Butchering Bear

[Summitthunting]

So I bought my first OTC w/ caps bear tag for southwest Colorado. I've searched the web on bear field care and wanted to get some first hand knowledge on field dressing, skinning, hide care, etc. If Ii get one I'm only going to have it tanned for now. Know of any tannery's near Grand Junction, Montrose, or Durango? Once skinned I'm assuming the butchering part is not a lot different than a deer or elk. My primary focus is a mule deer buck, but if I see the right bear its on.

 

[sneakem]

Cutting it up is somewhat the same, little different shape, more like a human body than elk or deer... One thing I do recommend is as you cut, trim every ounce of fat that you can find, the meat is very greasy as is. The better it's trimmed the better it will taste.... the fat is where you get most of the gamey taste...

 

[hornart]

sneakem is right,also remember that the fat also holds the heat in so get it all off the meat and the hide or it will hamper the cooling,,we save the fat and make boot grease out of it

 

[Jezz]

Cutting it up is somewhat the same, little different shape, more like a human body... the fat is where you get most of the human taste...

I know who to call if the zombie apocalypse happens

 

[dan.kirkpatrick]

very true ,get all fat trimmed out or it will get gamey after a couple of months in freezer,,,makes good burger if lean,then mix w reg burger when you cook it.

 

[streamer]

Yes very fatty will turn your hands slippery with grease, it can be very heavy on some. Excellent taste on the ones I have taken in MN.

 

[Caseknife]

You'll be surprised at how small a big bear gets after you get all the fat off. Don't let the anatomy features get to you, definitely looks similar to human anatomy, not at all like ungulates.

 

[greatbasin]

Start your skinning cuts at the wrists and ankles to avoid spiraling those cuts towards the centerline.

 

[down2hunt]

sneakem is right,also remember that the fat also holds the heat in so get it all off the meat and the hide or it will hamper the cooling,,we save the fat and make boot grease out of it

What is boot grease and what is the purpose of it?

 

[sbhooper]

To put on BOOTS! Just cook(render) the fat and make some great grease to rub on the leather. I did the same thing with a bunch of Oryx fat years ago and used it to mix with some other lube for muzzle loader bullets. I never tried it, but I'll bet even deer fat could make pretty good boot dressing.

 

[emrah1028]

Ok, I posted a similar question a while back, but it was concerning bear fat in particular. Now, I've heard it both ways: you MUST get the fat off or the meat will be horrendously greasy and nasty tasting; inedible almost. I've also heard it said that bear meat cooked in its own fat is some of the tastiest meat around.

I recently saw an episode of Meateater where he shot a black bear that was eating mostly blueberries. He said it's one of the best tasting things he's ever had.

So what gives? I realize bear diet has a lot to do with it, but it seams like there are two camps. Those who say bear fat is like toxic waste and can't be removed fast enough, and those who keep it and use it to cook bear meat and every other type of game in it cuz it's so good.

Confused.

Emrah

 

[hornart]

The bear fat turns rancid unless it is frozen or refrigerated,,my mom used bear fat for cooking and it was good tasting,,but she took care to take all of the fat off of the meat prior to processing it..and saved the fat for later use

 

[hornart]

What is boot grease and what is the purpose of it?

I grew up in Washington State where it rained all of the time,,we would use the bear fat mixed with some bee`s wax to weatherproof our leather boots and keep our feet dry

 

[greatbasin]

The fat comes off all my wild game, including bear. So, I really can't say how it tastes. I have read that bear fat is what settlers used as lard for pie crust, that it makes the best tasting and flakiest pie crust...I think I'll stick with Crisco.

As far as bear meat itself, without fat... I can only say it has none of the musky gland smell or dark taste that deer and other big game often has.
When a deer hunter walks up to me in the field I can usually tell if he has been successful from the odor on him after handling and/or gutting his buck. Not so with bears, the lack of odor in the field, for me, continues right on to the dinner plate. IMO, bear is much more like beef than any other wild meat I've eaten, although some African antelope are quite mild, too.

 

[Caseknife]

My Dad killed quite a few bears during the 60's and early 70's and we always rendered the fat out and froze it. My Mom used it for cooking, couldn't tell at all in the finished product, but if you were inclined to eat raw cookie dough, you were in for a rude surprise. I don't remember any adverse taste to bear meat, it actually has a bit of sweet taste, does smell different when you get out the thawed meat before cooking.

 

[live free or die]

last year I shot a bear, moose and several deer. Bear was definately evertones favorite. I agree, get every bit of fat off and render if you like. Is the best lard for pie crusts etc and I use on my boots also.Heard it was prized for rubbing on legs of race horses. Filled my Bear tag last week and with temps that night at 69 degrees cooling down was challenging but I washed well with cold water and packed with ice overnite till I could get to a walkin cooler. Saw 10 bear in one week! They are definately on the feed bag right now. Guys baiting have been doing well.