What to do after harvesting mountain lion

[choppd]

I've been out hunting big game (deer, elk, etc.) and picked up a mountain lion tag just in case I run into one. My question to anyone with experience, is what do you do with a lion after the kill? Are they good to eat? I don't have experience in this area.

 

[Bubblehide]

Louis and Clark have been reported to have written in their journal that moutian lion was the best eating meat on the nirth American Continent. Just be sure to cook it well.

 

[mxgsfmdpx]

I’ve prepared mountain lion for several folks and did not tell them what it was. I asked them to describe what it tastes like and every single person has told me it tastes like one of the best pork chops they’ve ever had.

 

[weekender7]

I haven't had a chance to try it but I plan to hunt one.

 

[choppd]

I’ve prepared mountain lion for several folks and did not tell them what it was. I asked them to describe what it tastes like and every single person has told me it tastes like one of the best pork chops they’ve ever had.

So you can use the animal at least? I was worried that the meat is not great to eat, and I don't much care to mount it like a taxidermy.

 

[waspocrew]

My brother cooked his - said it tasted like pork. I'll probably grab a tag this season and give it a try.

 

[yellowbeard]

Make sure to check the regulations for the state you're in. Some require harvesting the meat.

 

[blackpowder72]

I always wondered if you could eat them
.

 

[RockAndSage]

I’ve prepared mountain lion for several folks and did not tell them what it was. I asked them to describe what it tastes like and every single person has told me it tastes like one of the best pork chops they’ve ever had.

Any special cooking differences to note, or do you just cook it like pork?

 

[justin davis]

They are delicious

 

[Jason Snyder]

Any special cooking differences to note, or do you just cook it like pork?

Yes. Make Chile verde with it.

 

[sportsmans challenge]

I have heard of both bobcat and cougar tasting good

 

[Smoke10]

I wouldn't try it if it was not thoroughly cooked to avoid risk of parasites.
I've used mtn lion burger and made casseroles and then chislic pan fried in butter.
But yes mtn lion is similar to pork and very good in my opinion.

If I get the opportunity to harvest another lion, I plan to take the meat.

 

[pods8 (Rugged Stitching)]

Yes. Make Chile verde with it.

You know I haven't really had any desire to hunt a lion (but support those who do!) but this statement right here perked my interest up a wee bit.

 

[StupidLightweight]

On 11/11/11, we had a wild game cook off to determine the best tasting meat. We had goose, duck, bear, Rocky Mountain elk, Roosevelt elk, moose, whitetail, blacktail, mule deer, antelope, bison, cougar, nutria, and various beef thrown in for good measure.

All meat was ground, seasoned, and cooked the same. Four women served slider burgers to a group of maybe 20 blind taste testers, who then ranked each game without knowing what it was. The top 3 shocked everyone.

1. Nutria
2. Cougar
3. Antelope

Yes, cougar is delicious. I've only had a few meals from two cats, but I recall it tasting like a 150-pound pheasant.

 

[thinhorn_AK]

We used to make it just like BBQ pork. Scoop it onto buns and eat it like that. It’s pretty good.

 

[johnnycake]

Cougar tastes great. If you get one, just take care while skinning it and removing the meat to leave the paunch intact as long/much as possible. Lots of nasty stuff in the guts of a cat.

You also have a much shorter window to get the meat and hide off and taken care of than you do with herbivores like deer/elk. Look at doing a full body soft tan, especially if a mount isn't appealing to you. They are way cheaper, easy to move/store/display and you get to handle and hold it easily if you want. I say that having a full body cougar that I pretty much wish I had just done the soft tan route on.

 

[SuperDUECE22]

they are great eating and as others have said they are similar to pork

 

[mxgsfmdpx]

You know I haven't really had any desire to hunt a lion (but support those who do!) but this statement right here perked my interest up a wee bit.

I make a homemade green chili using slow smoked lion shoulder/neck. I can post the ingredients and instructions if you’d like. Works the same for a pork shoulder you can get at the store.

 

[Harvey_NW]

I can post the ingredients and instructions if you’d like.

Duh, lol.