Trichinosis from Bear Meat

[pianoman9701]

I was watching Meat Eater and Steve Rinella said that 90% of trichinosis cases now come from eating under-cooked bear meat. That's huge. Since Jimmy Dean radically changed the way commercial pork is raised and slaughtered back in the '60s, it's been all but eliminated in commercial pork, which used to be the main culprit.

This could affect a lot of people on this site. Be careful to fully cook your bear meat!
Pianoman

[NRA4LIFE]

I am skeptical about that percentage.  I know quite a few cases come from undercooked wild boar.  There are also cases up in Canada and Alaska from eating raw walrus (if I recall correctly).

[Bean Counter]

Thanks for sharing the tip!

[pianoman9701]

I am skeptical about that percentage.  I know quite a few cases come from undercooked wild boar.  There are also cases up in Canada and Alaska from eating raw walrus (if I recall correctly).

The percentages may not be exact. I doubt that walrus trichinosis will affect the national average a whole lot. The main point here is that you can get it from bears and that many on this site hunt and eat bear meat.

[BLKBEARKLR]

Skeptical about the percentage or not, bear meat is one thing I do not fool around with. All gets ground up and thoroughly cooked before I even touch it.

[Alchase]

Skeptical about the percentage or not, bear meat is one thing I do not fool around with. All gets ground up and thoroughly cooked before I even touch it.

Just curious, how do you prepare your bear meat?

[pianoman9701]

I've never killed a bear but have eaten a lot of bear meat. I've eaten mostly sausage and a couple of roasts, which roasts I cooked less well-done than I should have. I'll know better now.

Now that I have my new .280 and know where some bears are, I may start actively hunting them.

[BLKBEARKLR]

Like said I will grind it all, I will not eat any steaks from it.

I then make burgers from it from the frying pan.

If I am going to use it in anything like spaghetti, lasagna, tacos it still gets cooked in frying pan good and done before I add it.

Joe

[NRA4LIFE]

All the bear meat I have ever processed went into sausage, burger and roasts.  Burger used mostly for spaghetti, tacos, etc., all well cooked.  The roasts I do in the crockpot and is very well done.

[Alchase]

Good info to know thanks all of you

[MtnMuley]

I personally cook all bear meat well-done to prevent any chances. 

[jackmaster]

i love bear meat, the backstraps and loins are all i cut into steaks though, i bread them with pancake mix (dry) i add johnnys and garlic and pepper, then i fry it in bacon grease, i eat it with fried taters and bacon, damn fine eatn

[saylean]

Go get em Pianoman.

I have enjoyed bear roasts, bfast sausage, summer sausage, etc....I always cook it thru and I trust my butcher as well. Its great meat to be enjoyed, but best be cautious on prep.

Good reminder for all.

[Michelle_Nelson]

You can also get Trichinosis from Cougar meat. 

[carpsniperg2]

You can also get Trichinosis from Cougar meat.

  There are only a couple of types of meat that I eat WELL DONE! Both are now listed.

[Huntbear]

Pork and any and all predator meat gets cooked or smoked WELL DONE...  not taking any chances. 

[Jason]

I watched the same episode of Meat Eater, and it got me thinking real hard about eating Bear again,
The thought of eating all those worms is kinda killing it for me
FYI....New episodes of Meat Eater coming starting this Sunday

[billythekidrock]

I have never had a problem or concern other than keeping it cool.

[wraithen]

I eat bacon on the flimsy side, good to know about bear meat but if I ever eat any it will be cooked to taste. Worst case scenario I get some wonderful army docs to figure out how to maim me before they kill me. Then the worms will have a real heyday

[washelkhunter]

There is nothing better than a huckleberry fed bear, the meat is incredible. I know that bear liver is notorious for tric but i dont know about the meat per se. Cook it well i guess. Most commercial pork sold is i believe exposed to cobalt 60 which destroys all organisms.  fresh farm meat at the local butchers i would say no.

[bearpaw]

You can also get Trichinosis from Cougar meat.

  There are only a couple of types of meat that I eat WELL DONE! Both are now listed.

A university study conducted in Montana showed trichenosis at a rate of 14% in Bear and 47% in cougar.