Forums46
Topics551,812
Posts9,896,794
Members88,149
|
Most Online28,231 Feb 7th, 2025
|
|
|
Soft shell turtles
#2230795
04/07/11 03:03 PM
|
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 17,104
Closed Traverse
OP
THF Celebrity
|
OP
THF Celebrity
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 17,104 |
Is it legal to keep em and eat em??? 
|
|
|
Re: Soft shell turtles
[Re: Closed Traverse]
#2230869
04/07/11 03:42 PM
|
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 7,850
kdub
THF Trophy Hunter
|
THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 7,850 |
The way I read it, it is legal, you just have to have a permit for them if you are selling them for commercial purposes.
Nongame and Other Species NONGAME ANIMALS (Includes, but is not limited to the following): Armadillos* Bobcats* Coyotes* Flying squirrels Frogs Ground squirrels Mountain lions Porcupines Prairie dogs Rabbits Turtles Does not include feral hog (see Exotic Animals and Fowl). No closed season. These animals may be hunted at any time by any lawful means or methods on private property. Public hunting lands may have restrictions. A hunting license is required. *BOBCAT pelts sold, purchased, traded, transported or shipped out of state must have a pelt tag (CITES) attached. A pelt tag must be attached prior to being transported or shipped out of this state. Pelt tags may be obtained from any permitted bobcat pelt dealer, or TPWD Regional & Field Law Enforcement Offices. For additional information contact TPWD (800) 792-1112, menu 7, option 9 or (512) 389-4481. Live *COYOTES are currently under a statewide rabies quarantine that prohibits them from being transported or sold in Texas (see exceptions). For information on the rabies quarantine, visit the Texas Department of State Health Services Infectious Disease Control Unit Web site. *ARMADILLOS: Possession and sale of live armadillos is restricted. No person may possess a diamondback terrapin at any time. No person may hunt (capture, trap, take, or kill) any wild animal or wild bird on a public road or the right-of-way of a public road. POSSESSION AND SALE OF CERTAIN NONGAME WILDLIFE The take of any nongame species for commercial purposes (sale, offer for sale, barter, or exchange) from public lands or waters is unlawful. Provided the appropriate permit has been obtained, red-eared slider, common snapping turtle, and softshell turtle may be taken from private water for commercial purposes; however, the take or possession of any other species of turtle for commercial activity is unlawful.
|
|
|
Re: Soft shell turtles
[Re: Closed Traverse]
#2230897
04/07/11 03:54 PM
|
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 8,719
cameron00
THF Trophy Hunter
|
THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 8,719 |
Are they good?
Not sure why you'd want to.
|
|
|
Re: Soft shell turtles
[Re: cameron00]
#2230913
04/07/11 04:00 PM
|
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 19,100
dgilbert
THF Celebrity
|
THF Celebrity
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 19,100 |
I thought they are only good for target practice, j/k. 
|
|
|
Re: Soft shell turtles
[Re: dgilbert]
#2230925
04/07/11 04:04 PM
|
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 403
Bowtech82
Bird Dog
|
Bird Dog
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 403 |
We skined one out havent tryed it yet
Primos Speak the Language
|
|
|
Re: Soft shell turtles
[Re: Closed Traverse]
#2230972
04/07/11 04:32 PM
|
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,453
JKC
Pro Tracker
|
Pro Tracker
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,453 |
Is it legal to keep em and eat em???  Ingredients 2-3 pounds turtle meat 1 medium onion, chopped 1 bell pepper, chopped 1/2 cup green onion tops, chopped 1/2 cup parsley, chopped 3-5 cloves garlic, chopped 2 tbs Worcestershire sauce 1 can (14 oz) diced stewed tomatoes 1 can (10 oz) Rotel diced tomatoes & green chilies 1 can (8 oz) tomato sauce 2 tbs roux (optional) cajun seasoning mix (homemade, Chachere's or Zatarain's) Parboiling and Browning meat: Parboil the turtle meat for 5 or 10 minutes. Pour off water. If the meat is from young turtle, you can omit the parboiling. Pour off the water. Season the meat with cajun seasoning mix (homemade, Chachere's or Zatarain's). Add a small amount of grease or margarine to a heavy walled cast iron or aluminum pot. Heat the pot. When hot, add the turtle meat and brown over high heat until deep brown and until some of the browning sticks to the bottom of the pot. Stir constantly. Saut� Vegetables: After the meat is browned, remove from the pot. Add the onion, bell pepper, and garlic, and saut� until wilted in the brownings. Smother: Add the meat back to the mixture. Add the Worcestershire sauce, stewed tomatoes, Rotel, and tomato sauce. If needed, add water to cover the meat. Optional Roux: "Sauce piquante" means to cook in a tomato base. I do not like a strong, distinctive "tomato saucy" taste, so sometimes I like to add a couple of tablespoons of roux to enrich the tomato base flavor. To make your own roux, add 2 tbs flour and 2 tbs oil to a heavy pan. Place on medium heat, and stir constantly until a chocolate brown roux is obtained. This takes awhile. Its hard to make a small batch of roux, so I recommend you use store bought roux. Cook with the pot covered under low heat so the mixture simmers (lightly boils). Keep adding water so the meat stays barely covered. You need to simmer long enough so the distinctive "tomato saucy" taste is cooked down to a smooth tomato base flavor, and the meat is tender. Taste and add more cajun seasoning (or salt and pepper) to taste. Add the garnish: When almost done, add the chopped green onion tops and parsley. Serving: Serve turtle meat and sauce piquante over cooked white rice. yes, very good!!! 
Never argue with an idiot. They drag you down to their level then beat you with experience.
|
|
|
Re: Soft shell turtles
[Re: JKC]
#2231006
04/07/11 04:53 PM
|
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,615
MELackey
Pro Tracker
|
Pro Tracker
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,615 |
Seeing this sauce picquante recipe reminds me of a guy I once knew. He was a from college that live outside of Rayne, LA. This family didn't have 2 nickles to rub together, but if they did have 2, they would offer you one of them. Nicest kid you would ever meet. I had always wondered what happened to him and what kind of man he had become. Facebook got big, and EVERYONE was on it, so I looked for him several times. About a year ago, I heard what had happened to him. He was riding in the truck with his dad 8-10 years ago near Momou, LA, and they saw a big turtle crossing the road. Johnny got his dad to turn around so he could grab the turtle. He apparently had in his mind that a sauce picquante would be good for dinner. Details were a little sketchy from there, but apparently the turtle tried to get away and johnny wasn't looking and stepped right out in front of a passing truck. Supposedly he never saw it and was killed instantly.
Not sure why I just typed all that, just remembering a friend, I guess.
Never had turtle, but I do remember Johnny talking often about picking up turtles every time he saw one because they were good eating.
|
|
|
Re: Soft shell turtles
[Re: MELackey]
#2231012
04/07/11 04:57 PM
|
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,009
nichols
Pro Tracker
|
Pro Tracker
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,009 |
Ive heard they are good. But their skin is really tough so its gonna be alot of trouble for a lil bit of meat
|
|
|
Re: Soft shell turtles
[Re: nichols]
#2231094
04/07/11 05:39 PM
|
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 424
FISHUNTER
Bird Dog
|
Bird Dog
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 424 |
Skinned one.....it was hard to get over the smell while skinning. Didn't finish. I had turtle soup in New Orleans a while back. I remember it being really gamey. But the soup I had was some fancy water based soup. The above recipe seems like it would take the game flavor away.
|
|
|
Re: Soft shell turtles
[Re: FISHUNTER]
#2231111
04/07/11 05:52 PM
|
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 60,296
stxranchman
Obie Juan Kenobi
|
Obie Juan Kenobi
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 60,296 |
A group of went fishing one time on large private lake in Maverick County. We went for catfish but also caught 8 or 9 really huge softshells (they were bigger than the top of a 48 qt ice chest). One guys said he would not take any catfish on the turtles so he cleaned them all. When he was done he had 7 different piles of meat and shell. Sorted by texture and meat color. He bagged them seperate. He cleaned the turtles first with clean water and a soft bristle brush.
Are idiots multiplying faster than normal people?
|
|
|
Re: Soft shell turtles
[Re: stxranchman]
#2231128
04/07/11 05:58 PM
|
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 7,467
BenBob
THF Trophy Hunter
|
THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 7,467 |
Tired, Wired, and Uninspired
|
|
|
Re: Soft shell turtles
[Re: BenBob]
#2231134
04/07/11 06:01 PM
|
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 17,104
Closed Traverse
OP
THF Celebrity
|
OP
THF Celebrity
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 17,104 |
I know soft shell is great because ive had it... but we caught one during spring break, and we decided to throw it back because we didnt know the rules about em.
If u get one with eggs in it, those taste good as well.
Remember, this is soft shell, not those other nasty turtles u see everywhere.
|
|
|
Re: Soft shell turtles
[Re: Closed Traverse]
#2231149
04/07/11 06:11 PM
|
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 8,719
cameron00
THF Trophy Hunter
|
THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 8,719 |
Soft shell turtles are just as nasty as any other turtles.
Why do you think otherwise?
|
|
|
Re: Soft shell turtles
[Re: cameron00]
#2231157
04/07/11 06:18 PM
|
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 44,461
rifleman
Sparkly Pants
|
Sparkly Pants
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 44,461 |
I've eaten some in LA, but I always thought it was illegal to keep them from public waters. (Caught a big joker off the Sabine Pass jetties last year, chunked him back)
|
|
|
Re: Soft shell turtles
[Re: rifleman]
#2231162
04/07/11 06:22 PM
|
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 9,051
MaggieMTx
THF Trophy Hunter
|
THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 9,051 |
Caught several one year off banks line we baited for catfish. Kept & cleaned 3. They had eggs so we let the other dozen or so go.
|
|
|
Re: Soft shell turtles
[Re: rifleman]
#2231173
04/07/11 06:28 PM
|
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 13,418
CCBIRDDOGMAN
Bird Herder
|
Bird Herder
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 13,418 |
I was on a Quail lease in west Texas with a bunch of guy's from Mississippi, they brought & cooked some soft shell turtle one weekend, it was awesome. I don't know the laws on keeping them in Texas though.
Haven't had it in years but never spit any out. I am a sucker for happy endings and strapped cowboys.
|
|
|
Re: Soft shell turtles
[Re: Closed Traverse]
#2231195
04/07/11 06:48 PM
|
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 6,074
Justin T
THF Trophy Hunter
|
THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 6,074 |
I caught a softshell on a waterdog at Fayette lake when I was 11 or 12. I thought I had the world record largemouth at the time. What a disappointment.
|
|
|
Re: Soft shell turtles
[Re: cameron00]
#2231263
04/07/11 07:18 PM
|
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 17,104
Closed Traverse
OP
THF Celebrity
|
OP
THF Celebrity
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 17,104 |
Soft shell turtles are just as nasty as any other turtles.
Why do you think otherwise? oo no they arent, they taste good. have u given them a shot?
|
|
|
Re: Soft shell turtles
[Re: Closed Traverse]
#2231273
04/07/11 07:27 PM
|
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 424
FISHUNTER
Bird Dog
|
Bird Dog
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 424 |
Anyone can suggest a restruant that sells softshell?
|
|
|
Re: Soft shell turtles
[Re: JKC]
#2231362
04/07/11 08:17 PM
|
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 392
Budgeteer
Bird Dog
|
Bird Dog
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 392 |
Is it legal to keep em and eat em???  Ingredients 2-3 pounds turtle meat 1 medium onion, chopped 1 bell pepper, chopped 1/2 cup green onion tops, chopped 1/2 cup parsley, chopped 3-5 cloves garlic, chopped 2 tbs Worcestershire sauce 1 can (14 oz) diced stewed tomatoes 1 can (10 oz) Rotel diced tomatoes & green chilies 1 can (8 oz) tomato sauce 2 tbs roux (optional) cajun seasoning mix (homemade, Chachere's or Zatarain's) Parboiling and Browning meat: Parboil the turtle meat for 5 or 10 minutes. Pour off water. If the meat is from young turtle, you can omit the parboiling. Pour off the water. Season the meat with cajun seasoning mix (homemade, Chachere's or Zatarain's). Add a small amount of grease or margarine to a heavy walled cast iron or aluminum pot. Heat the pot. When hot, add the turtle meat and brown over high heat until deep brown and until some of the browning sticks to the bottom of the pot. Stir constantly. Saut� Vegetables: After the meat is browned, remove from the pot. Add the onion, bell pepper, and garlic, and saut� until wilted in the brownings. Smother: Add the meat back to the mixture. Add the Worcestershire sauce, stewed tomatoes, Rotel, and tomato sauce. If needed, add water to cover the meat. Optional Roux: "Sauce piquante" means to cook in a tomato base. I do not like a strong, distinctive "tomato saucy" taste, so sometimes I like to add a couple of tablespoons of roux to enrich the tomato base flavor. To make your own roux, add 2 tbs flour and 2 tbs oil to a heavy pan. Place on medium heat, and stir constantly until a chocolate brown roux is obtained. This takes awhile. Its hard to make a small batch of roux, so I recommend you use store bought roux. Cook with the pot covered under low heat so the mixture simmers (lightly boils). Keep adding water so the meat stays barely covered. You need to simmer long enough so the distinctive "tomato saucy" taste is cooked down to a smooth tomato base flavor, and the meat is tender. Taste and add more cajun seasoning (or salt and pepper) to taste. Add the garnish: When almost done, add the chopped green onion tops and parsley. Serving: Serve turtle meat and sauce piquante over cooked white rice. yes, very good!!! Probably tastes like chicken.....
"Hee cannot be a gentleman whych loveth not a dogge." --Anonymous, The Institucion of a Gentleman (1555)
|
|
|
Re: Soft shell turtles
[Re: Budgeteer]
#2237004
04/10/11 11:55 PM
|
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 5,517
LonestarCobra
THF Trophy Hunter
|
THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 5,517 |
[quote=Brandon A] Probably tastes like chicken..... Nope, more like frog legs. They are very tasty.
|
|
|
Re: Soft shell turtles
[Re: LonestarCobra]
#2240286
04/12/11 02:09 PM
|
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,921
Armalite260
Pro Tracker
|
Pro Tracker
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,921 |
I caught a softshell on a waterdog at Fayette lake when I was 11 or 12. I thought I had the world record largemouth at the time. What a disappointment. LMAO!!! I bet you did think it was a monster!! 
|
|
|
Re: Soft shell turtles
[Re: LonestarCobra]
#2240544
04/12/11 04:07 PM
|
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 12,922
cable
THF Celebrity
|
THF Celebrity
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 12,922 |
Had one in my 55 gal aquarium for a year. He ate the crap outta some goldfish. Pretty cool.
|
|
|
Re: Soft shell turtles
[Re: cable]
#2240800
04/12/11 05:40 PM
|
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 987
driedmeat
Tracker
|
Tracker
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 987 |
Hey BrandonA! Yes, keep 'em and eat 'em. and you're right - they are delicious!
I've had them many times. They are a pain to clean, but they beat frog legs any day - if you like fried frog legs, you'd love fried soft shell turtle. You lay 'em on their back and run a filet knife all the way around and then open it up. Part out the legs and neck at the joints and fry the pieces dusted with corn meal - just like fish.
JustinT is right, you hook one while fishing and you think you've hooked a huge fish.
|
|
|
Re: Soft shell turtles
[Re: driedmeat]
#2241383
04/12/11 10:09 PM
|
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 40,678
redchevy
THF Celebrity
|
THF Celebrity
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 40,678 |
I have eaten soft shell and it sure wasnt bad... but it was way more work and was not as good as frog legs in my opinion.
It's hell eatin em live
|
|
|
Moderated by bigbob_ftw, CCBIRDDOGMAN, Chickenman, Derek, DeRico, Duck_Hunter, kmon11, kry226, kwrhuntinglab, Payne, pertnear, sig226fan (Rguns.com), Superduty, TreeBass, txcornhusker
|