If only I had the skill of a taxidermist!


I would have a valuable use for the coons I just trash.

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I would have a valuable use for the coon I just trash.

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I've often thought to do something like that w/ a G-hog , maybe with a small miners' hat & a shovel. My wife brings me back to reality !
 
Raccoon is delicious. Lots of trimming. The fat is a little gamey but the meat is like a rich roast beef. A 25lb hanging raccoon is only about 8lb of meat but I'll spend an hour rather than trashing then if they look like a healthy one.
A friend used to hunt coons with dogs and always had a freezer full. He would slow cook them on his grill over the weekend when I wanted one, man I miss them. Slow cooking them like he did helped with the gamey taste. Mark
 
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A friend used to hunt coons with dogs and always had a freezer full. He would slow cook them on his grill over the weekend when I wanted one, man I miss them. Slow cooking them like he did helped with the gamey taste. Mark
My grandpa "pa" used to raise award winning Redbones when I was a kid. He had many dogs featured in coon hunters magazine. Tricycle Annie and a lot of her pups turned out to be amazing hunting dogs. Sus Vide, cock pot, and basting while slow smoking all have turned out great for me. Haven't tried many other ways but they are hard to beat in my opinion.
 
My grandpa "pa" used to raise award winning Redbones when I was a kid. He had many dogs featured in coon hunters magazine. Tricycle Annie and a lot of her pups turned out to be amazing hunting dogs. Sus Vide, cock pot, and basting while slow smoking all have turned out great for me. Haven't tried many other ways but they are hard to beat in my opinion.
The best part of the hunt was sitting around the fire and listening to the dogs sing. Have not seen or met anyone who hunts with dogs in a long time. I will have to remember the crock pot the next time I get a shot at a coon. Mark
 
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I thought the consensus was not to consume urban or suburban coons. They eat too much trash and other potentially toxic "foods."
I would not eat any coon from a heavily populated area. I have seen pictures from the Kansas city area with hundreds of coons sitting around dumpsters. All you could see was their eyes glowing in the dark. I would be more afraid of diseases due to over population than toxic foods. Mark
 
AI Overview


Eating urban raccoons: a complex consideration
While raccoon meat has historically been consumed in certain cultures, particularly in the Southern US and by Native Americans, Miss Pursuit notes that eating raccoons from urban environments is generally not recommended due to several health concerns.
Here's why eating urban raccoons can be risky:
  • Scavenging Diet and Potential Contamination: Urban raccoons frequently forage in garbage and potentially polluted areas, increasing their exposure to various pollutants and toxins. Some believe that raccoons eating household trash can accumulate heavy metals like mercury, according to a Reddit discussion.
  • Disease Carriers: Raccoons are known to carry several diseases transmittable to humans, including rabies, trichinosis (caused by the roundworm Trichinella spiralis), and raccoon roundworm (Baylisascaris procyonis).
    • Baylisascaris procyonis is a particular concern, as it is highly prevalent in raccoons and can cause serious neurological damage, including blindness and coma, if the eggs are accidentally ingested by humans. IN.gov states the eggs develop into the infectious larval stage outside the raccoon's body.
  • Taste and Texture: Raccoon meat is often described as gamey and slightly sweet, but its taste can be influenced by the animal's diet and can be tough if not cooked properly.
If considering eating raccoon meat, it is crucial to:
  1. Prioritize meat from healthy, wild raccoons: Avoid raccoons from urban settings due to the higher risk of contamination and disease.
  2. Ensure thorough cooking: Raccoon meat should be cooked to an internal temperature of at least 160°F to eliminate potential parasites and pathogens like trichinosis and Baylisascaris. According to MeatEater, a temperature of 165°F is recommended to ensure parasites are destroyed.
  3. Practice safe handling: Wear gloves when handling raccoon meat and avoid contact with raccoon feces, as this can transmit the Baylisascaris roundworm. Promptly and carefully remove any raccoon feces and treat contaminated areas with boiling water, according to the CDC.
  4. Properly clean and prepare the meat: Remove skin, fat, and glands, which can contribute to a strong, undesirable flavor. Soaking the meat in a brine can also help tenderize it and reduce any gaminess.
Ultimately, the decision to eat raccoon meat, particularly from urban areas, rests on individual preference and a thorough understanding of the associated health risks. For most people, it's generally considered safer to opt for other readily available protein sources.