Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Bear Hunting => Topic started by: salish on February 13, 2020, 11:41:30 AM

Title: Bear Meat Spring vs. Fall
Post by: salish on February 13, 2020, 11:41:30 AM: I've never hunted bear before, but I ate some bear stew this past Christmas and it was delicious. I'm now thinking about hunting them. Is there any major differences between spring and late summer bears as far as table quality goes? It would seem like bears coming out of hibernation would have much less weight on them, whereas bears taken in August would have put on some weight from berries, etc. Just curious as to other's thoughts. Thanks.
Title: Re: Bear Meat Spring vs. Fall
Post by: Bango skank on February 13, 2020, 11:50:42 AM: If you draw spring bear then kill a spring bear and a fall bear, decide for yourself which is better. No need to choose, you can buy 2 bear tags.
Title: Re: Bear Meat Spring vs. Fall
Post by: Jonathan_S on February 13, 2020, 11:51:26 AM: Springtime very good to incredible. Falltime it is occasionally terrible but sometimes the best.

Only terrible bear I've eaten had been hitting some carcasses. Even my big sage country boar was phenomenal eating.
Title: Re: Bear Meat Spring vs. Fall
Post by: 7mmfan on February 13, 2020, 12:04:33 PM: I have no personal experience with spring other than buddies that have killed a couple. Everyone of them said their spring bears were delicious. I know my fall bear last year as phenomenal. I'd gladly kill one in the spring and then again in the fall and do a side by side taste test.
Title: Re: Bear Meat Spring vs. Fall
Post by: CaNINE on February 13, 2020, 12:12:27 PM: black bear meat is my families favorite
Title: Re: Bear Meat Spring vs. Fall
Post by: salish on February 13, 2020, 12:19:58 PM: Thanks all, I appreciate the fast answers. Ok, I've got some planning to do. I've been dedicating spring to turkey hunting but I may think about combining them. Thanks.
Title: Re: Bear Meat Spring vs. Fall
Post by: Ricochet on February 13, 2020, 12:35:06 PM: My experience has been its totally dependent on what they're feeding on. A spring bear feeding on skunk cabbage or carrion will likely be nasty, a fall bear eating berries is usually excellent, if he's eating mushrooms or gut piles, not so much.
Title: Re: Bear Meat Spring vs. Fall
Post by: jrebel on February 13, 2020, 03:11:04 PM: Quote from: Jonathan_S on February 13, 2020, 11:51:26 AM
Springtime very good to incredible. Falltime it is occasionally terrible but sometimes the best.

Only terrible bear I've eaten had been hitting some carcasses. Even my big sage country boar was phenomenal eating.

Exactly my experience. Both are very good unless you find one that has been eating garbage or other carcasses. You will know immediatly upon gutting and skinning. If the meat smells like a carcass....don't eat it. Darn sure don't take it home and try and butcher it in your wifes kitchen..... :chuckle: :chuckle: :chuckle: :chuckle: :puke: :puke: :puke:
Title: Re: Bear Meat Spring vs. Fall
Post by: tgomez on February 13, 2020, 06:19:23 PM: Fall bear by leaps and bounds.
Title: Re: Bear Meat Spring vs. Fall
Post by: dmoua on February 14, 2020, 09:40:51 AM: Fall bear are very good if they have been eating berries all summer.
Title: Re: Bear Meat Spring vs. Fall
Post by: D-Rock425 on February 19, 2020, 07:18:56 AM: I've had some spring bear burger that was a little funky compaired to the August berry eating bears I've had. The spring bear I shot last year was made into hams, pepperoni and summer sausage all gave been great.
Title: Re: Bear Meat Spring vs. Fall
Post by: salish on February 20, 2020, 12:49:29 PM: Thanks again everyone.