Curious to eat Bear Meat?. Can you eat Bear Meat?.
Is bear meat poisonous and not good to eat?
Is it really hygienic if we eat Bear Meat?
Need answers to all the above questions?. Then read this article.
Can you Eat Bear Meat?
For most people, bear meat consumption is pretty taboo.
In fact, it’s often illegal to hunt or kill bears in many places across the globe because they are seen as apex predators and valuable members of the ecosystem. But can you eat bear meat?
Yes, but there are some things you should know first if you want to try bear meat (or if you want to cook it).
Here’s everything you need to know about eating bear meat safely and how to get started hunting bears!
What Is Bear Meat Called?
In North America, black bears are called bears, brown bears are called grizzlies, and polar bears (which can be either brown or white) are called polar bears.
Outside of North America, people sometimes call both species of brown bear grizzlies. In Russia and northern Europe, it’s common to call all three types of bears honey-eaters since some cultures in those areas to use honey as a sweetener.
The most popular way to describe grizzly vs. black is size: A male grizzly can weigh up to 1,400 pounds and stand over seven feet tall on its hind legs. A male black bear will generally be smaller and lighter.
What Does Bear Meat Taste Like?
While preparing for a family adventure, there is one major thing I want to consider when purchasing any food that I bring with me – flavor.
For example, if we are backpacking and planning on eating freeze-dried or dehydrated foods while we are in the wilderness, we make sure to buy taste-enhancing spices like cinnamon and garlic to help mask some of that bitter, artificial taste most freeze-dried foods have.
We also keep extra ingredients such as sugar, honey, or powdered milk to make things even better! It can make all of a difference when it comes to how much you enjoy your meals.
The Difference Between a Grizzly and Black bears
Grizzly bears and black bears can both be found in North America.
They are very similar in appearance, with an exception: grizzly bears have visible shoulder humps, while black bears do not.
There are also some differences between their habits and diet.
Black bears tend to be more omnivorous, eating fish, plants, and bugs as well as small mammals such as squirrels.
On average, black bears tend to be smaller than grizzlies, who often feed on larger animals such as elk or deer
However, there are exceptions to these rules based on where they live and what food is readily available.
One major difference between grizzlies and black bears is that both species of bear are hunted for their valuable fur pelts but only black bear meat is edible.
Also, Read – Can You Eat Possum?
Is Bear Meat Good For Health?
Most types of bears are edible. The main exception is polar bears, which can have levels of toxic mercury that would make them dangerous to consume.
The healthiest way to cook a big game animal like a bear is by using a slow cooker.
This allows for thorough cooking at low temperatures, resulting in tender meat and less saturated fat than more traditional cooking methods.
Bear meat doesn’t store as well as other meats (because it has so much fat) so it’s best to freeze it right away and defrost when needed.
Thawing your food slowly in the refrigerator will keep bacteria from growing on your food; thawing overnight in cold water will increase your risk of botulism poisoning!
Health benefits to eating bear meat?
Bear meat is typically low in fat and high in protein.
And, it’s not unusual for lean meats like fish to contain omega-3 fatty acids—but bear meat actually contains omega-3s at more than five times that of salmon.
In addition, it’s higher in Vitamin C than orange juice and is also a good source of iron, which helps keep the blood healthy by delivering oxygen to your cells.
Because grizzly bears have diets rich in fruit and plants, it can be tough to find sources of Vitamin A and E—which often come from animal products.
When you do find these nutrients, however, they are present at much higher levels than other meats provide.
Why Is Bear Meat Poisonous?
If you ask us…is bear meat poisonous?. In this section we will cover that.
All mammalian meats will contain endogenous retroviruses (ERVs) and other infectious viruses, which can lead to disease if not cooked properly. Bears are no exception.
While these viral contaminants won’t kill you (if they did, we’d all be dead already), there is a wide range of effects from chronic fatigue to organ cancer.
The most dangerous aspect of eating bear meat isn’t actually health-related though: it’s actually legal issues!
You see, it is completely legal to hunt bears in many states; however, many states consider it illegal to possess or consume them because they are considered endangered species.
So that bear steak you’re frying up might not just be poisonous—it could get you 20 years in prison too!
Can Bear Meat Kill You?
Despite a prevalent belief that eating bear is safe, it’s not entirely true. The short answer is yes, you can in fact die from eating bear meat.
When bears kill for food, they often accumulate pollutants like mercury and other heavy metals within their body fat—which humans consume when they eat those animals.
In fact, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) specifically lists black bears as an example of animals known to contain harmful levels of mercury.
So while your chances of dying from eating caribou or duck are slim to none, think twice before picking up a fresh slab of bacon from your local market.
How to Cook Bear Meat?
In particular, because of its high-fat content, consuming too much bear meat can cause a severe case of food poisoning called trichinosis.
It’s a parasitic disease that comes from eating undercooked or raw infected pork.
A few small cuts are enough to allow for infection and if left untreated can cause long-term health problems.
To avoid becoming ill from consuming large amounts of fatty meats, always cook your food properly and be sure to avoid cross-contamination between raw and cooked foods.
Storage Tips
If you plan to store your bear meat for a long period of time (over three months), freeze it immediately.
Thawing frozen bear meat in water can be risky, because bacteria may develop as a result of residual blood left in muscle tissues and game pieces.
If thawing with water is your only option, use previously boiled water for faster results.
After thawing is complete, refreeze before using. Preparing Bear Meat:
To cook any type of wild game, there are some universal rules that must be followed to ensure safe food handling practices.
Bacteria present on any wild animal hide or fur can cause food-borne illness if it gets into your mouth while eating or during prep work.
Conclusion
Bear meat is very similar to beef, except it has a slightly more gamey flavor. It can be used in most recipes that call for ground beef.
Bear meat can also be cooked in any style that people cook beef in including roasting, braising, stewing, and grilling.
It takes on flavors well when cooking and goes great with strong marinades like soy sauce and barbecue sauce.
Because of its extremely high-fat content, it’s important to cook bear meat thoroughly so that it doesn’t become unhealthy to consume.
