Alrighty Boys and Squirrels,

I posted this on the bow hunting forum and then thought, crap! not all deer hunters use a bow. Better post it on the deer hunting forum too. So here is the exact post from the other forum:

Must be the season, but I decided to share here what I won't share with my military unit members or others around these parts. For the past three years I have won every chili cookoff I've been in with a recipe I came up with. It's called "Coop's Afterburner Chili". It's pretty darn simple too. Try it and tell me what you think (besides the comments that "it don't have no beans in it!". I've heard enough of those and yet I keep winning.

Here are the ingredients you need:

1 lb ground venison (thus this forum)
1 lb italian sausage
1 lb slab bacon
1 vadalia onion
1 tbs minced garlic
2 tbs liquid smoke
1 jar of "Mad Hatters Hot Salsa" (If you can't get Mad Hatters, use another hot salsa)
2 jars of "Chilis" MediumSalsa
Chili Powder
1/2 tsp cumin

Start off by cutting the bacon into 1" strips and dice the onions
Fry the bacon until almost done and then add the onions and liquid smoke
Fry the bacon & onions until onions until transluscent
Take the onions and bacon out of the grease and add the venison and italian sausage in.
Crumble the sausage and venison while it cooks
When the sausage and venison is browned, add the bacon and onions back in. LEAVE THE BACON GREASE IN THERE!!!
Pour in the three jars of salsa and cook until the mixture is hot.
Add the cumin and then sprinkle the mixture with chili powder until she's got a nice coating over the top (I never measure the chili powder for some stupid reason). i'd guess its about 3 - 4 tbs.
Stir and lower the heat to a simmer.
Let it simmer for a couple of hours and then eat up. Chili will be a little spicy.
For the award winning part, after its simmered for a couple of hours let it cool and put it in the fridge overnight. Reheat the next day and it's PERFECT!

Just for S & G's, if you decide to try this recipe or copy it down, just respond on here so I can see how many are liking the recipe. Thanks.

If you are one of those who have to have beans in their chili, I guess you'd add beans in there at some point. [:'(]

Anyway, give 'er a shot and see whatcha think.

Warning: Those with tender sphincters should only add about 1/4 jar of hot salsa. Void where prohibited by law. Not responsible for gastro-intestinal distress. Those with "pansy tummies" should consult a doctor before trying this recipe. yada yada yada....

I forgot to say its good with just venison in there to, but add some crushed red pepper for additional seasoning if you do it this way. The first chili cookoffsI entered was with just venison and the judges always commented that it tasted too gamey (I don't add pork or beef to my ground venison).