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

[bobcat]

Like I said before, I think cougar meat would be great for feeding the dog. 

[jasnt]

Like I said before, I think cougar meat would be great for feeding the dog. 

+1
Would save ya a little cash too

[lokidog]

Like I said before, I think cougar meat would be great for feeding the dog. 

+1
Would save ya a little cash too

Really? One 40 lb bag of dog food saved... big $$....    What a waste when there are lots of people on this site that would love them vittles.   

[Humptulips]

Read the law. It does not say a thing about having to eat the meat. It says it is illegal to waste the animal. Who's to say that is not salvaging the hide.

I agree though, shame to throw away. Fine eating.

[bigtex]

Bigtex says you just have to bring it home and throw it in your garbage can. That way it won't go to waste.      

My intent of that statement was that no officer would follow somebody home to see if they truely used the animal. Is throwing the animal in the garbage wastage? Well who knows because there's no wastage definition. But it's a lot easier to say that the guy who shot the coyote and left it in the field is wasting it as compared to the guy who threw it in the back of his pickup.

[Simcoe hunter]

Predator meat is not for me, I've hunted Africa several times and the parasite content of predator meat is too high for my taste.  If you must eat it, cook it thoroughly and make sure its handled well.

Ditto for me on that one.  Most recent case of trichinosis in Klickitat Co. Was in 2007.  Gentleman hadn't cooked his cougar as well as he should have.

[Sliverslinger]

Sweet and sour cougar is simply outstanding! Reminds me a little bit of pork.

[timberhunter]

if you do harvest one take all the meat. if you dont you will wish you had after trying it. very good!

[lokidog]

Predator meat is not for me, I've hunted Africa several times and the parasite content of predator meat is too high for my taste.  If you must eat it, cook it thoroughly and make sure its handled well.

Ditto for me on that one.  Most recent case of trichinosis in Klickitat Co. Was in 2007.  Gentleman hadn't cooked his cougar as well as he should have.

Wow, seven years ago... watch out the outbreak has started.      

if you do harvest one take all the meat. if you dont you will wish you had after trying it. very good!

Hard to try it if you don't take the meat.  It amazes me how many on this site are afraid to try different meats like raccoon, cougar, dogfish, etc.   

[MADMAX]

Treat it like pork
Its delicous

[huntinelk]

Pretty tasty the couple of times I have ate it.

[sakoshooter]

A friend has killed two plus I've gotten it from another buddy that's killed lots.
DO NOT waste it. Great eating in my opinion.

[whichwaydidhegogeorge]

Now pay careful attention........ SAUSAGE.  Its all about the SAUSAGE!  Its like crack to this woodsman.

[barracuda163]

Canned for sandwich meat was great, steaked  out and seasoned like I do my chicken breasts   (pork/poultry seasoning rubbed in with some olive oil) and throw it on the traeger was one of the most ridiculously good things that has come off that thing. 

[rainshadow1]

Having found out specifically several years ago, you do not have to harvest the meat. That isn't to say it hasn't been changed, I just haven't heard that it has. (Nor is it to say that some gung-ho warden on a state fund raising campaign wouldn't cite you, you're always taking that chance participating in anything in this society. But to my knowledge, no not required. A specific exception to the legislation quoted above.

Treat it like pork, and it's very good table fare. Hard to discern from pork, actually.

Bobcat can be a little more strong flavored, but still edible in a pinch.