Venison Maple Breakfast Sausage Recipe

Ingredients

• 2 pounds ground venison (trimmed of all fat and sinew)
• 1/2 pound ground pork (for added juiciness)
• 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon ground sage
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional, for a kick)