Preparing Bear need help from you bear hunters

[huntlakewood]

I am going to try my hand at bear hunting.

Here is my ?

I was told by a couple of different people that you have to get every little bit of fat off of it cause it would make the meat you cook taste like poop if you don't.
Is that true?

[JackOfAllTrades]

Do you plan on butchering it yourself?  The fat doesn't make it taste bad, (you don't eat the fat layer). It's nearly impossible to get all the fat off. Bear will be more marblised anyway. Yes, trim your roasts before smoking. But if you're talking about getting the fat off as you skin the animal, sure, why pack out pounds of fat? If you're slicing jerky, yes, trim as much fat as you can. -that just makes for better jerky. Sausage? Ya gotta have a little fat in sausage.

-Steve

[huntlakewood]

Do you plan on butchering it yourself?  The fat doesn't make it taste bad, (you don't eat the fat layer). It's nearly impossible to get all the fat off. Bear will be more marblised anyway. Yes, trim your roasts before smoking. But if you're talking about getting the fat off as you skin the animal, sure, why pack out pounds of fat? If you're slicing jerky, yes, trim as much fat as you can. -that just makes for better jerky. Sausage? Ya gotta have a little fat in sausage.

-Steve

Thanks Steve
Yes I do plan on butchering it my self. I never had bear before if I get one I was going to try some steaks, Stew meat, Roast, Pepperoni and summer sausage. I usually add bacon ends and pieces to my mix for deer when I make sausage instead of beef fat. Have you ever tried bacon ends and pieces for bear if so how did it work for you?

[billythekidrock]

I try to eliminate all bear fat if possible. The fat is very different compared to other critters. It "melts" on contact and rancidifies quicker. That being said, a bit here or there is not going to change the taste. Just make sure to gut, cool and freeze as quick as possible and you will be fine.

[dougedoug]

you said poop....

[JackOfAllTrades]

Just make sure to gut, cool and freeze as quick as possible and you will be fine.

That is the key right there!

-Steve

[toklat]

bear fat makes great soap!!!

[h2ofowlr]

Just make sure you get the hide off as soon as possible.  With 80-90 degree weather you can sour the meat really quick.  Treat it like pork and cook it good, so you don't get sick. 

[carpsniperg2]

i take off as much as possible because it tends to be a little more gamey and i don't like that taste but mine go into jerky

[klickitat]

When it comes to wild came I am really picky. If it is white I cut it off. That of course is within reason. The worst of any of them is deer. Deer can be extremely gamy and most of the gamy flavor is in the fat.

[huntlakewood]

Thank you everybody 

[longrange7mm]

I just made 25 lbs of sausage and 15 lbs of jerky out of my last bear it turned out really good. You got to get the hide off and cool the meat asap. Then take as much fat as possible off. after that you can pretty much make it however you desire i tried 2 different sausages and 3 different jerkys all were really good. I think that getting the meat off the bone and cooled asap is key for bear and antelope meat 

[huntlakewood]

Thanks to every one Doug and I are going out on sunday the first. Well if we get really lucky you just might see pics.