Making the Most of Urban Outdoor Living: My Multi-Purpose Compost System
When people think about living the hunting and fishing lifestyle, they usually picture wide open spaces, acreage, and the freedom to do whatever you want on your own land. But the reality is, a lot of us are making it work in the city. That means getting creative with how we process our harvests and maintain our connection to the land, even when that "land" is a backyard in Louisville.
About a year ago, I started a compost pile that's become one of the most useful tools in my outdoor toolkit. Yeah, there's an environmental upside, but that's just a bonus. What matters is this thing solves real problems that hunters, anglers, and gardeners deal with when living in city limits.
If you've ever done euro mounts, you know the process. You can boil, you can use beetles, or you can let nature do the work. My compost pile has become my go-to method for the final cleaning stage. After the initial processing, I'll tuck a skull into the pile, and the combination of heat, moisture, and the army of bugs and microorganisms does the detail work that would otherwise take hours of picking and scraping.
The beauty of this method is it's hands-off. The compost generates heat as it breaks down organic matter, and that warmth attracts and sustains the insects and bacteria that clean every last bit of tissue from the bone. I've finished several mounts this way, and they come out clean, white, and ready for final treatment. No harsh chemicals needed, no hours hunched over with a toothbrush and tweezers.
Here's something most city-dwelling anglers struggle with: what do you do with fish guts and scraps when you clean your catch? You can't just toss them in the garbage. That's a recipe for smell complaints and attracting the wrong kind of attention from raccoons and neighborhood dogs.
The compost pile solves this problem completely. After filleting fish, all the scraps go straight into the pile. Bury them a bit under the existing compost, and within days, they're broken down and incorporated. No smell, no waste, and those nutrient-rich fish remains become part of the soil-building process instead of taking up space in a landfill.
This is where it all comes together. That euro mount you finished? Those fish scraps? The yard waste, kitchen scraps, and everything else that goes into the pile? All of it becomes some of the richest, most nutrient-dense soil amendment you can get.
The bones contribute calcium and phosphorus. The fish remains are loaded with nitrogen. The carbon-rich materials balance it all out. What you end up with is black gold for your garden. Soil that's alive with beneficial microorganisms, packed with nutrients, and holds moisture better than anything you'll buy at a garden center.
I use this compost in my vegetable beds, and the difference is noticeable. Plants are healthier, yields are better, and I know exactly what went into the soil that's growing my food. There's something satisfying about that full-circle approach. The deer and fish that fed me are now feeding the plants that will feed me next season.
The key to running a system like this in an urban or suburban setting is doing it right. Keep it in a spot that gets good airflow but isn't right up against your neighbor's fence. Be considerate. You need the right balance of green (nitrogen-rich) and brown (carbon-rich) materials. Too much of either, and you'll have problems. Turn it regularly. This keeps the pile aerobic, which means faster breakdown and no nasty anaerobic smells that'll have your neighbors complaining. When adding fish scraps or anything that might attract attention, bury it in the center of the pile under at least 6-8 inches of other material. And be patient. This isn't a fast process, but it's a reliable one. Let the system work.
This compost pile represents something bigger than just a practical solution to processing game and fish. You're refusing to let city living disconnect you from the cycles and processes that matter when you hunt, fish, and grow your own food.
You don't need a farm or a big property to live this lifestyle. You need to be willing to think through the problems you face and find solutions that work within your constraints. My compost pile does the work of a dermestid beetle colony, a waste disposal service, and a fertilizer supplier. All in one 4x4 foot space in my backyard.
If you're living in the city and struggling with how to process your harvests or wondering what to do with garden waste, consider starting a compost system. It takes some learning and adjustment, but once you've got it dialed in, you'll wonder how you ever managed without it.
That's the kind of practical outdoor living I'm always working on. Finding ways to make it all work, no matter where you are. Not always pretty, not always Instagram-worthy, but real, effective, and keeps you connected to the whole process from harvest to table to garden and back again.
What solutions have you found for processing harvests and managing outdoor projects while living in city limits? I'd love to hear what's working for others out there making it happen.