turns into edible. However I ensure that to eat what I kill.

The best plains recreation

Namibia is the dream of Africa with its reaching views and unimaginable wildlife.  Its geodiversity stretches from famend sandy dunes into darkish jungles guided by darker rivers.  The plains zebra finds its house between these extremes. Burchell’s zebra have performed nicely and populations are managed by way of searching. Their distinguishing “shadow stripe” accents their contrasting magnificence. 

Regardless of their similarities to ranch horses, you would by no means mistake these wild beasts for domesticated horses. Each wild animal has a uniqueness in its elusion and flight, making its pursuit worthwhile.  Eyes and ears work exactly in unison to guard the zebra from practically any angle. Their fondness to mingle intently with their herd and sprint every time the notion takes them makes for a difficult hunt.  Many stalks ended with us pointing on the floor and muttering, “Properly, sooner or later there was a zebra there.”

By way of the acacia over 2 hundred yards away, one feminine caught our motion as we angled for a shot.  Turning instantly at us, she snorted an alert. Earlier than we might increase our glasses to see, all that was left was a cloud of crimson mud.  My profitable stalk was delivered to an finish as we tracked a herd touring with a handful of eland.  Every little thing that wanted to align for a shot did so, and moments later I positioned my fingers on her. 

When in Africa…

The next evening, zebra was on the menu.  It’s one thing of an area favourite and completely loved by all.  The stigma accompanying consuming horse in the USA doesn’t translate into African cultures.  Many occasions it might be served as the primary dish at celebrations and necessary occasions. Eating on zebra introduced honor to traditions and strengthened bonds between company.

I particularly regarded ahead to tasting the forbidden flesh of this new protein and reconnecting with it after the kill.  For each animal I’ve pursued, an immense satisfaction within the hunt has grown once I see it ready on a dinner desk.  Every little thing about being a hunter involves fullness with the primary chunk.  Zebra will not be one thing that may be discovered packaged and prepared; it must be discovered and overcome earlier than it may be served.  It’s a meat filled with objective and intention.

We gathered across the firepit for a form of braai and I watched as my skilled hunter introduced out a tray.  The recent coals flashed crimson as he sorted them underneath the grill.  Some he thinned earlier than putting the filet above them, the remaining he heaped for kebabs.  Zebra-two methods would give us flavors from the lightest contact of fireside to the blackened and charred. I swallowed an eagerness for dinner to start.  The acquainted aroma of roasting cuts mingled with the sounds of it scorching. 

Dinner didn’t disappoint

All through my hunts, I’ve been deliberate in my notes.  Beside recounting the hunts and the locations ventured, I’ve additionally recorded how these new animals carried out as desk fare.  The zebra filet occupied a full third of my plate, one other third for the kebabs, and the final open space for the greens. I silently puzzled what might have gone there as an alternative, making my plate zebra-three methods.  Applicable time had been given to each preparations to relaxation, however I might nonetheless see a delightful glistening telling me none of this might be dry.

I lower into the filet to examine the medium prepare dinner. Good. Too usually recreation is overcooked and something past a crimson middle destroys any likelihood at being loved.  As I started to chew, I waited for the off-putting “gamey” taste, but it surely by no means got here. The seasoning carried the sunshine smoke from the wooden and I loved what’s definitely one of many best meats a sportsman can know.  I didn’t want the knife to chop it, however I used it anyway to maintain etiquette.  It was lean however saved a sweetness akin to pronghorn (the type that’s handled nicely within the discipline all the way in which to the desk).  

I used to be a number of bites into the steak earlier than I remembered the skewers.  Good meals wants caramelization to convey out its finest notes, together with meat.  The identical flavors crammed my senses, however a brand new and refined earthiness lingered.  It was gentle and simply distinct sufficient to know that that is how zebra was alleged to style.  The delicate texture jogged my memory of a $200 wagyu ribeye I as soon as had in Las Vegas at a spot with a Michelin star. If I factored in all my prices for this journey, this one chunk may need been the identical worth, however little question it might have been price it. 

Everett Headley

Raised outside in Montana, Everett has an simple ardour for all issues searching (and angling) and serving to others uncover those self same experiences. His pursuits span the spectrum upland to large recreation, archery to muzzleloading. When he isn’t within the mountains, Everett is concerned in state conservation with Montana FWP as a council member engaged on training, entry, and landowner-sportsman dynamics. He enjoys waterfowling together with his Chesapeake Bay Retriever, Cane, and flying his peregrine falcon, Freyja. For the previous a number of years he has spent his time creating and instructing hunter teaching programs in addition to being a frequent visitor on podcasts, workshops, and occasions with a deal with searching ethics. You could find extra of his work at www.everettheadley.com and his platform at www.elevatethehunt.com.