I am inclined to use recipes that celebrate the meat for what it is, rather than cover it up with intensely flavored sauces. Unfortunately, cat food and dog food are reported to be among raccoons’ favorite meals, and raccoons are intelligent, adaptable and wild animals. It continued as an important protein in many “economically challenged” southern regions after the Civil War and even right up to the present day. Raccoon roundworm infections are very difficult to diagnose in people. Aficionados state that although it is rather labor-intensive to prepare, it is worth the time. http://www.seriouseats.com/2012/11/how-to-cook-a-raccoon-the-south.html • 4 cups water • 1 tsp seasoned salt • 1 5-lb raccoon Do raccoons eat meat? Because of their resourcefulness, raccoons can eat almost anything. • 1 stalk celery, diced When she catches smaller ones, about two metres long, she uses a mercury testing kit she bought online to confirm they're safe to eat. Food is the main reason raccoons have taken over your yard and home. They each had expensive coon dogs; blue ticks, black and tans, red bones always in pursuit of a better dog much to mother’s dismay. Just make sure that you are processing a raccoon that looks and ‘feels’ healthy, and keep in mind that some raccoons have fleas. In most cases, the wild raccoons have the advantage of eating s different diet in their native environment. She may merely be foraging longer hours to support her young, visiting a garden while your dogs are indoors, or moving to a new location. Discard water. They were originally forest animals. Distributed representatives of the genus in North, Central and South America to the north of Argentina. Do raccoons eat cats? Thanks for catching that error! But, I assume back in the day when the man spent most of his day hunting for food and the wife stay home and take care of the milk cow and chickens. Raccoons eat food leftovers in garbage cans, pet food, birdseed, and crops in your yard. • 2 large sweet potatoes, sliced in chunks or cubed Making your own simple and inexpensive homemade fertilizers can be…, How to Germinate Peach Pits (and Why You Should), Discover how to germinate peach pits and save money by…, 12 Uses for Rose Petals — From the Kitchen to the…, Explore the wondrous powers of the rose—from relieving sore throats…, http://www.seriouseats.com/2012/11/how-to-cook-a-raccoon-the-south.html. Answer Save. One reason often cited is that most of us live in urban areas and raccoon that live near humans tend to eat our waste and garbage. Favorite Answer. Certain plants will even make them feel ill, such as species found in the Nightshade family. I have a friend who likes coon so I think I’ll join him. 6 Years. As it is with geese, this is something you really don’t want to see. Raccoon will eat almost anything, but are particularly fond of creatures found in water – clams, crayfish, frogs, fish, and snails. Hogs will not eat and crap in the same area. • 2 tsp salt Usually, they hunt much more in the springtime, since nuts, fruits, and vegetables are scarce or not yet available. If they don’t wash their hands, they may later transfer the eggs to their mouths. No it is not safe It's not worth taking the risk of eating it. During the 20th century, coons were introduced to other parts of the globe, and they now have an extensive presence in countries like France, Ireland, Germany, Russia, and Japan. Yes. We will need to reduce or increase the amount they eat according to their levels of physical activity. Historically, baked raccoon was once a favorite and treasured holiday treat for many southerners though it has all but disappeared from the southern dinner table in recent years. Is Raccoon Good To Eat Preparing Raccoon To Eat Raccoon Recipes Can You Eat A Raccoon. All must be properly cleaned and cooked. 3 0. • 3 large onions Since raccoons are omnivores they have teeth capable of tearing plants and meat alike, very similar to our own tooth structure with incisors, canines and molars. Someone from church trapped a coon for my son to make a coonskin cap, and after we skinned it we put it in the crock pot overnight like we would chicken or a roast. The excessive deposit of feces in the swimming pool, yard, or other areas around your property. • 2 turnips, cubed It was hunted off their land. A growing bank of research is finding a connection between meat intake and diseases like cancer. However, carrots are listed in the recipe, but not the ingredient list. People may encounter the eggs through direct contact with raccoon droppings or by touching a contaminated area or object. It doesn't matter if you pu… “During grad school, my roommate and I ate 32 coons one winter. While you may not see fresh or frozen whole raccoon in your local supermarket, the meat is … One raccoon aficionado I spoke to at a farmer’s market, Mr. Franklin James, said, “Look here, I grew up eating raccoon with sweet potatoes, and you gotta know that once you put those sweet potatoes around him, maybe add some onions, and you bake him, OH my, let me tell you, you have a good eat there. Go to out of the way li’l eateries. If you leave it outside during the night, it is entirely possible that a raccoon will come by and eat it. My husband found 4 in our shed out back looking for food last spring. And yes, hogs will root at a cow to make it get up, and then when the cow craps, the hog will eat the cow crap. The first sensible, not ignorant comment. A diet of garbage does not automatically mean foul meat; after all, the pig has served as a human-waste-to-protein recycler for all of history. A lot more people eat pig meat (pork) which (I believe) can be a source if not cooked properly. Is raccoon meat halal? Now I will have to try it. Other Foods. They smell food, come see what you have, and eat whatever they can find. If the worms can be killed before they migrate through the body, there’s a very good chance that the disease will be prevented. Lv 4. Killer Me. They are excellent in adapting to their environment. Marjory has always said, “Don’t ask if you have raccoon, ask where is the nearest raccoon?” The raccoon is a mammal native to North America and can be found throughout the United States, except for parts of the Rocky Mountains, and southwestern states like Nevada, Utah, and Arizona. They are always looking for food, especially at night, so if you offer them food that they will like, you will get to see them play and be entertained. I’d argue that raccoons are the ultimate opportunists. An older raccoon will continue to eat a variety of foods as explained above. The structure of their teeth is the same as ours. The animal receives most of the information about the environment with the help of touch. The simple fact is that while primarily hunted for their fur, raccoon were, for hundreds of years, also a source of food for Native Americans. Whether you are the best friend of your pets or a wildlife lover, this article will help you to find the answer to the question… No one ever talks about that. raccoon, cut into serving pieces Other animals may become infected by eating an infected animal or through contact with the feces of an infected animal. The young and elderly are particularly susceptible. The dangers of chemicals and pesticides you mentioned from urban coons is the tip of an iceberg. I only cook a coon that looks young and healthy – I’d rather it be small than old enough to potentially have a large build-up of toxins. Bake at 325 degrees for 50 – 60 minutes. It can also be found in parts of Canada, Mexico and the northern-most regions of South America. It will not be offered if you’re a stranger or don’t go out of your way to inquire. Known endearingly to some as the “other dark meat,” raccoon is some of the healthiest meat you can eat, according to furbearer resource biologist Jeff Beringer. I am sure considering long history of eating racoon in the United States, including being a favorite of Mark Twain, that there must be some good recipes out there that you might have found worth trying. Raccoons are omnivores, which means they eat a little bit of everything. Ifishsum, Obturation, FL-NC and 2 others like this. The majority of their diet consists of worms, insects and other invertebrates. Still, be on the lookout for any unusual behavior and, if you get a raccoon from someone else, make sure you know exactly where it comes from. “Raccoon meat is some of the healthiest meat you can eat,” says Jeff Beringer, a furbearer resource biologist with the Missouri Department of Conservation. Amar Saleem. Technically the answer would have to be yes. • 3 cloves garlic, sliced • 3 bay leaves There is also some info on eating coon in some of the would you eat road kill blogs. Being omnivores, raccoons need to be adapted for eating both meat and plant food. In the second half of summer and in autumn he prefers vegetable food. Is Raccoon Safe To Eat Where To Buy Raccoon Meat. The main thing to remember is cut all the fat off that you possibly can before cooking!! Just giving dog food will not do. Their paws are good for inspecting whatever food they find, and picking away any pieces they don’t want to eat. Raccoon, along with foxes (red and gray), skunks, and bats are considered a primary carrier of the rabies virus in the United States. I’m asked many times if I eat the animals I trap and the answer is occasionally I do. To my taste, the meat tasts slightly sweet and just does not suit my personal palate. We should also dispel the myth that a raccoon seen in daytime is rabid, If you see a raccoon in your yard during the day, don’t panic, chances are that it is a female and she is not necessarily sick or dangerous. My father, grandfather and 4 of my father’s brothers were big coon hunters. No matter how old it is it comes out tender. 3.) And finally a recipe for Raccoon Stew that was supposedly served at Monte Cello, the home of our nation’s third President, and author of the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson. How-Tos. One recipe on the web said to pressure cook it for 30 minutes… The meat was essentially mush and tasteless. They are also quite smart. Location: Southern New England, seaside, avg yearly rainfall 41.91 in, zone 6b . Serve and enjoy! I wouldn't have handled the chicken. Matu Collins. One bit of good news is that according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, only one human has ever died from the raccoon strain of rabies. Raccoon dogs are omnivores (eat plants and meat). I guess you could still eat them in summer, but, since we are not in a survival situation, fleas and ticks make the meat seem less appealing. You might be surprised to know that raccoon meat made it into the first edition of The Joy of Cooking in 1931. The average raccoon measures about 3 feet long – including a bushy, ringed tail – and weighs 15 to 40 pounds. The fat is wild tasting & gritty. Thanks for the article. Joined: Jul 9, 2019 Messages: 1,307 Location: Orlando Fl. He chased them out & closed up the hole in the fence they came through. The male raccoon, called a boar, is slightly larger than the female, known as a sow. I have eaten raccoon and my personal preference is to BBQ them. Tropical raccoons eat a lot of crabs. The meat is quite good if this is done, if not, it is disgusting and basically inedible. If you have any friends who are hunter/trapper types – talk to them about it! Raccoons came after the food, nothing else, just for something to eat. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and cook until veggies are tender. My father said he had been going on these yearly hunts with his elders since a child. It is not a "wild" taste nor an offensive taste but I just don't praticularly care for it. Canine teeth are long and sharp, designed primarily for tearing food. All in all, raccoon is totally edible, and I would not hesitate to eat it again. Wild hunted meat (often called game meat or bush meat) still remains a primary food source for many native peoples throughout the world. Despite what you might think, raccoon tastes pretty good when cleaned and cooked properly. Thanks! Their diet consists of fish, frogs, birds and their eggs, amphibians, reptiles, small invertebrates, fruit, seeds, nuts and berries. • salt. But none of the young people know how to do that anymore.”. Specifically, their process of grinding and tearing food is similar to us. The eggs can only develop into worms when they’re in an animal’s body, but the eggs are hardy and may survive for years in soil, sand, or water. But why? Of course we’re country and didn’t to much worry about toxins etc. somethingbenign said: ↑ It is on my list to try. Like squirrel, it’s a tough meat that is best prepared when tenderized. In short, wherever these critters are, they can surely survive. While I don’t deny that a raccoon would eat a squirrel, it just seems like a lot more work than what its worth. They have adapted well to living in geological habitats. 79. If raccoons live near people, they willingly dig in the garbage. 3 Answers. If in fact it … As a chicken farmer in a relatively unpolluted part of the Pacific Northwest, I follow my husband’s ancient copy of Joy of Cooking to brine and boil the local coon and then bake them with a garlic/soya/tomato sauce. I make home made BBQ sauce, cover the meat with it and bake the meat @ 300° for 2 -1/2hours. Therefore, they also eat meat. Add the wine, onions, bay leaves, salt, pepper and garlic. Recipes. Okay, so technically we can eat them, but should you eat them? I skin all my own raccoons anyway, so this wasn’t a big deal to me. They have been known to kill chickens, bluebirds, and wood ducks. Adjust seasoning if needed. Also note that a rabid raccoon will not usually be feeding, so if the raccoon is getting your chickens he is probably fair game! The easier the prey is to catch, the more attractive it becomes to a raccoon. Raccoon are the primary host of this roundworm, which is commonly found in their small intestines. Smoked Raccoon . There are more problems associated with raccoons, but these are the most common that you’ll experience. Priceless! As always, if it makes you uncomfortable for safety reasons, not just because it's raccoon don't eat it. It was often used on special occasions as a festive meal. It has been noted in historical documents that barbecued raccoon was a traditional food on American farms, we learned to eat it from the friendly Natives our original settlers first encountered. The raccoon is an omnivore meaning they eat meat/animals and greens/vegetation. If in fact it … Lv 6. The first edition of The Joy of Cooking, released in 1931, contained a recipe for preparing raccoon. The parasite has also been found in mice, squirrels, rabbits, birds, woodchucks, and dogs. Their diet varies every season, and they will eat everything from fruits and nuts to insects and amphibians. 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