Game meat refers to the meat from any land animal that is hunted for food, and is not typically raised on farms. There are thousands of animals that can be killed and used for meat. In North America, some of the most common types of game meat include deer, rabbit, and duck. Because this type of meat comes from wild animals who hunt and forage for their food, it is typically richer in flavor and leaner in fat than meat from domesticated animals like cows and chickens.
Game meat is commonly eaten by hunters and their families. When a hunter kills a deer, the meat from the animal can make a large quantity of steaks, roasts, sausages, and other cuts. Typically, the carcass is taken to a local butcher for processing into edible cuts of meat, which can then be stored in a deep freeze for up to a year without loss in quality.
Recently, this type of meat has risen in popularity among consumers as well, due to its delicious flavor and low fat content. Venison, which refers to meat from deer, can be bought through mail order shops and in numerous stores around the United States. Bison, or buffalo, meat is also rising in popularity; today, it is possible to purchase bison steaks or burgers at most grocery stores, and to order bison dishes at many restaurants around the country.
There is no real difference in cooking methods between game meat and domesticated meat. However, because of the lower fat content, game meat may occasionally be tougher, and so it can be helpful to slow cook the meat over a low temperature to tenderize it in certain cases. Because of their bold flavor, both venison and bison steaks are delicious served with a strong red wine, or even with a red wine sauce.
Other types of game meat available in the United States include wild boar, moose, elk, and ostrich. In Australia, kangaroo meat is common. In Africa, this type of food is known as "bushmeat," and refers to animals including the antelope, wildebeest, and zebra.