photo by Christian Harder

When you set off into the woods and fields and come home with dinner, something happens —— a shift in perspective, a change of pace, a particular closeness to nature and to ourselves. A day in the field can be challenging and rewarding all at once and for a multitude of reasons. We invite you to come along with us for a day, to walk the walk, and of course to share in the bounty at the dinner table.

For our family, many of our fondest memories happened in these fields. Starting at the age of 7, it was tagging along with Dad and Poppy on Thanksgiving day in the hills of Bloomville. It was setting out to Russell Hill at the age of 12 and proudly making turkey jerky that night. It was skipping school to sit in the woods from sun up to sundown. It was leaving the woods empty-handed some seasons, but with a renewed spirit. Now, it is feeding our family, plus some friends when we can, always careful to not take more than we need. With this in mind, we have only eight spots available to accompany us for an intimate day in the field.

Jake is a licensed NYS Hunting Guide and will take you along the paths and trails he sets out on each season, sharing knowledge, observations, ponderments, curiosities, tall hunting tales and local lore along the way. Please note that Jake will be the only one carrying and operating a shotgun on this hunt. If you have a hunting license and wish to bring your own firearm, discussion can be had and decisions made on a case by case basis. Pez is an eager and goofy bird dog, and he’ll lead the way.

LOGISTICS:
The Field Day will begin at 1:30p at the main house. We’ll ensure that you are equipped for a day in the field and provide a snack to ensure your hunger doesn’t strike mid-hunt. At 2 o’clock, we’ll depart through the back woods into 1,160 acres of protected public land. Through hill and dale, wood and field, you’ll learn about tracking, technique, and tradition. Keep your eyes peeled and your footing firm, and you just might bring yourself home some dinner. At 5 o’clock, we will head back to the house as the sun sinks to the horizon and we’ll toast to the day with a house beer. Together we will butcher and cook, pull up chairs at the dining table and relish in the day well spent. We’ll send you home with a belly full, a housemade stock, and an old family recipe or two.

Be prepared for rain or shine. Dress appropriately for hiking through thick prickly vegetation, soggy ground, and tick habitat. Orange vests will be provided to you.

Pricing is $400 per person for the hunt, butcher demonstration, cooking class and dinner with house beers. Guests may join you for only the dinner portion if they wish at 6:30p for $120 per person plus gratuity with three house beers included. We cannot accommodate dietary preferences or restrictions for this meal.

Email us at hello@bovinafarmfermentory.com to reserve with the number of members in your party joining the full day hunt + dinner, and the number of members in your party joining only for dinner, if any. Next, purchase your tickets via the reservation link that you receive from us — tickets are not secured until this is done! Tickets are non-refundable. If a date is sold out, please email us to join our waitlist.

Maybe you’ll find that secret chanterelle patch, catch a glimpse of tiny woodcocks embarking on their colossal migration, see the brightest red and orange leaves there in the middle of the autumn woods that you ever did see. A day in the field does not have a single mission, it is not appraised, and it is judged only by the quality of your time spent.

photos by William Hereford