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 enduring zebra. For many, it’s a species solely met in zoos and described as a “horse in pajamas.” And this connection varieties a taboo concerning the line at which an equine turns into edible. However I ensure to eat what I kill.

The best plains sport

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

Regardless of their similarities to ranch horses, you possibly can 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 almost any angle. Their fondness to mingle intently with their herd and sprint at any time when the notion takes them makes for a difficult hunt.  Many stalks ended with us pointing on the floor and muttering, “Properly, in some unspecified time in the future there was a zebra there.”

By way of the acacia over 200 yards away, one feminine caught our motion as we angled for a shot.  Turning immediately at us, she snorted an alert. Earlier than we might increase our glasses to see, all that was left was a cloud of pink mud.  My profitable stalk was dropped at an finish as we tracked a herd touring with a handful of eland.  The whole lot that wanted to align for a shot did so, and moments later I positioned my arms on her. 

When in Africa…

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

I particularly seemed 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 after I see it ready on a dinner desk.  The whole lot about being a hunter involves fullness with the primary chunk.  Zebra shouldn’t 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 stuffed with objective and intention.

We gathered across the firepit for a kind of braai and I watched as my skilled hunter introduced out a tray.  The recent coals flashed pink as he sorted them underneath the grill.  Some he thinned earlier than putting the filet above them, the remainder 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 questioned what might have gone there as a substitute, making my plate zebra-three methods.  Acceptable time had been given to each preparations to relaxation, however I might nonetheless see a lovely glistening telling me none of this is able to be dry.

I minimize into the filet to examine the medium prepare dinner. Good. Too usually sport is overcooked and something past a pink middle destroys any likelihood at being loved.  As I started to chew, I waited for the off-putting “gamey” taste, however it by no means got here. The seasoning carried the sunshine smoke from the wooden and I loved what’s actually 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 sort that’s handled effectively within the area all the way in which to the desk).  

I used to be just a few bites into the steak earlier than I remembered the skewers.  Good meals wants caramelization to carry out its finest notes, together with meat.  The identical flavors stuffed my senses, however a brand new and delicate earthiness lingered.  It was mild and simply distinct sufficient to know that that is how zebra was imagined to style.  The mushy 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 might need been the identical value, however little question it might have been value it. 

Everett Headley

Raised open air in Montana, Everett has an plain ardour for all issues looking (and angling) and serving to others uncover those self same experiences. His pursuits span the spectrum upland to large sport, 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 schooling, entry, and landowner-sportsman dynamics. He enjoys waterfowling along 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 give attention to looking ethics. Yow will discover extra of his work at www.everettheadley.com and his platform at www.elevatethehunt.com.