Modern hunters enjoy carrying a variety of energy snacks afield. Jerky, meat sticks, seeds, candy bars, Granola bars, and … Hunting burns a lot of calories, and it is important to keep their energy levels high, for the decisive moment. 

Native people carried dried and salted meat or jerky. They also made Pemmican. These energy cookies were made from pounded, dried meat, berries, seeds, and whatever was available. They were kept in a sack and could be eaten as a cookie or placed into a soup. Pemmican would stay edible for weeks and was easy to make and eat.

Hunters can also make a personal Pemmican style snack. There are so many modern ingredients that can be incorporated into a healthy energy food. Instead of making this snack into a flat cookie, roll them into balls. Use what ingredients that you are partial to and enjoy.

• NUTS    Dried Cashews, almonds, peanuts, macadamia nuts, or Brazil nuts work well. ¼ cup of each
• SEEDS    Chia seeds, dried pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds. 4 tbsp.
• BERRIES    Raisins, currants, dried cherries, or… 4 tbsp.
• Rolled Oats 1 cup.
• Prunes or Dates 2/3 cup
• Chocolate chips. Cinamon chips or… 1/3 cup
• Coconut oil ¼ cup
• Vanilla 1 tsp.
• Maple syrup ¼ cup
• Honey 1/8 cup

Place the nuts, berries, and seeds into a blender and chop for 8 seconds. Add the rest of the ingredients and mix for 3 ½-4 1/2 minutes. The blend should be dry and sticky, so that the mix will form and stay together.

Roll, squeeze, and compress the Balls. A golf Ball sized Ball is as big as I go. Place on wax paper and refrigerate for an hour or so. 

These Energy Balls are best stored in a plastic sack or container. A hard sided container keeps them from getting smashed. I have also fed these balls to my hunting dogs and horses. 

These Big Buck Balls of Energy will keep you on a roll. 

Montana Grant