Make use of natural resources

**suki** · 06-17-2008, 01:31 PM

I live in an area known for our fishing. We have 3 rivers and 2 lakes. One of the rivers is stocked with trout (White River) from our local hatchery. Aside from the cost of bait and a fishing license, catching your daily limit is free.

Not many people like trout. I've learned that over the years. As a result, we are offered trout on a regular basis.

I don't care for it fried, but prefer it wrapped in aluminum foil, stuffed and placed on a slow grill. However, recently, I learned that I love it smoked. It is very tasty. And, bonus, you can freeze the smoked trout and it'll take up less room than raw trout and will last a while if the power goes out.

So, I'll be picking up a fishing license and trying to catch my own rather than wait for the give-aways. This natural resource is a great way to stretch the budget.

I know there are others... what "free" things are available for the taking and provided by nature?

**Dancing Lotus** · 06-17-2008, 01:39 PM

All sea food is a given around my area. And in December citrus is not only given away but many people actually throw away barrels of it. At my parents, I can get mango's, grapefruit,bananas, oranges. Yes most of them are in peoples yards but most of the time they are more then happy to give it to you.

**suki** · 06-17-2008, 01:49 PM

Jealous here.

**Russ** · 06-17-2008, 01:55 PM

my own stocked pond. Initially stocked by me, but we have breeding fish now.

**suki** · 06-17-2008, 01:59 PM

What kind of fish do you have in your pond, russ?

**suki** · 06-17-2008, 02:02 PM

I just called the neighbors up the road. On their fenceline are a bunch of blackberry brambles and this year they are just covered in green berries. These are really old. They've been there my whole life and the area where they are located was an old homestead... you can tell by the old roses, daffodils and the pieces of foundation. Anyway, they told me to help myself when they are ready, they won't be picking them this year.

Yippee...

And, I have my eye on the wild plum grove just up the hill from my house (on our land).

I should be able to make good jams and jellies this year with the wild fruits, gleaned from our forest.

**Russ** · 06-17-2008, 02:05 PM

Originally Posted by suki

What kind of fish do you have in your pond, russ?

Bass, catfish and bluegill. Must admit, the first bass I ever ate came out of my own pond. I've always been catch and release when fishing for bass.

**shoiji** · 06-17-2008, 02:26 PM

There is a blackberry bush near me. Although I do feel silly standing there picking blackberries and having cars fly by.

**Moor** · 06-17-2008, 02:33 PM

we have grapes that grow over our fence. while we don't eat the grapes, i do use the vines to make things with.

**suki** · 06-17-2008, 02:46 PM

Oh, don't feel silly, just think of the yummy jam or cobbler you can make.

Moor, we have a lot of wild grapes in our forest. We call them possum grapes. I understand they make a decent jelly, but I've never tried it. I've never made anything from them either... hmmm.

**annymoll** · 06-17-2008, 05:47 PM

I like blackberries(but not seed ticks and chiggers,Ha Ha)I pick them with my sister and we talk and have a good time.I like poke, mushrooms, fish, and walnuts.We have several cherry trees, peach trees, two pears. We did have an apple tree but lightening killed it. Our neighbor has apples.She helps me pick them. My FIL uses some of the cherries for home made wine.We get crappie from our neighbors as they do not like it. They fillet it for us.It sure helps the budget, and the food is good.

**DonnainME** · 06-17-2008, 06:59 PM

I don't like to eat jams or jellies.

DH does so maybe I should learn to make them.

**baxjul** · 06-17-2008, 07:04 PM

Orange and lemon trees! My dh fishes every weekend here, so we always have seafood.

**angelbumpkin** · 06-17-2008, 07:07 PM

We have many orange trees and 2 banana in our yard. We have a few friends with papya so we trade and share.

**rachelMcK** · 06-18-2008, 09:59 AM

We do this alot actually. I personally don't eat the fish, but when DH catches one, we filet it, batter it and fry it, he eats the fix, i eat a little extra of the sidedishes prepared with it. DH also hunts, so we usually have venison. I don't really like venison either so I'm trying to get him to try moose hunting this year (love moose meat!). Also, we get crab apples from my inlaws trees, we'll go hunting for berries when they are in season (though once we found a bear, not so fun...lol). Fiddleheads in the spring, morales (sp?)as well (they're weird mushroom things), wild asparagus and rhubarb. We used to do this all the time growing up, as we both lived in a very small town in North Ontario. Now we live in the city so its harder, but we'll do a bit of this when we visit our parents.