I've got about 20lbs of steaks in my freezer, the're OK but I prefer venison so I plan to sausage the rest.
As for not killing what your not going to eat, don't you guys have the same laws as us? In Ontario its illegal to allow game meat to spoil, I think its a good law to discourage idiots that will shoot an animal only to take a trophy and leave the carcass to rot.

In Alberta, it is illegal to let the meat of big game or meat to spoil UNLESS it is bear or cougar. In that case it is illegal to let thepeltgo to waste.

I have not read all the replies to the original post as I know that there will be alot of "only eat spring" or "only eat fall" posts. I have eatenmanyspring and fall bears from the Washington state and all I can say is "it is up to you". How you handle the meat, starting with field dressing, will dictate the edibility. It is very good as roasts, sausage, etc.

Bear peperoni is wicked good. Iam gonna get a spring bear made all in to peperoni.

its the old story about how you fix it i would just as soon have bear as deer both are great

Thanks All!!!!
I had no idea that this topic would bring so much response.
I will treat the meat like pork. And look forward to hunting bear.
Here in "Cheyoming" . . . regulations require you to present and report your harvest within 72 hours of the kill. Because of harvest number restrictions, an area may be closed before the season dates are over.
Thanks again, feel much better about putting that first bite in my mouth!