This Snack Never Misses

Friends, as you can see in the above video, I'm something of a crack shot. Be it a bow & arrow, blackpowder musket, or my trusty tomahawk, I always hit what I'm aiming at. I’ve found there is a certain satisfaction that comes with sending something exactly where it belongs.

The same is true with snacking. When I set out to make my first batch of beef jerky, I aimed to create a flavorful snack made from the best available ingredients and the unmistakable taste of real wood smoke. And wouldn't you know, I hit another bullseye. But I’ve never been the sort to rest on my laurels, and as any marksman knows, once you’ve hit your mark, it’s hard to resist the urge to repeat the experience. So I kept going and created a whole lineup of jerky flavors for every possible adventurer. What can I say? I can’t seem to stop.

Aim Steady With Old Fashioned Beef Jerky

If I’m looking for a snack to steady my nerves and bring me back in touch with what’s real, the first thing I reach for is my old fashioned jerky. It never fails to bring up associations—or for me, actual memories—of roughing it on the trail, of food that has character with simple, robust flavors and the tenderest texture. If I’m sighting down my bow at an apple on the head of a mountain goat at 300 paces, this is the jerky I want to be chewing on at the time.

Peppered Jerky Classes Up the Snack Mix

Sometimes I want a delicious steak on the table, and sometimes I want it in my pocket and ready to eat at a moment’s notice. My peppered beef jerky makes that far-fetched fantasy a delicious reality. The cracked pepper rides alongside the smoke and gives each piece a complexity of flavor, and wakes up your senses without drowning out the hearty taste of tender beef.

Teriyaki: The Sweetest Meat Snack

When I invented my teriyaki jerky, I admit, I feared I might finally miss the mark. Beef jerky with a hint of sweetness and the complexity of teriyaki flavorings? It was unheard of at the time (no really, it was unheard of). But friends, you know by now that I landed that bullseye just like always. This jerky goes down easy and is the perfect reward after a day of expert marksmanship when you’re sitting around the fire and just savoring the sweetness of the day.

The Fires of Hot and Spicy Jerky

There was one memorable occasion when, while I had some promising jerky smoking over a low fire back at camp, I had ventured up a nearby ridgeline to plan my next day’s trek. On looking down at my camp, however, I was struck with horror at the sight of my fire completely burned out, and my sad, smokeless jerky deprived of its essential ingredient. Thinking quickly, I pulled out my bow, flint, and some nearby dried grass. The next moment, I shot a flaming arrow to reignite the embers of my fire, and saved the batch of jerky from a miserable, unsmoked end. That was the inspiration for my hot and spicy jerky, aimed at the risk-takers and the bold attempts. Some say it’s like putting out a fire arrow on your tongue, others say they like the gentle heat, and I say that no matter what, it’s delicious.

Snacks for the Short Sprint and the Long Haul

The thing I really shoot for in my beef jerky (aside from pure deliciousness) is the kind of convenience that true mountaineers and trail-cutters need. I package my meat snacks in easy-to-carry bags with a clear window so you can visualize how good your next snack break is going to be. That makes it easy to keep a stash wherever you need it: in your trail bag, your gym locker, or your nightstand. I don’t judge.

But sometimes, small, convenient amounts aren’t what you’re looking for. Rationing your beef jerky on the trail is almost always a step up from the worst-case scenario. When I need to line up a perfect shot, I know I’m going to require enough beef jerky to keep my arm strong and steady. That means only packing enough jerky to portion it out to the last scrap is never the best option. True marksmen know to stock up, and they reach for my bulk beef jerky options to keep shooting true.

Why I Stand by Every Cut

Folks sometimes ask me why all my different Old Trapper smoked snacks turn out so consistently amazing. I tell them it comes down to care and a willingness to do things the right way. I start with good beef and treat it with respect; I season it so the flavor complements the meat instead of covering it up; I give the smoking process the time it needs, because rushing never helps anyone. That’s the whole of it.

I also believe a person ought to have a choice. Not every palate is the same, and I’ve never seen the sense in forcing one flavor on everyone. That’s why I make sure there’s something for each kind of appetite, while keeping the quality steady across the board. When you open a bag, you should know exactly what you’re getting.

A Snack Bullseye Worth Sharing

After a long stretch outdoors or a quiet evening taking it easy, a good piece of jerky feels like a reward you’ve earned. That was the feeling I wanted to capture when I first took aim at my beef jerky recipe. I wanted something honest, something that held up out on the trail, and something that tasted like it had been made by a person who cared about the outcome. I worked at it until I got it right, and when I finally took that first bite, I knew I’d struck true.

I take pride in knowing that what I’ve made can fill that role. It’s simple food done right, and that’s all I ever set out to do. So if you're looking to hit your snack mark, look no further than Old Trapper Beef Jerky.