When you might be in a survival situation, keeping your food supply is paramount. Even the best-prepared prepper will eventually run out of food, and all types of disasters and accidents occur that may destroy or spoil the food you may have readily available.
Fortunately, there are lots of animals that eat well, including some you’d otherwise never have considered. And black bears? Can you eat black bears in a survival situation?
Yes, black bear meat is suitable for eating so long as it’s thoroughly cooked. It could be very nutritious and caloric, which makes it an ideal option when you can get your hands on it.
I do know many preppers worry about bears in a survival situation because they’re afraid of being eaten by them, but you must know that folks everywhere in the world have been eating bear meat for hundreds of years.
Find out what it’s essential to know concerning the practice later in this text.
Black Bear Meat Nutritional Information
Black bear meat is surprisingly nutritious, containing high levels of protein and fat, and minerals corresponding to iron, phosphorus and selenium.
It is price noting that black bear meat is, pound for pound, probably the most iron-containing meat you’ll be able to get!
It can also be a great source of B vitamins, especially B1 and B2. This makes it a reliably healthier option in comparison with many other meats.
Depending on if you harvest the black bear, the fat content of the meat could be quite high in comparison with the nominal starting value of 13-15%.
Black bears gain weight in the shape of blubber before winter hibernation, so a bear killed in late autumn can produce meat containing as much as 30% fat.
This high fat content makes the meat very caloric, which is usually a boon in a survival situation where you’ll be able to burn loads of calories yourself.
What does bear meat taste like?
Black bear meat has a novel flavor, often described as being just like pork but with a more “open” or coarse-grained texture and a very wild, juicy, and sweeter flavor.
The taste can even vary depending on what the bear ate; in the event that they have eaten loads of berries or other fruits, the meat will acquire a sweeter flavor, while the more savory flavors come from a eating regimen of acorns or other nuts.
Some also claim that the taste of bear meat could also be venison, and that is true, but that is more a results of the best way it is ready and cooked than the natural flavor of the meat.
Professional cleansing, preparation and cooking will ensure a delicious, delicious meal.
Overall, when you like pork, you’ll likely like black bear meat as well.
Can you eat raw black bear meat?
No never! Any raw meat can contain bacteria or other pathogens that may cause food poisoning or worse, but this is very true of bear meat, which is very prone to infect you with trichinosis.
It is a parasitic disease brought on by roundworms commonly present in black bear tissues that could be fatal if left untreated. In any case, that is the last item you’ll be able to afford in a survival situation!
The only sure method to avoid contracting this disease and other diseases from the bear is to cook the meat thoroughly until it’s well done and reaches an internal temperature of 165 F in any respect times.
This way you’ll kill all of the harmful worms and parasites that may otherwise infect you.
Is it suitable for eating black bear skin?
Yes, so long as it’s cooked, however the crust is hard, chewy, and never very appetizing. Not to say that you’re going to need to undergo a lengthy means of separating or removing fur beforehand.
Considering the massive haul of excellent meat the common black bear will provide, it’s just not well worth the effort.
Is it suitable for eating black bear bones?
Yes and no. Of course, you can’t eat the bones as they’re; humans are usually not adapted to deal with eating bones like other carnivores.
You’d just find yourself with shattered teeth and a ruined jaw to your troubles! Even when you managed to swallow just a few pieces of bone, the shards would suffocate you or pierce your insides.
Wrong way, regardless of how desperate you might be! However, with a bit of crafting and ingenuity, you’ll be able to extract excellent nutrients from the black bear’s large, strong bones due to the marrow inside.
You can cook the bones to make a nutritious broth stuffed with protein, fat, minerals and collagen, which is a superb meal in itself.
Alternatively, you’ll be able to split or saw through the bones and extract the marrow to eat as is or use it as a base for other soups or stews.
Marrow has long been a source of concentrated nourishment for humans and other animals, and is one of the caloric foods present in nature.
It can also be very easy to digest and assimilate, making it ideal for somebody who could also be weak or unwell.
Don’t neglect this useful resource.
Are black bear organs suitable for eating?
They may very well be. Many offal are secure and nutritious so long as they’re properly cleaned and cooked, but some organs, corresponding to the liver, can accumulate toxins and other harmful stuff, making them a dangerous proposition.
If you select to eat black bear organs, make sure that you recognize what you are doing; a bit of research can go a good distance towards stopping food poisoning or other diseases.
In general, assuming a bear is mostly healthy, the guts is all the time a secure bet, as are the kidneys, although the latter are known to taste nasty unless properly prepared and cooked.
Both are stuffed with nutrients and calories and might provide a much-needed energy boost in a survival situation.
Other organs corresponding to the stomach and intestines are edible, but are known to contain loads of germs and nasty stuff like acid and waste.
Again, experience in cleansing, excretion, and preparation could make these organs edible and nutritious, but I warn you against trying unless you are already expert; you’ll still have loads of healthy meat!
What is the habitat of black bears?
Black bears are found throughout North America, particularly in Canada and the United States, although they can be present in Mexico.
They typically inhabit densely forested areas with plenty of vegetation, but can be present in swamps and mountainous regions.
Diet-wise, black bears are opportunistic eaters and eat a wide range of plant and animal matter, so access to food is frequently a significant factor in determining their habitat.
Black bears are generally shy and skittish animals and avoid human contact if possible.
However, also they are interested in human food sources and quickly learn to associate people and places of residence with easy accessibility to food, especially in places bordering forests.
This can result in contact and conflict if bears enter populated areas seeking food.
As such, it is vital to take precautions to avoid attracting black bears while spending time in or near their habitat, or you need to use this information to your advantage when you’re hunting a black bear.
