Wisevoter
Fargo

Hunter Chef Jeff Benda Releases Wild Game Cookbook

The new guide for preparing North Dakota waterfowl features professional techniques and a secret cash prize.

Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Hunting

Bold vector illustration of raw duck game in a skillet, featuring thick outlines and a warm palette.
Hunter and chef Jeff Benda has released a new cookbook providing professional techniques for preparing wild North Dakota waterfowl species. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Would you consider preparing wild game meals for your family at home?

Hunter and chef Jeff Benda has launched a new cookbook focused on wild game recipes following a recent hunting season in North Dakota. The guide offers specific instructions for preparing species like mallards and gadwalls.

Why it matters

The release highlights the challenges of North Dakota waterfowl hunting, where unpredictable migration patterns and dry landscape conditions near Jamestown are impacting local success. Benda uses his platform to share culinary methods for field-harvested game.

The cookbook features preparation guides requiring 20 to 30 minutes of stirring for a gumbo roux and 10 minutes for an étouffée roux. One lucky reader will find a golden ticket worth $1,000 inside their copy.

The players

Jeff Benda

Jeff Benda is a hunter and chef who specializes in creating recipes using wild game harvested in North Dakota.

WDAY Radio

WDAY Radio is a broadcasting station based in Fargo that features local news and community programming.

The details

Benda, who recently discussed his methods on WDAY Radio in Fargo, emphasizes the importance of utilizing all parts of the bird, such as saving legs and thighs. He also utilizes practical visual aids, like using a copper penny, to teach his daughter how to achieve the correct color for a gumbo roux.

Timeline

  1. Monday, October 26, 2026: Benda observed high duck activity in the region.

  2. Tuesday, October 27, 2026: Waterfowl left the area unexpectedly.

  3. Thursday, October 29, 2026: Benda appeared on WDAY Radio to discuss his work.

  4. Before Thanksgiving 2026: Pre-ordered cookbooks are expected to be delivered.

Culture Shift

This cookbook reflects a broader trend of hunters prioritizing sustainable field-to-table practices amidst shifting environmental conditions. By leveraging the North Dakota waterfowl migration patterns, Benda provides a blueprint for adapting traditional culinary skills to modern hunting challenges.

Readers who purchase the cookbook can expect delivery before the upcoming holiday season. The inclusion of professional roux-stirring techniques may alter how local home cooks approach traditional wild game preparations in their own kitchens.

The takeaway

Using precise visual cues like a copper penny for roux color can help home chefs master difficult game recipes. Benda’s focus on utilizing legs and thighs encourages a more complete use of harvested game rather than discarding parts of the bird.

Further reading

For more on local outdoor traditions, visit the Hunting section.

More information

Purchase your copy or view the collection at the Wild game cookbook and recipe purchase.

Source note: This article includes information reported by The Flag - AM 1100 and FM 92.3 WZFG.

Live Poll

Would you consider preparing wild game meals for your family at home?