The Stories Behind the Dinners

About the Book

The authors have compiled an exciting, unique and informative book - actually two books in one for outdoor enthusiasts. If you desire to be swept up and totally immersed in second to second, on the edge of your seat, hunting, fishing and trapping adventures, experiencing every breathtaking, nail biting moment, you have found the place! If you desire to learn the secrets of enhancing the taste of the wild game, fish and game birds you harvest, you have also found the place! This book contains a combination of twenty-two North American photographed hunting, fishing and trapping adventure stories and over one hundred time tested recipes for wild game, fish and game birds. True hunting stories featuring everything from hunting the unique Arctic muskox to the interior of British Columbia black bears with attitudes. Calling in large Canadian rut crazed bull moose and tracking down the ferocious little Arctic grizzly bears and encounters with aggressive interior mountain grizzlies of British Columbia. Hunting the monstrous elusive desert mule deer of Mexico and the British Columbia mountain mulies. Trials and tribulations of hunting cliff dwelling mountain goats in spectacular landscapes to trudging after nomadic caribou herds in northern Quebec and the Northwest Territories. Hunting the charging, raging wild Russian boars of California and experiencing the serenity and tranquility of a Canadian trapline. Fishing for Columbia River sturgeon, Arctic char, huge lake trout, salmon, scrappy rainbow and brook trout, bottom feeding ling cod (burbot) and more. The recipes for moose, venison, black bear, wild boar, caribou, elk, grouse, ptarmigan, pheasant, fish, soups, salads and desserts are all here. It's all here - you will enjoy this book from cover to cover!

About the Author

From his earliest years, Ralph Maida loved the outdoors. He fished, hunted and as a young child, ran his own small trapline. Ralph was born and raised in Christina Lake, British Columbia (near the BC/Washington state border) to parents of Italian heritage from whom he inherited his love for fine cooking. Later in his youth, his parents owned and operated a restaurant where he worked in the summers. Judy Field (Maida) was born and raised in Armstrong, British Columbia in the Okanagan Valley on a cattle ranch. She acquired a love and passion for hunting and outdoor life inspired by her parents who were avid sportsmen. Ralph and Judy met in high school. Ralph graduated fro Notre Dame University; Nelson BC with a Bachelor of Arts degree while Judy pursued a singing career and graduated from a Business College. They were married in 1966 and raised five daughters. In the 70's Ralph returned to university at Eastern Washington State University, graduating with a Master of Science degree, majoring in Psychology. In 1980, he took a sabbatical leave from his job as a community college counselor at the College of New Caledonia in Prince George, BC and completed his Doctorate degree (PhD) at Oregon State University, Corvallis Oregon. The family lived in nearby Philomath, Oregon where the daughters attended school. Their basic, modest family life took an interesting turn when eldest daughter, Tami, attracted international media attention while playing high school tackle football (a female in a male dominated sport). A CBS movie for television "Quarterback Princess" was produced featuring Tami and the family (including some of their background in British Columbia's wilderness). The movie starred Helen Hunt ("As Good As It Gets," "Mad About You," "Twister") as Tami. The family then returned to their home in Prince George, BC, back to school and Ralph to his job at he college where he worked for thirty-three years until his retirement. He, Judy and the family operated their guide outfitting and trapping areas for twenty-six years. Ralph and Judy reside permanently in their hunting lodge on a pristine lake outside of Prince George. They continue to spend their time hunting, fishing and trapping. Hints of their lifetime events are scattered throughout the exciting stories and tasty recipes in the book. Continually asked to share their recipes and outdoor stories with others, they decided to include both in this delightful book.