Japanese Bear Curry | Wild Game Cooking

In this video, I'm making Japanese curry with some black bear meat. This bear meat was given to me by a friend who managed to successfully hunt this bear in California. In this video, I also share some info on how to acquire wild bear or other wild game meats in Canada and the US, how to safely cook bear meat and of course, how to make Japanese curry.
I tried to share as much info as I could on bear meat and wild game in this video, but to avoid making the video too long, I didn't elaborate too much. Continue reading the FAQ and common misconceptions sections of this description for more info.
FAQ:
1. How does bear meat taste?
It's very similar to beef with plenty of fat. The fat from this bear was very mild and neutral tasting. Bear meat will taste delicious if you cook it properly.
I've heard people say negative things about almost every wild game animal out there: squirrels, wild hogs, diver ducks, etc. The diet and health of the animal plays a big factor in how it will taste but in general, most wild game will taste good if you treat the meat with care when processing and cook it properly.
2. Can I buy bear meat to eat?
You can't buy wild bear meat to eat. Recreationally hunted wild game meat can't be bought or sold and market hunting (commercial hunting) has been illegal in the US and Canada for a long time now. However, I did see a few ranches out of Colorado that sold bear meat before, but it's not sold on a regular basis and I don't know where the meat comes from. I think I read that they farm the bears but I don't know how bear farming works in America.
Common misconceptions:
1. "People only hunt bears for sport", "Bear hunting is purely trophy hunting"
I'm not a bear hunter and I can't speak for every bear hunter out there. But the people that I know who hunt and have hunted bears have always taken and eaten the meat. In fact, in a lot of States, hunters are legally required to take the majority of the meat from a legally hunted animal. Look up "wanton waste laws".
While all hunters appreciate the adventure and experience of a hunt, the majority also value and appreciate the meat that they're rewarded with after a successful hunt. Why put in so much effort, time and money and not take home the meat?
2. "Bear meat is gross and filled with parasites"
Bear meat does have a high chance of containing parasites, most common is the parasite that causes trichinosis. However, this is not foreign to the food industry. For a long time, it was common in pork, which is why it was always recommended to cook pork well-done. Proper cooking will take care of it and the meat is edible.

[@konoctiswigwam8130]

My wife is Japanese so I have eaten Japanese curry and do know the difference between Indian curry and Japanese curry. I had to google roux as I have always thought of it as being the gravy, but you are in fact correct that the roux is the thickening ingredient that is added to the liquid. Funny enough, I just found out that my wife likes game meat better than domestic meat. She has a way of cooking duck breast with soba. I'm currently day 10 on the carnivore diet. Would be nice to score a bear. Since bear season is done for 2023, I'll wait to get a bear tag with my license renewal in July. BTW, that was cute how you made the face when you served it, good use of tomago and seaweed. That is something the Japanese would do for kids, akin to omurice, which is also done for kids. I have been considering an old quad to assist in harvesting a bear, that's not an easy proposition for me as I typically go out solo.

[@truoutdoors]

Looks like my reply didn't post... Thanks for the comment! That's good to your wife prefers wild game, that's more reason for you to hunt lol. Duck breast and soba noodles sounds delicious. I hope you can get a bear next year, I'd also love to get a bear one day.

[@djshuman689]

I love your videos my brother, always look foward to them. As a famous chef once said, "I never hunt for the thrill, i hunt for the pot." And your pot of Japanese curry looks phenomenal 👌

[@truoutdoors]

Thank you for the support! I'm glad you enjoy my videos. Haha nice quote, I hunt for the pot too but the thrill is always there 👍

[@djshuman689]

@truoutdoors Haha i agree my brother! 👍 Look foward to your next vid! 💯

[@Pking4pasta]

Great vid! Have always heard bear is delicious

[@truoutdoors]

Thank you! I've heard mixed opinions. It is definitely delicious if cooked right.