The 2018 Men and Boys Wild Game Supper took place Jan. 29 at the California First Baptist Church. The event, sponsored by the Concord Baptist Association Outreach Council, has been held in this area since 1969.
According to Paul Branstetter, retired director of Concord Baptist Association, similar events were popular in southern Missouri, where he served the Christian community. Since this is a hunting area, he thought it would be a good fit for Moniteau County. Since it is nearing a life of 50 years, he apparently was correct.
Everyone in attendance was asked to bring a large, covered dish, either "game or tame." The recommendation is each dish should be labeled with what kind of meat it contained.
Although venison appeared to be predominant, turkey, pork and chicken were prominent. Some of the less common dishes were rabbit and squirrel. But there was even a dish featuring beaver meat.
Following a prayer, the several hundred people present selected portions from the dishes they wanted to try. The mood was happy, as they found the different dishes tasty, and then went to the back room to choose from a variety of desserts.
Mike Roux, of Mike Roux Outdoor Enterprises, spoke on a topic appropriate for the occasion - "A Taste of Africa." Hanging on the wall were mounts from three animals he took while on Safari in South Africa - a kudu, a gymsbuk and an impala. He spoke of how he came to make visits to Africa and of making his Christian ministry a major part of his visits.
In addition to his other outdoor interests, Roux is director of Outdoor Ministry for The Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He has had his own outdoor ministry for more than 25 years.
Roux has been on the professional side of "the outdoor industry" for more than 35 years and has served on the professional staff for several outdoor manufacturers.
He currently serves as director of the Pro Hunting Staff for Mountain Screamer Game Calls from southeast Missouri. He writes weekly outdoor columns, which appear in 12 newspapers, and regular columns in four monthly outdoor periodicals. He also has published two books.