If you live anywhere near a hunter or hunting area, then chances are you are going to get some deer meat. There are some great, easy recipes besides the old, tried and true-deer chili, deer stew, deer roast with vegetables, deer stroganoff, grilled venison tenderloins or chicken fried deer steaks with gravy and mashed potatoes.

Deer Jerky

You aren't a true deer connoisseur unless you have tried to make your own deer jerky. You don't have to have a dehydrator; you can use your oven, set on 200-250, with a hot pad stuck in the oven door to let the moist air out. It can take anywhere from 5-10 hours, depending on how chewy you want it. You can use the meat from the ribs, the flank steaks and the scrap meat that doesn't end up ground in hamburger or sausage for this. Keep in mind that the meat you start with, ends up about a half or two thirds less after drying. Marinate ¼ inch strips and pieces overnight, in some liquid smoke, Tabasco sauce, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, a little seasoning salt, garlic powder and onion powder. Next day, spread meat on wire rack, foil underneath and put in oven until done, 5-10 hours.

An easy appetizer is Venison Cherry Spread

1 pkg. of softened cream cheese, ¼ to ½ cup of dried or fresh crushed cherries or pie filing and leftover cooked venison, roast or ground, (and a few red pepper flakes if desired for heat) and spread on crackers.

Venison Roll-ups are another easy appetizer

Simply slice steaks with the grain to make thin breakfast steaks. Roll around two or three asparagus or green onions, or one of each and secure with a moistened toothpick and throw on the grill until the meat turns brown.

Venison Roast Pizza is an easy leftover meal

Get a cooked, prepared pizza dough, or use a loaf of flatbread or French bread, split. Mix 1 pkg. of softened cream cheese with a tablespoon each of: horseradish sauce, ranch dressing, Italian dressing and spread on pizza dough or bread. Top with leftover venison roast or cooked ground venison, onions, pepper, olives or mushrooms, as desired, top with Italian blend or mozzarella cheese, bake at 350 until golden brown and cheese melts.

Crescent roll Venison Lasagna pie

Take 2 rolls of crescents and open on a pizza pan or (large round baking pan), spread with tips outward, like a sun shape. Mix together: ½ pound of venison, ½ pound sausage, tomato sauce, onions, peppers and green and black olives, and one pack of dry ranch dressing, prepared as instructions. Once mixed, place in the center of the "Sun", top with shredded cheese, fold all the points towards the middle, and bake at 375 until golden and inside is bubbly.

Venison Cottage Cheese Pie

Mix 1 pound of ground venison, mushrooms and onions together and put in a 9" frozen pie shell. In a separate bowl, beat 2 eggs and add 1 cup of cottage cheese and pour over the top of the meat mixture. Bake at 350 for 30-40 minutes until set, or top mixture turns golden brown.

Whether you're an avid hunter or just someone who enjoys the offerings of a hunter you are sure to impress somebody with these easy venison recipes.