| Black bear hunting has been in practice since | | | | remember, if you plan on eating any kind of bear |
| Norse tribes killed them with nothing more than a | | | | meat, be sure to thoroughly cook it as it can |
| knife as a rite of passage for a young man. Bears | | | | contain parasites known as trichinella which can be |
| were hunting for a variety of reasons, but most | | | | dangerous to humans. |
| pertain to clothing and food. Pelts were much | | | | The fat of bears has a long history of uses. The |
| sought after items from bears. A bear's fur | | | | Native American's and early American settlers |
| consists of two different layers, the underfur and | | | | both used it as a cooking oil. The fat can also be |
| the outer guard hairs. The underfur is soft and is | | | | used as lamp oil as it only takes about 40-50 |
| primarily used for insulation needs. The outer | | | | grams of it to last about an hour. Some Native |
| guard hairs are just as they sound. They are long, | | | | American tribes used bear fat as a source of |
| thick, and coarse hairs that mainly serve to | | | | medicine. Covering oneself in the substance is a |
| protect the body from insects and dirt as well as | | | | means of preventing colds. |
| repel water. | | | | Another component of bears that has been highly |
| Most hunters today don't care much for wearing | | | | sought after, especially in recent times is the |
| bear pelts, but they certainly like the meat. During | | | | bear's gull bladder. According to Traditional Chinese |
| the Middle Ages, eating bear meat was more of a | | | | medicine, Urso-deoxycholic acid [UDCA] taken |
| symbolic ritual than a culinary delight. The paws | | | | from bear gall bladder, fresh bile liquid, or in dried |
| and thighs were considered to be the best parts. | | | | crystal form, may work for rheumatism, poor |
| The Inuit tribe's primary food source is still polar | | | | eyesight and gall stones. They also claim this |
| bear meat. Contrary to what movies may show, | | | | effective bile is produced by all bear species |
| polar bear meat is always boiled or baked, never | | | | except that of the Great Panda. |
| eaten raw. All bear meats have a mixed review, | | | | Bear hunting of all types is rich in history and lore. |
| as would be expected. The meat is greasy, has a | | | | Perhaps that is why so many are compelled to go |
| coarse texture and has a sweetness to it that | | | | on a bear hunt - it is a way of connecting with |
| requires a certain palate to appreciate. Always | | | | past hunters, probably even your ancestors. |