Bear meat

[Johnb317]

There ware some big bears where we are archery elk hunting and there is some concern that
a. they are spooking the elk
b. we may run right into one or two.
My hunting partner says they are a pain to skin and butcher and not interested in the meat (I've never hunted bear).  He wants me to ask if anyone would be interested in a gutted carcass if need be.  (Raymond wa area)
I'm wondering if his assertion about cleaning and butchering is true.  How long could it take to butcher out a bear, throw him in the cooler and get back to elk hunting, and aren't they pretty good this time of year?  Bear burgers?

I want to be clear before anyone gets their shorts in a bunch,  I feel ethically bound to never let an animal go to waste, as well as we follow the laws very carefully.   He just wants to know if anyone would want the meat. 

Thanks

[syoungs]

They are greasy and stinky when your working with them, but yeah ground bear, and bear sausage is awesome, worth the trouble imho, if I was closer I would take you up on the offer for sure!

[billythekidrock]

Properly cared for, bear meat is about as good as it gets in my opinion. I prefer it over deer and rutting bulls. It does not beat a good elk steak, but bear meat is great.

Not very hard to skin or process. Just cool quickly and remove all the fat just like you would any wild critter and it will be fine.

[bendotti]

I'd take the meat I love it.

[nwwanderer]

The key is the time between the kill and the cooler.  You will love the stuff if you can take care of it.

[syoungs]

the only bear I have ever helped process in feild was only about 15 minutes from the cooler, but where I am going next month, it could be much longer.

How long of a window do you have with bear meat before you start to notice degraded meat quality?

[Ridgeratt]

The faster you get it's coat off the better!!
Then get it cooled down, and the fat off it. That will spoil the meat faster than anything.
If you not sure what to do. Quick is to have the hams smoked, save the ribs and chops, grind the rest in to sausage.
Depending on the sex and the age of the bear will also determine the flavor and taste!!

[syoungs]

my dad has done custome processing his whole life as a side business, im spoiled in that regard, if I get one down this year ill make a few steaks, keep the ribs and the rest is going to sausage for sure.

sure is nice having an industrial grinder, walk in cooler and smoker at my disposal 

[ICEMAN]

My family loves the bear meat. Find it greasy, but sweet smelling.

Bear fat is highly valued by pastry chefs as the best lard for light pastry dishes.

[AdnaHunter]

Hell yeah I'd take the meat if you get one down let me know. I live local to that area and I have the pe ell access permit so I could help you get it out too.

[LITTLEBUCK]

Preparation is also key. I have found that cook it slow and low. have had people tell me they cant stand bear meat, come over for dinner and eat bear ( not knowingly and say it is great ), the best roast they have ever had. Like others have said, remove all the fat, keep it clean, get it cool and not to much better.

[Fl0und3rz]

I want to be clear before anyone gets their shorts in a bunch . . . .

Good call.

[JohnVH]

Ill take bear meat over deer anyday

[Bowslayer]

I've had excellent bear meat and it-was-so-bad-you-want-to-become-vegan bear meat. The difference? Dressing out the bear is not like a deer...it's harder. There are scent glands behind the animal’s hind legs you've got to handle right, you've got to remove of all the fat, and then try and skin it without getting hair all over the meat (this is tricky and why many hunters in the south burn the hair off like a hog).

Personally, I love to butcher wild game but won't bother with bear.

JMEO

[ICEMAN]

I've had excellent bear meat and it-was-so-bad-you-want-to-become-vegan bear meat. The difference? Dressing out the bear is not like a deer...it's harder. There are scent glands behind the animal’s hind legs you've got to handle right, you've got to remove of all the fat, and then try and skin it without getting hair all over the meat (this is tricky and why many hunters in the south burn the hair off like a hog).

Personally, I love to butcher wild game but won't bother with bear.

JMEO

Not calling you out, but...  You wont bother butchering bear? This mean you will not hunt them or?

New interesting queestion, would leaving the meat in the woods be considered waste of wildlife? Should it?