Can you eat bear meat?

You can technically eat the meat of most bears without contracting any serious illnesses, but I wouldn't recommend it. One, it's probably the most dangerous animal you'll ever hunt. And two, killing one in the wrong area can result in a hefty fine or even a prison sentence.

If you do decide to brave the storm and slay Yogi for dinner, there are certain types of bears you should steer clear of. Not all bears are created equal and some, depending on their diet, might have meat that's either gross or deadly.

What bears are safe to eat?

Ideally, when it comes to bears you want to eat the ones that don't eat carrion or other potentially contaminated food sources. So, bears that feast primarily on berries, fish, and vegetation are the best. As such, you'll want to eat bears that live in resource-rich areas.

Here is a list of commonly consumed bears, their taste, how dangerous the meat is, and the difficulty to hunt and kill. Keep in mind that this is based on my own research. I don't plan on eating a bear, but I don't judge anyone who does so legally and ethically.

Black Bear Meat

Brown Bear (Grizzly Bear) Meat

Polar Bear Meat

Asiatic Black Bear Meat

Himalayan Brown Bear Meat

Sloth Bear Meat

Sun Bear Meat

Of the options out there, the Polar Bear is not only the most dangerous to kill, it's the most dangerous to eat. This again can be attributed to the bear's diet.

Why is Polar Bear meat dangerous to eat?

The liver of the polar bear contains a very high level of vitamin A. As a result, consuming the ice bear's meat can make you very ill. Even if you consume a very small amount of polar bear meat, you could experience hypervitaminosis A.

Symptoms of this completely avoidable condition range from headaches all the way to liver damage. Here is a detailed list of all the nasty side effects of consuming too much vitamin A.

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Blurred vision
• Loss of coordination
• Fatigue
• Skin peeling
• Hair loss
• Joint and bone pain
• Irritability
• Swelling around the eyes
• Cracked lips
• Liver damage
• Increased intracranial pressure (leading to severe headaches and confusion)
• Organ failure
• Death

Not only is their meat potentially deadly, but the polar bear is also one of the most dangerous creatures you will ever encounter on land. These beasts are territorial and have super thick layers of blubber to insulate them from the cold, making it difficult to fend off with a knife if you're cornered by one.

If that wasn't enough to convince you to stay away, it's likely illegal to hunt them no matter what season you're in. Many of these bears have lost their homes due to humans either encroaching on their land or heating up the planet so much it melted their homes away.

If you must have bear for dinner, please stay away from vulnerable ones like the majestic and deadly polar bear.

How should you cook bear meat?

The only way to cook bear meat and reduce your chances of contracting a nasty parasite or illness is to cook very, very thoroughly. Don't treat it like steak or hamburgers and leave a little pink.

You'll want to cook every little bit of life out of that flesh to prevent a trip to the hospital or worse. Be sure to cook the meat until it hits an internal temperature of 160°F. If you want to cook a little longer, I won't judge you. It's better to sacrifice a little taste than fight parasites for the next few weeks.

As long as you cook it to the proper internal temperature you can season it like you would any other type of meat. Submerge it in beef or bone broth to add some flavor and tenderize it then add whatever veggies you want to it.

Is it ethical to eat bears?

In certain circumstances, it could be argued that eating a bear is a warranted action. One such case could be in removing a 'nuisance bear' from an area inhabited by children. Whenever large bears venture too close to children or anyone for that matter, the results can be fatal.

When wildlife officials arrive on the scene, they may decide to use lethal force to eliminate the imminent threat to the public. Once those bears meet their end, the bodies are typically discarded, but what if they were eaten instead?

The excess meat, if prepared properly, could go to someone in need or to an adventurous foodie's dinner plate.

Should I eat bear?

Unless you are starving and completely broke, there are tons of other viable ways to hit your protein goals. Some species of bear are protected by law, and nearly all of them would absolutely wreck you in hand-to-hand combat.

If you fancy some exotic meat, opt for less dangerous animals. Check out my articles on eating owl, iguana, or the adorable possum.