Preserving Bear Meat

[Jenny]

Just thought I'd pass this meat preservation method on. It's from our "Old Homesteader" friend, Bud. We usually eat some, then pressure can what's left, but this sounds great! This is how he preservs bear meat:

1. He slices it thin, like you would for any other jerky.
2. You could marinate it, if you like.
3. Dry it as you normally would for jerky. (More on that later.)Make sure it's good and dry.
4. Break it into small pieces or crumble it. You could even powder it if you want.
5. Store in glass jars. They don't have to be refrigerated or frozen.

IMPORTANT: COOK WELL BEFORE EATING.
Unlike moose or caribou, bears can have trichinosis, like pork, so it should be well cooked before eating. Bud said he just takes some out of the jar, sprinkles it in beans or whatever he's cooking, and makes sure it boils awhile before he takes it off the stove and eats it. Haven't tried this yet, but certainly will on the next bear.

I would think the same thing could work for other animals, like beaver and musk rats. But, I don't know how the meat would really taste. I think it would be safe as long as it was cooked, though. To me, musk rats get a strong, disagreeable flavor if they are not eaten shortly after being trapped, but ok in things like spaghetti sauce or spicy stew.

[spirit]

Can you cure bearmeat like hams?How about the fats from the meat,I was given old recipes from my elders in them bear fats were used in many ways.I really like bear with a fruity type jam or sauce.Go goods with rice.Have you tried curring if so how were your results? Spirit

[Jenny]

We've never tried curing it. Bud said he's tried covering it well with salt, then storing it in his root cellar, but it didn't keep as well as he expected. Said he ended up giving it to his dog. I'm guessing the pieces were too big, or he didn't use enough salt.

[spirit]

Since Bear is greesy I thought maybe it could be done like pork.It seems to cook similar to pork! I thought using pepper,salt and brown sugar type cure maybe would work!Anyone else tried this?

[spirit]

I found out today that bear does well sugar cured and smoked liked hams!

[Jenny]

That sounds delicious! Would it keep without refrigeration, though?

[1withNature]

My father grew up during the Great Depression, he was born in 1932. He has told me stories of curing hams in wooden barrels. They'd place the ham in the barrel and fill the barrel with water. Then they'd add salt until an egg would literally float. I have no idea how much salt that'd take.

Another way they preserved meat was to thoroughly cook the meat, then they'd place the cooked meat in clay crocks and pour the grease from cooking over top. As the grease cooled it gelled and formed a somewhat airproof cap.

Maybe these techniques would work. Obviously it worked on pork. ;D

[smwon]

Again... Mother used to make bear bacon... it was very yummy. I don't know how she did it though and she probably doesn't remember either. She smoked everything... I love smoked meats! But I would, I grew up eating them...

[idaholady]

My Grandmother was Native American.......and oddly enough did not care for bear meat......but when they got one she would can it.....IN her canner.......just like any other meat product........to take away a gamey or wild taste first soak any game animal in a mix of quarter / or Half cup of vinegar(depending upon how gamey) to half gallon of water........soak over night....This WILL remove most strong flavor from meats......
Hugs
Ida