Bear processing question

[Jacob Chapman]

I leave for Canada in two weeks after black bear!
Found out the locker I take my deer to doesn’t take bear until fall (doesn’t take boned out meat either).

May try and find a locker on the way, but I’ll be traveling back on a Sunday which could cause issues.

Considering just taking the plunge to get a grinder & the accompanying items to process my own, but have a couple questions.

1. What all would I need to make bear sausage besides the grinder?

2. What seasonings do you all prefer when making bear sausage?

I’ve never taken a bear before so this is all new territory for me.

I do have a Traeger pellet smoker I can use if that’s part of the process

 

[Jason Snyder]

If you’re doing anything like summer or snack sticks you’ll need a stuffer. If doing loose bulk all you need is a grinder. Your Traeger is fine to smoke it on.

You could also do just lean grind and use it for meatballs, spaghetti, etc.

Do yourself a favor and smoke a roast for BBQ sandwiches. It’s fantastic.

 

[Jacob Chapman]

If you’re doing anything like summer or snack sticks you’ll need a stuffer. If doing loose bulk all you need is a grinder. Your Traeger is fine to smoke it on.

You could also do just lean grind and use it for meatballs, spaghetti, etc.

Do yourself a favor and smoke a roast for BBQ sandwiches. It’s fantastic.

I have a ton of sticks from my whitetails this fall so I don’t think I’ll do sticks, I’ve heard bear sausage is good so was thinking that & roasts!

 

[Jason Snyder]

I have a ton of sticks from my whitetails this fall so I don’t think I’ll do sticks, I’ve heard bear sausage is good so was thinking that & roasts!

I just did a bunch of Hi Mountain Hunters Blend summer. It’s really good. I had to borrow the stuffer. If you buy one get one of the gear driven types (5 lb).

I plan on trying some spicy Italian this fall, and maybe some chorizo.

 

[Dogone]

Cook well. Several people just got very sick eating bear. Shot in Saskatchewan and eaten in n Dakota.

 

[bluesulphur]

I have a smallish LEM stuffer that I use, but some grinders come with a kidney bean style plate that may be used in a pinch for sausage making. Once again, I've never done it but it's possible. Someone else on here probably has tried it.

 

[Steve O]

I have eaten some of the very finest foods all over the world. In my top 5 is a black bear pot roast cooked in a Dutch oven by me…don’t grind all your bear into sausage!

 

[BBob]

Cook well. Several people just got very sick eating bear. Shot in Saskatchewan and eaten in n Dakota.

Outbreak of Human Trichinellosis ...

This report describes human trichinellosis cases associated with eating black bear meat.

www.cdc.gov

 

[Tmac]

You can get by with just the grinder and stuff off the grinder. Not ideal but it works. I do consider a foot pedal switch for the grinder mandatory. That, with your smoker, and you have a minimalist set up that will take care of that bear. A couple meat tubs are nice to have too.

 

[Jason Snyder]

A couple meat tubs are nice to have too.

Absolutely. Good call. I have several big stainless steel ones, but you can pick up plastic ones pretty cheap.

 

[wowzers]

A grinder and a stuffer are some of the best items I’ve ever purchased. I treat them like shops and go as big as you can afford, you won’t regret it.

 

[Bcon]

I turned mine into a few roasts and then ground the rest with some beef tallow from the locker and use it as burger. Fantastic smash burgers etc...

 

[ynlpabon]

Good info here. Will be going on my first bear hunt this fall.