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years roaming the lakes and forest of his up some of his favorite dishes, honed over

Outdoorsman and cook Keefer Edwards offers

in the center of a map of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore and it might very well land in my Glen Arbor kitchen. If not precisely geographically, at least metaphorically—especially when my 20-something son, Keefer, brings in fresh lake trout from Sleeping Bear Bay, bluegill from one of the many inland lakes nearby and venison from deer who spent their lives grazing on Alligator Hill, the alligator-shaped ridge I can see out my kitchen window. And from that hill, too, come morels, chanterelles and other edible fungi.

Keef grew up fishing, hunting and foraging in this bounteous parkland, and then bringing it all home to cook in my kitchen. From as young as 8 years old, he’d fire up the cast iron skillet that always sits on my stove and throw in whatever it was he had brought back that day—treating himself to open season on my spice drawer, pantry and refrigerator for extra ingredients.

Eventually, Keef became a whole-beast kind of guy—which means I’ve had antlers peeking out of my pasta pot (he took pity and bought me a new one), a cold glass jar containing boiling hot deer tal- low explode all over the kitchen … there have been more delicious mishaps, but I’ll spare you. Science experiments aside, along the way Keef has become as skilled a cook as he is a hunter and fisherman. His dream is to build a career as a fishing and hunting guide, teaching his clients how to prepare and cook what they come home with.

In the meantime, he practices on his friends—some of whom he’s known since before kindergarten, and all of whom fish and hunt with him when they can. When Keef says he’s cooking, Charlie, Jack, Austin, Spencer, Cam, Ben and others gather around my big oak counter to watch him filet, butcher, batter, fry or smoke (done in his Traeger grill on the deck), lending a hand or ingredients as the case requires. Last April, as this feast was being assembled, Keef’s friend Liam Kaiser showed up with his camera. When Keef started the meal, Liam started shooting—from lake to table.

Follow Keef on Instagram: @keef_edwards

You can try these recipes at home whether you fish and hunt for your own protein or not.

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Lollipop Bluegill with Fresh Herb Tartar Sauce

Smoked Lake Trout with Spruce Tips

Seared Venison and Fried Morels

Spring Salad Dressed with Venison and Morel Drippings