Tundra10

A bit tough and chewy but Good!

Live in ME and never had bear jerky. Dam shame!!

Phil from Maine

No I never have tried it before.. I will have to ask a friend for a piece after this fall's bear hunting season ends..

Muley Hunter

I've read bear jerky isn't safe, because it doesn't get the meat up to the safe temp.

Not sure it's true.

Tundra10

Hope you do! Enjoy!

Tundra10

Me either but I'm still alive. And I ate a bunch just last year!

Muley Hunter

Could be the jerky was made from bear meat that didn't have trichinosis. That might not always be the case.

Just sayin....

Murdy

What you could do if you wanted to be sure you were safe, is process the jerky normally, then at the end of the smoking/dehydrating/whatever process, put it in the oven for a while to make sure it gets up to temperature. Might have to experiment with a few batches to learn how to keep from drying it out too much, but better than getting trich. (I used to work for a couple meat processors. If I remember right, the rule was any pork product over an inch thick (like summer sausage) would have to go through a secondary cooking process -- or you'd have to use certified pork).

Muley Hunter

I've been researching this since my last post. It seems to be safe you're right about heating up the jerky after the process of drying is done. It can also be done before the drying process.

Either way it should be done to be safe.

olsaltydog

Have had some bear in a stew, the experience doesn't distinguish itself so I cant say if I enjoyed it or not. Then again down here hot sauce and old Bay will make a leather boot edible.

Muley Hunter

I have some old boots I won't be using anymore if you're hungry?