If you’re a deer hunter under the age of 50, the name Dan Fitzgerald might not mean much. However, if you rented VHS hunting tapes from your local archery shop in the 1970s and ‘80s, then there’s an excellent chance you watched his adventures. (Click here to read about Dan and his son, Guy, who make up “Team Fitzgerald.”)

To my knowledge, Dan and Guy were the first bowhunters to capture video of an arrow passing through a whitetail with the camera positioned on the deer’s exit side. The first time I saw it, I couldn’t believe my eyes. Click here to check out a 3-minute “Passing Through” clip. Note Dan’s red-and-black “camo” shirt plus the leafy branch attached to his hat. Classic.

In the 3-minute YouTube video below, Dan shows you how to quickly remove a deer’s backstrap, then demonstrates his unique treestand platform method for cooking it over an open fire. I like how he flips over the treestand’s seat and uses it as a shelf for his seasonings; clever. And you have to love the Honda Big Red 3-wheeler in the background!

Step back in time and enjoy this clip. In my opinion, Dan’s motivation for hunting — meat over antlers — is a breath of fresh air.