game4lunch

My first hunt of '06 will be spring bear. Can't wait!
Have never harvested a bear.
Arethey good to eat? And what meat handling precausions do I take?

handloader1

I like really enjoy bear meat. Just make sure to remove all the fat you can, grill it so the remaining fat drops out, and cook it well done. Good luck on your bear kill!!

txhunter58

It is good to eat if you get them a little time after they come out of hibernation. During the winter, they put a lot of "urine" byproducts in their muscle for storage. If they have had time to emerge and eat again for awhile, they are good.

As stated, cook them like pork, WELL DONE. Just like hogs, they could have trichinosis, a parasite that is killed when you fully cook it.

hunter_jere

suasage and stir-fry

game4lunch

I've wondered about that urine thing while hibernating. So how long after they come out? Couple days, or couple weeks. And is the pelt generally better in the spring or fall?
Thanks for the input. Locally I've either heard "it's better than elk" to "My dogs wouldn't eat it."
I don't like shooting something I'm not gping to eat. So, thanks again.

Spiffy

I personally will only eat it in pepperettes 'cause it tases good. I would't it it regualrily becuase to me it is like eating a wolf or a coyote. Both eat meat, berries, whatever, and rotton meat. Doesn't sound good to me.

I give them away to people who like it but it is supposed to be good and taste like pork![8D]



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txhunter58

Not sure how long it would take. As far as the pelt, in the spring the pelt would be the best just after they emerge, before they have a chance to start shedding. A fall bear would have a great pelt and be better to eat, but probably harder to hunt.

As far as not eating something because of what it eats, chickens and turkeys (that aren't grown in a warehouse somewhere, eat bugs, including maggots! Ever eaten chicken or turkeys or their eggs from free range birds?

MA Jay

I really enjoy a fall killed bear which has been devouring blueberries, you get a really sweet meat. As far as spring bears, I don't have much experience but I have eaten some very old and tough bears and they make really good sausage. Also, make bear jerky... a great way to use the whole animal and trust me, good bear jerky lasts no time at all. You'll be booking/planning a hunt to get you some more.

gandilamont

We got a bear last fall and the backstraps were really good and tender. The rest of the meat is kind of chewy. Not bad though. Good in chilly.

Spiffy

I'll pass thanks. Bugs sound better than Rotton meat. I'm sure it won't hurt anything but I would sooner eat other things.