texashuntingforum.com logo
Main Menu
Advertisement
Affiliates
Advertisement
Newest Members
TraeMartin, Beatixre, MooseSteed, Trappernewt, casyoo
71987 Registered Users
Top Posters(All Time)
dogcatcher 110,788
bill oxner 91,416
SnakeWrangler 65,413
stxranchman 60,296
Gravytrain 46,950
RKHarm24 44,585
rifleman 44,461
Stub 43,764
Forum Statistics
Forums46
Topics536,988
Posts9,719,164
Members86,987
Most Online25,604
Feb 12th, 2024
Print Thread
Page 1 of 2 1 2
Bear meat #6139344 01/17/16 03:00 AM
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 3,920
S
skeeter22 Offline OP
Extreme Tracker
OP Offline
Extreme Tracker
S
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 3,920
Ever eaten bear meat? Taste? Texture? Is there a difference between black bear and brown bear meat?

Re: Bear meat [Re: skeeter22] #6139412 01/17/16 03:34 AM
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 309
E
Elpatoloco Offline
Bird Dog
Offline
Bird Dog
E
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 309
Have eaten Black bear in stew as well as jerky. Taste same as whitetail.

Re: Bear meat [Re: skeeter22] #6139432 01/17/16 03:45 AM
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,333
H
Hirogen Online Content
Pro Tracker
Online Content
Pro Tracker
H
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,333
Never had brown bear but black bear is excellent if done correctly. It is like mild venison with the texture of pork.

A few hints if you want to eat bear. Just like hogs (and most other game), smaller is better. For eating size I would look for a 125 to 150 lb black bear. If possible you also want a spring bear instead of a fall bear. The meat is extra tender after 5-7 months without exercise.

When cooking slower is better. Use a slow cooker for roasts. You also need to make sure all parts of the meat reach 160F in order to ensure all parasites are killed.


Never violate a woman, nor harm a child. Do not lie, cheat or steal. These things are for lesser men. Protect the weak against the evil strong. And never allow thoughts of gain to lead you into the pursuit of evil.

-The Iron Code of Druss the Legend
Re: Bear meat [Re: skeeter22] #6139871 01/17/16 05:31 PM
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 4,487
syncerus Offline
Extreme Tracker
Offline
Extreme Tracker
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 4,487
I've read that fall bear were preferred in the "old days" because of the high fat content. Plentiful fat is very rare in wild game and supposedly bear fat was highly regarded for baking, in the absence of domestic sources (pigs). Of course, none of that speaks to the meat quality of fall bears. I'm pretty sure that bears that have been eating grass and berries taste much better than bears that have been eating salmon, etc., but I've never eaten bear myself.


NRA Patriot Benefactor & DSC Lifer
Re: Bear meat [Re: skeeter22] #6139919 01/17/16 06:07 PM
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 854
Shane431 Offline
Tracker
Offline
Tracker
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 854
BIL shot a bear when we lived in Idaho. We may have prepared it wrong but the few recipes I remember him trying were not good!

I'd try it again but wasn't a fan of the stuff I've tried.

Re: Bear meat [Re: syncerus] #6139991 01/17/16 06:59 PM
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 147
S
Skyline Offline
Woodsman
Offline
Woodsman
S
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 147
Originally Posted By: syncerus
I've read that fall bear were preferred in the "old days" because of the high fat content. Plentiful fat is very rare in wild game and supposedly bear fat was highly regarded for baking, in the absence of domestic sources (pigs). Of course, none of that speaks to the meat quality of fall bears. I'm pretty sure that bears that have been eating grass and berries taste much better than bears that have been eating salmon, etc., but I've never eaten bear myself.


Yup. we outfit for black bear. For us fall is better. They have been feasting all summer on alfalfa, oats, canola, clover, usual wild feed and then the fall berry crop. Each to their own, but I have always found that animals on the gain are better eating than something that has been losing weight....... bodies under stress. Our sessions of trying spring bear meat always lead us back to fall bear when we want something to eat. Added bonus is all the fat. My wife renders it down for lard. Makes incredible pastry......... pie crusts are amazing.

The bear lard is also good for softening leather, dry skin salve. My wife gets dry skin patches in the winter when it is really cold and low humidity.......... swears by the "bear grease". Natives think it has medicinal properties and elders like to rub it on arthritic joints........ ya I know, just saying what they believe. wink Anyways, lots of uses............ did I mention pastry? smile

The meat is mild tasting and I have hunting clients who usually say it tastes like beef to them when we cook a roast for them or some backstrap. Young bear is good of course, but we have had clients shoot 600+ boars and the meat was just fine. Thing is that unless you live in bear country and can shoot them every year, guys going on a guided hunt don't usually want to shoot a "boo-boo" and the meat is a by-product to the trophy. Fear not, you can take a nice big bear and till have some good eating.


Skyline Adventures
www.canadianblackbearhunt.com
Re: Bear meat [Re: skeeter22] #6140208 01/17/16 10:16 PM
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 4,236
E
Erny Offline
Extreme Tracker
Offline
Extreme Tracker
E
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 4,236
Two years ago I shot a very large late spring black bear in Manitoba. The meat was the worst game meat I have ever tried. It had a rancid odor when cooked. I know the meat was not rotten as we cleaned it fast and got it into a freezer pretty darn quick. I will try it again if I get another one but my first experience was not good. Someone speculated that the bear may have been eating a winter killed moose.

Re: Bear meat [Re: skeeter22] #6141020 01/18/16 02:37 PM
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 2,856
3
30378 Offline
Veteran Tracker
Offline
Veteran Tracker
3
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 2,856
On a scale of 1 - 10 for me it would get a negative number. Killed a Black Bear in Alberta couple of years ago and never again. The meat was terrible. I'll pass!!


NRA Benefactor Life Member - Free men should not be subjected to permits, paperwork and taxation in order to carry a firearm.
Re: Bear meat [Re: skeeter22] #6143386 01/19/16 07:15 PM
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 332
C
claypool Offline
Bird Dog
Offline
Bird Dog
C
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 332
I have never shot a bear, but I am sure it taste good enough forme not to feel guilty if I get the chance to kill one.

Re: Bear meat [Re: skeeter22] #6143403 01/19/16 07:21 PM
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 22,630
Cast Offline
THF Celebrity
Offline
THF Celebrity
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 22,630
I had a buddy that was a big bear hunter. He swore the meat was good.


Cast

[Linked Image]

I have a short attention spa
Re: Bear meat [Re: skeeter22] #6143424 01/19/16 07:30 PM
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 29,609
S
SapperTitan Offline
Taking Requests
Offline
Taking Requests
S
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 29,609
I tried bear jerky 1 time and couldn't even finish the first piece. It was horrible.

Re: Bear meat [Re: skeeter22] #6143489 01/19/16 08:04 PM
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 19,100
dgilbert Offline
THF Celebrity
Offline
THF Celebrity
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 19,100
It is some great meat, I have had 2 so far and it is the first to go out of the freezer. I have only had spring bear, I heard the winter meat is more greasy and tasty though.

Re: Bear meat [Re: skeeter22] #6143490 01/19/16 08:06 PM
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 22,630
Cast Offline
THF Celebrity
Offline
THF Celebrity
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 22,630
I'd love to try it. Cancer got my buddy before I could beg a taste.


Cast

[Linked Image]

I have a short attention spa
Re: Bear meat [Re: skeeter22] #6143589 01/19/16 09:10 PM
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 5,067
T
titan2232 Offline
THF Trophy Hunter
Offline
THF Trophy Hunter
T
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 5,067
Sounds like bear meat is a lot like white bass and fresh water drum (goo). Many different opinions on taste. I like white bass, hate goo, and have never tried bear



Re: Bear meat [Re: skeeter22] #6143659 01/19/16 09:49 PM
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 27,091
N
Nogalus Prairie Offline
THF Celebrity
Offline
THF Celebrity
N
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 27,091
I was not fond of it.


Originally Posted by Russ79
I learned long ago you can't reason someone out of something they don't reason themselves into.


Re: Bear meat [Re: dgilbert] #6143666 01/19/16 09:54 PM
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 21,271
S
SniperRAB Offline
THF Celebrity
Offline
THF Celebrity
S
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 21,271
Originally Posted By: dgilbert
It is some great meat, I have had 2 so far and it is the first to go out of the freezer. I have only had spring bear, I heard the winter meat is more greasy and tasty though.


barf barf


Scares me ...I smelled it one time and I can't get it out of my head


Re: Bear meat [Re: SniperRAB] #6143708 01/19/16 10:16 PM
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 27,891
skinnerback Offline
THF Celebrity Chef
Offline
THF Celebrity Chef
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 27,891
Originally Posted By: SniperRAB
Originally Posted By: dgilbert
It is some great meat, I have had 2 so far and it is the first to go out of the freezer. I have only had spring bear, I heard the winter meat is more greasy and tasty though.


barf barf


Scares me ...I smelled it one time and I can't get it out of my head


I wanna comment soooooooooo bad. rofl

Re: Bear meat [Re: skeeter22] #6143758 01/19/16 10:40 PM
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 15,612
Q
QuitShootinYoungBucks Offline
THF Celebrity
Offline
THF Celebrity
Q
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 15,612
Before I was born my grandad shot one near Del Rio and brought it back to Dallas. He left it hanging in the garage and the grease pooled on the floor-grandma made him get rid of it.


[Linked Image]

https://web.archive.org/web/20170223065011/http:/www.rrdvegas.com/silencer-cleaning.html
Re: Bear meat [Re: skeeter22] #6143934 01/20/16 12:12 AM
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 300
H
Hen-Killer Offline
Bird Dog
Offline
Bird Dog
H
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 300
Trichinosis. No thanks


"I'm responsible only for what I say, not for what you understand"
Re: Bear meat [Re: skeeter22] #6143959 01/20/16 12:30 AM
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,729
N
NMGW Offline
Pro Tracker
Offline
Pro Tracker
N
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,729
People either love it or hate it. My dad shot one when I was a kid, back when you got a deer, turkey, and bear tag all in the general hunting license in New Mexico. I remember that it smelled bad and tasted worse. As my dad would say "the more you chew it the bigger it gets". We finally tried to feed it to the dog, and the dog would not eat it either. A buddy of mine has shot a couple out of an apple orchard and said they were excellent.

As for me I cannot forget it when I was a kid.... I will pass.... barf


New Mexico: Not Really New, Not Really Mexico
Re: Bear meat [Re: skeeter22] #6144045 01/20/16 01:30 AM
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 6,164
C
Chief Joe Offline
THF Trophy Hunter
Offline
THF Trophy Hunter
C
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 6,164
I didn't read all the posts but I have had bear roast. I was told that alot depends on what and where the bear eats. Also it was stressed that all the fat should be trimmed away and use beef suet. Like a lot of wile meat, lower heat longer. Delicious/



"It is the same boiling water that softens the rice, which hardens the egg." It's not always about the circumstances, but what you are made of....
Re: Bear meat [Re: skeeter22] #6151049 01/24/16 01:16 AM
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 147
W
Westtexan1 Offline
Woodsman
Offline
Woodsman
W
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 147
I tried it once and it was terrible. Couldn't physiologically get over the idea that bears are not something people should eat. Kinda felt like the feeling I would get if someone tried to get me to eat a dog. Just couldn't do it.

Re: Bear meat [Re: Westtexan1] #6151098 01/24/16 01:43 AM
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 65,413
S
SnakeWrangler Offline
THF Celebrity
Offline
THF Celebrity
S
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 65,413
Originally Posted By: Westtexan1
I tried it once and it was terrible. Couldn't physiologically get over the idea that bears are not something people should eat. Kinda felt like the feeling I would get if someone tried to get me to eat a dog. Just couldn't do it.

Dog can be very good is cooked right.... food


Originally Posted by Sneaky
I believe in science and I’m an insufferable [censored]
Originally Posted by beaversnipe
Actually, BBC is pretty damn good

"You Cannot Simultaneously Be Politically Correct And Intellectually Honest!"
Re: Bear meat [Re: SnakeWrangler] #6151606 01/24/16 02:35 PM
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 266
B
bass101 Offline
Bird Dog
Offline
Bird Dog
B
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 266
I killed two bears and ate them both. They were both taken in Arkansas and I thought they tasted like beef.

Re: Bear meat [Re: skeeter22] #6156423 01/26/16 11:54 PM
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 18
H
Hubcap67 Offline
Light Foot
Offline
Light Foot
H
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 18
Skeeter,

I am from Montana we used to kill bear in the fall. We would just revisit elk or deer gut piles the day after we killed them. I have never tried spring bear but I liked the fall bear. As others have commented it is close to pork in its consistency and fat content, at least fall bear is. It has a distinct gamy taste if not seasoned and treated correctly. They carry trichinosis just like pigs so you need to cook them well.

We slow cooked roasts mainly for the bear but did make hamburgers out of the tougher lower leg meat. We also used the excess fat to add juice to our venison, both elk and deer when we made hamburger out of them. Bear's have a strong odor from the oil in their skin and hair, when you skin them. The meat does have a taint of that same odor if not properly seasoned.

When cooking my mother would remove all the excess fat (contains the strongest taint). Soak it in a marinade with salt, Worcestershire sauce, fresh rosemary sprigs, and minced garlic overnight in the fridge. Do not let the meat stand for longer than one hour at room temp. Then cook in slow cooker submerged in marinade on high for six hours. My Aunt cooked hers longer 10 hours on low, I could not tell the difference. I am sure you could find some recipes on line, if not for bear then wild boar from Europe I had some while I was stationed there and they tasted similar. Good luck


Hubcap67: Life is to Short to Drink Bad Whisky
Page 1 of 2 1 2
Previous Thread
Index
Next Thread

© 2004-2024 OUTDOOR SITES NETWORK all rights reserved USA and Worldwide
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.3