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3 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Emergency services, Nov. 4 ... Our View: Kitzhaber's email privacy argument falls flat ... Gold Hill levy fails; Phoenix, Rogue River measures approved ... Emergency services, Nov. 4 ... Our View: Kitzhaber's email privacy argument falls flat ... Gold Hill levy fails; Phoenix, Rogue River measures approved ... Bear meat is edible, if prepared properly The recent story about a hunter shooting and then getting injured by a bear elicited a defense of hunting as a way to provide food for oneself or family. My question is, do people eat bear meat? I thought it was unpalatable and a source of trichinosis. Comment MailTribune.com Writer Posted Nov. 17, 2012 at 12:01 AM Updated Nov 17, 2012 at 2:20 AM Posted Nov. 17, 2012 at 12:01 AM Updated Nov 17, 2012 at 2:20 AM » Social News The recent story about a hunter shooting and then getting injured by a bear elicited a defense of hunting as a way to provide food for oneself or family. My question is, do people eat bear meat? I thought it was unpalatable and a source of trichinosis. — Dale G., via email Not only do people eat bear meat, hunters who shoot them are basically obligated to do so under Oregon laws, Dale. Like deer or elk, bears are considered game animals, and those killed must not be wasted. That said, many of those who shoot bears are more than glad to get the meat. "I love bear," says Mark Vargas, the Rogue District wildlife biologist for the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. Vargas says he treats most of his bear meat like deer or elk, marinating and cooking steaks and roasts. Other parts of bear are relegated to stews, sausage and salami. Local butcher shops specialize in processing these different cuts. Medford author Tim Murphy has a new cookbook, titled "Flannel John's Critters, Fritters, Chili and Beer," due out in May that will have some bear recipes in it. Bear can be tougher and gamier than other wild meats, so Murphy recommends a lot of tenderizing and marinating and cooking close to well done. "You pretty much have to be a skilled cook to bring out the bear flavor," Murphy says. If you can't wait for Murphy's book, Oregon author Tiffany Haugen has plenty of wild-game books on the market with bear recipes. But not all bears are alike, Vargas warns. Some, particularly old boars, can quite literally be tough to swallow. "Can you get a nasty-tasting deer? Yeah," Vargas says. "Can you get a nasty-tasting bear? Yeah." As with all wild meats, you better be careful about trichinosis, Dale. Trichinosis is a roundworm disease caused by parasites found in pigs as well as many wild animals, including bears. To kill it, cook the meat to a high temperature. Also, a month or so in the freezer will take care of any parasites. It's mostly common sense, though. "I don't eat raw deer," Vargas says. "And I don't eat raw bear." Send questions to "Since You Asked," Mail Tribune Newsroom, P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501; by fax to 541-776-4376; or by email to [email protected]. We're sorry, but the volume of questions received prevents us from answering all of them. MailTribune.com Writer Posted Nov. 17, 2012 at 12:01 AM Updated Nov 17, 2012 at 2:20 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501