Cougar meat - is it legal to not eat the meat?

[Curly]

If I ever kill a cougar I will eat the meat.  I have heard that it is really good.

But, with that said, isn't there a law that says a hunter is not required to use the meat?  I swear there at least used to be wording to that effect in the regs.  I can't find it anymore. 

I thought they said you didn't have to use the meat of cougar or bobcats.  Has that changed now? 

I know some people would be squeamish about eating cat.  I don't think I'd get my wife to eat it.

[idaho guy]

this wont help with washington but in Idaho you do not need to salvage the meat. We do eat it and it is good. I usually make peperoni sticks out of the hingquarters and just steak the backstraps. You could make peperoni sticks out of any meat and it would be good I think but I would definitely eat it if you get one.   

[jrebel]

Tagging

I don't know the answer, though I have been told that cougar meat is AMAZING!!  If I am ever lucky enough to kill a cougar, I am at least going to try it.   

[Bob33]

There is no law.

Use this site to search the WACs and RCWs: http://search.leg.wa.gov/

Enter the search parameters, select "Document", and click on both RCW and WAC under Law Documents.

[Curly]

Does anyone remember when the hunting regulation used to have a statement about not being required to eat cat meat?  I swear it was in there in the past.   

[boneaddict]

I used mine for dog food, so it didnt go to waste. 

[bobcat]

I used mine for dog food, so it didnt go to waste.

That's probably what I would do.

[boneaddict]

I have eatin it barbecued and as jerky.   Not impressed.   If I was starving to death or living out on the mountain, I might eat it.   

[Curly]

Maybe I'm remember regs from another state.  I could have sworn WA regs once had something in them about not requiring meat from cougar to be used.  But I checked regs back to 2001 an don't see anything.  Maybe it was from farther back than 2001 or maybe from Oregon.   

[lokidog]

I used mine for dog food, so it didnt go to waste.

That's probably what I would do.

You guys are nuts, give me your meat, including backstraps next time and I will buy you some dog food....  The backstraps are as good, or better, than any pork loin you can buy and the rest makes good burger. 

  I don't think I'd get my wife to eat it.

Mine loves it.

[Curly]

My wife likes bear meat, but she even has a hangup about eating bear.  I don't understand it.......maybe because I've eaten bear since as far back as I can remember.  She only occasionally ate wild game and it was deer or elk.   

[Curly]

Ok, it was probably the Oregon regs that I was remembering the wording.  Here is what they say:

(76) "Waste" means to allow any edible portion of any game mammal (except cougar) or game bird to be rendered unfit for human consumption, or, to fail to retrieve edible portions, except internal organs, of such game mammals or game birds from the field. Entrails, including the heart and liver, are not considered edible.

Note, they also define "game animals".  Something WA state probably should do.

[Stein]

There is no law.

Use this site to search the WACs and RCWs: http://search.leg.wa.gov/

Enter the search parameters, select "Document", and click on both RCW and WAC under Law Documents.

RCW 77.15.170
Waste of fish and wildlife — Penalty.
   


     *** CHANGE IN 2014 *** (SEE 6041-S.SL) ***

(1) A person is guilty of waste of fish and wildlife if:

     (a) The person kills, takes, or possesses fish, shellfish, or wildlife having a value of two hundred fifty dollars or more or wildlife classified as big game; and

     (b) The person recklessly allows such fish, shellfish, or wildlife to be wasted.

     (2) Waste of fish and wildlife is a gross misdemeanor. Upon conviction, the department shall revoke any license or tag used in the crime and shall order suspension of the person's privileges to engage in the activity in which the person committed waste of fish and wildlife for a period of one year.

     (3) It is prima facie evidence of waste if:

     (a) A processor purchases or engages a quantity of food fish, shellfish, or game fish that cannot be processed within sixty hours after the food fish, game fish, or shellfish are taken from the water, unless the food fish, game fish, or shellfish are preserved in good marketable condition; or

     (b) A person brings a big game animal to a wildlife meat cutter and then abandons the animal. For purposes of this subsection (3)(b), a big game animal is deemed to be abandoned when its carcass is placed in the custody of a wildlife meat cutter for butchering and processing and:

     (i) Having been placed in such custody for an unspecified period of time, the meat is not removed within thirty days after the wildlife meat cutter gives notice to the person who brought in the carcass or, having been so notified, the person who brought in the carcass refuses or fails to pay the agreed upon or reasonable charges for the butchering or processing of the carcass; or

     (ii) Having been placed in such custody for a specified period of time, the meat is not removed at the end of the specified period or the person who brought in the carcass refuses to pay the agreed upon or reasonable charges for the butchering or processing of the carcass.

[2012 c 176 § 16; 1999 c 258 § 5; 1998 c 190 § 21.]

It's on page 81 of the regs as well.  "Big Game" is defined on page 16. 

[vandeman17]

Cougar meat is great. I would salvage every bit I could and cook it low and slow like pork! 

[arrowflinger]

I have heard it was awesome tasting. I think I would bring it out and if I didn't like it, it would get mixed up with some deer and elk for snack sticks.