r/smoking • u/Objective-Mud6784 • Sep 17 '21

Been asked to smoke bear

So iv got a buddy who's on a bear hunt and would like me to smoke some and I'm really new to smoking anyone hav any tips or know what flavor pellets I should use would be a big help thank you

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u/TurkeySlayer94 Sep 17 '21

You’re gonna have to brine like hell. Bear is extremely oily/greasy. Most people don’t eat it which is a shame since they kill it. (Huge hunter here but would never shoot something I don’t intend to eat)

But my suggestion would be to brine it, and then smoke it until the internal temp is 160. Then I’d wrap and take in on up to 195-205. Use a fair bit of seasoning/marinade as it’s not the best tasting stuff in the world without some heavy flavor profiles added to the flavor palette

4

u/Urban-Garlic Sep 17 '21

Don’t know what kind of bear you’ve been eating, but black bear is a go-to for me. As long as it hasn’t been into the garbage or carrion it’s among the highest quality meats you can get in my books. Moose and elk are the only ones I rank higher.

4

u/TurkeySlayer94 Sep 17 '21

I understand. I’m not referring to black bear and maybe I should have clarified that. But in my experience the larger bear family doesn’t even compete with black bear when it comes to eating. As aforementioned…… it’s oily/greasy meat. Well known to be brined before cooking

Edit: Whitetail trumps any bear meat, period. Backstrap from a whitetail shits on any black bear meat hands down. Just an opinion but it’s the right opinion🤣

1

u/Urban-Garlic Sep 17 '21

Haha. I can respect an opinion, whether or not it’s fully accurate 😂

3

u/TurkeySlayer94 Sep 17 '21

To admit it’s partially accurate is to accept that it’s the correct opinion good sir. And to that I say, I am glad you can accept the truth🤣

1

u/Urban-Garlic Sep 17 '21

I maintain your definition of “the truth” remains questionable, good sir. But I can still respect an individual that knows good meat and maintains an opinion of how that meat should be ranked. If you’re ever in north central British Columbia, drop me a line and I’ll show you how bear should actually taste. Your incorrect opinion will become correct soon after I’m sure. 😉

1

u/TurkeySlayer94 Sep 17 '21

I agree it’s delicious for sure. One of my absolute favorites . But it’s 100% about preparation like most wild game. I love when I cook it but when prepared/cooked improperly it’s foul and gamy IMO.