Don Netek
Biography

Born in San Antonio Texas in July 1948

Graduated from Sam Houston High School in San Antonio Texas

Served aboard the USS Sacramento AOE-1 of the coast of Vietnam, during the Vietnam War. After tour of duty, received Honorable Discharge. Moved to Houston Texas in 1970, then moved to Pasadena Texas in 1971. I've been married 38 years, have three children, two sons, one daughter and four grandchildren.

Worked for Shell Oil Company and Shell Chemical Company in Deer Park, Texas for 34 years. Last position held Commissioning Coordinator OP-2 Ethylene Plant. Retired with 34 years service on April 1, 2004.

Coached Tee-ball, Little League, Pony League, Colt League base ball in Deer Park Texas for 16 years

Past President of the Deer Park Tigers and Starlights, youth football and Girls Drill Team.

Past member of the Deer Park High School Football Booster Club

Coastal Conservation Board Member, San Jacinto Chapter, Deer Park Texas

Member of American Legion Post 0521

Member of National Rifle Association

Member of Texas Trophy Hunters Association

Attend St. Hyacinth Catholic Church in Deer Park Texas

Growing up my dad took me hunting, fishing and camping. When we went hunting, fishing and camping, my dad did most of the cooking. And I developed a love of hunting, fishing, camping and cooking. I enjoyed what I cooked. I have spent many years hunting, fishing and camping, mostly in Texas, but also Colorado. I consider Wild Game and Fish a Very Precious Treasure, and I only harvest and catch what I am going to eat.

I very much enjoy sharing my knowledge of wild game cooking with others. What I have learned over the years, is anything you can do with beef, you can do with venison. You just need to add a few steps. To me cooking is like being a chemist in a lab. I am always trying out new ideas I have in cooking wild game and fish.

Things I have done:
Guest appearances on live radio numerous times here in Houston Texas. KLDE 94.5 FM, KILT 100.3 FM and 610 AM Sports. Answering people’s questions about wild game and camp cooking.

I have hosted the WILD GAME KITCHEN and conducted wild game cooking demonstrations at the Houston Hunting and Fishing Show since its conception starting in 1997 and have continued to do so in 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, and 2002.

I have taught Wild Game Cooking Classes at the renowned Rice Epicurean Cooking School here in Houston, Texas in 1998 and 1999.

I have conducted Wild Game Cooking Classes at the Carolyn Wood Cooking School in Beaumont, Texas.

I have also made guest appearances on channel 6 TV Morning Show in Beaumont, Texas

I have conducted numerous wild game cooking seminars for a number of organizations, including the Texas Women’s Outdoors Network, Ladies Charity Classic Event, Brazoria County Outdoors Expo, Coastal Conservation Association, Texas Parks and Wild Life Dept, Pasadena South Rotary Club.

I have written wild game cooking articles for Wild Menus Magazine published in Lewis Colorado.

I have attended and promoted Wild Game and Camp Cooking at the Texas Parks and Wild Life Expo in Austin, Texas.

In Austin Texas, my cookbook was featured in the Sept. 1999 issue of the Texas Parks and Wild Life Magazine.

I have performed wild game cooking demonstrations at the Famous Cowboy Ranch Restaurant in Pasadena, Texas.

I've had feature articles about me in the Houston Life Style Magazine, August 1997 issue, Deer Park Progress Newspaper December 1998 issue, and Texas Outdoors Journal Magazine, Sept. 1998 issue

Feature Guest Chef in the Houston Chronicle January 1999 issue, in the Food, Health and Happenings section.

The Sportsman's Cookbook and Then Some was selected by the Texas Parks & Wild Life Magazine to put in THE GEAR TO GO section of their fine Magazine at the 8th Annual 1999 Texas Parks & Wild Life Expo.

I was asked to compete in the Deer Park Texas MEN WHO COOK Contest in June 1999. I won 1st place.

Feature article about me in the Houston Chronicle Jan. 29, 1999 issue "50 Plus:" section.

February 5, 2001 was asked to participate as a Judge at the Gene Mann's 20th Annual WILD GAME COOK-OFF in Houston, Texas. I was also asked back as a Judge for the 2002 Event.

I was asked by the Texas Fisheries in Athens Texas to come to their site and perform cooking lessons, preparing fresh water fish. Due to icy road conditions and severe freezing weather on Jan. 28, 2000 the event was canceled. But was re¬scheduled for a later date.

I was asked by Jay Brown of KKYX Radio in San Antonio Texas to make a guest appearance on his Outdoor Show in San Antonio Texas on Feb. 21, 2001 and did so.

I was asked by TV and Radio Personalities Harold Gunn and Bill Olson of Texas News Radio Show {950 KPRC} here in Houston Texas to make a guest appearance on their State Wide Radio Show. I did so on March 18, 2000.

I have appeared at the Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World Spring Classic at Katy Mall promoting Wild Game Cooking and giving Cooking demonstrations on March 24 and 25, 2001.

I have also conducted Wild Game Cooking demonstrations at the Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World at Katy Mall on April 21, 2001.

I conducted a Wild Game Cooking School at the Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World in April 2001.

I have done live appearances at the Conroe Texas Academy Store with K-STAR 103.7 Radio Personalities Mary McCoy and Larry Gallo on July 14, 2001.

I appeared on the 610 AM Outdoor Radio Show on Jan. 30, 2005, answering wild game cooking questions.

Performed a Wild Game cooking demonstration at the Bass Pro Shops, Katy Texas on Feb. 5 & 6 2005 and on Feb. 12 & 13 2005.

Conducted Wild Game Cooking Event for Mr. Tim Knittig and party of 200 on Lake Conroe.

I performed a Cable TV Cooking segment with Texas Diva's {Texas Women’s Shooting Sports} at the Oak Island Lodge on July 27, 2005.

Performed Cooking demonstration for the Texas Lady Anglers organization on July 29, 2005 at the Border Grill Restaurant.

I have done a personal appearance on the 610 AM Outdoor Radio Show on August 7, 2005 answering wild game cooking questions.

Black Drum recipe in February issue of Texas Parks & Wildlife Magazine, included in article written by Larry Bozka.

Conducted Wild Game Cooking Seminar at Katy Bass Pro Shops on February 18 & 19, 2006 at their Spring Fishing Classic 2006.

Live interview with Melanie Lawson Channel 13 KTRK, Houston Texas { Feb. 25, 2006 } at Houston Rodeo Cook-Off.

Live interview with Roseann Rogers Channel 2 KPRC, Houston Texas { Feb. 25, 2006 } at Houston Rodeo Cook-Off.

Performed Question and Answer Session at Academy Store at Hwy. 59 & Kirby.
{ Meet the Pro Day } March 11, 2006.

Accepted into { TOWA } Texas Outdoor Writers Association.

Performed Cooking demonstration for Pasadena Business Leaders Mixer on August 25, 2005 at the Border Grill Restaurant.

Conducted Wild Game Cooking Event for party of 38 at the Oak Island Lodge on August 27, 2005.

Conducted Wild Game Cooking Event for Coastal Conservation Association San Jacinto Chapter in Matagorda Texas for party of 18 on September 30, 2005.

Conducted Wild Game Cooking Event for Coastal Conservation Association and Pro-Inspect for party of 200 on October 8, 2005.

I have done a personal appearance on the 610 AM Outdoor Radio show on October 29, 2005 and on December 9, 2005. Answering wild game cooking questions.

On my website on the Internet, I have sold my cookbooks in 50 states nationwide. I receive numerous e-mails from across the United States concerning wild game cooking.

I was asked to compete in the MEN WHO COOK contest in Deer Park, Texas, March 31, 2006. I won 1st place in this competition.

I was asked by a major TV and movie production company out of Los Angeles, California, to take part in a production on an Iron Chef Wild Game Competition in the state of West Virginia as the Host and Head Judge and did so July 16 to July 20, 2006.

The Pasadena Citizen Newspaper here in Texas, did a front page article and picture of me in their July 26, 2006 issue.

Performed Wild Game Cooking Seminar at Bass Pro Shop, Katy, Texas on August 26, 2006. Answering cooking questions, and sharing cooking techniques.

I have done a personal appearance on 610AM Outdoor Radio show Houston on September 3, 2006. Answering Wild Game Cooking questions.

Performed Wild Game Seminar at Bass Pro Shop Grand Opening San Antonio Store Oct 21 and 22. Covered Wild Game and Fish- field dressing, transporting, aging, processing, tenderizing.

Conducted Wild Game Cooking Class at the famous HEB Central Market Cooking School in Houston, Texas on October 26, 2006.

March 7, 2011- Featured guest speaker at the Houston Clearlake, Texas Rotary Club.

March 24, 2011 - Featured guest speaker at the League City Texas Rotary Club.

I enjoy communicating and answering questions concerning wild game cooking and preparation. My website has a Cooking Tip of The Month.

Since publishing my cookbook, my first edition in 1996 and publishing my 2nd edition of my cookbook in 1998, I have made many friends. I have had the opportunity to be involved and participate by helping sponsor the Kids Fishing Tournaments, and Youth Events and Charities, including working with others supporting the Sun Shine Kids Fishing Tournaments. This is a very special event for me.

I have had the opportunity to share my 30 plus years of Wild Game and Camp Cooking with others, in order to help them enjoy more and preserve this Precious Treasure WILD GAME AND FISH.

Don Netek Hunter, Fisherman, Chef and Author