Would You Eat Raccoon Meat?

January 15, 2009

In Kansas City, some raccoon fur trappers are making a second killing off
raccoon meat. One coon, which feeds four to five, goes for anywhere between $3 and $7. And while the game isn't USDA inspected, some scientists are saying it's one of the healthiest meats to eat.

Have you ever eaten raccoon meat? Do you think the practice of eating raccoons should be considered any differently from eating other game, like squab or elk?

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100 Comments

remingmp 1 year

I've tried raccoon from the wild (Adirondack Mountains), and as to the taste, its similar to mild pork with a texture more like beef brisket. Regardless, I'd eat it again given the chance.

bossloper 1 year

Meat's meat, WAUGHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

2 years

I was just thinking of setting up a trap and catching one to eat it, instead of having to go to the store for steak, but it would be sad killing it

2 years

We have been eating Racoon since i was a little boy, it's delicious. BBQ with crushed red pepper/vinegar, baked or stewed with onions and parsley/sage is just awesome.

2 years

meat is what allowed the Human brain to evolve to what we are today. I have hunted and eaten every animal I have ever killed. Its what makes us the top of the food chain. A Racoon is no different then a rabbit a steer or any other protein from the flesh. I think if it it ever returned to eat to survive many would stand in line for a bowl of racoon stew. Now the neighbors kitty might be a last resort but not out of the question.

2 years

I live on a pond and have trapped over 200 raccoons and opossum and skunks. The raccoons carry so many parasites and disease I would never attempt to eat them.

3 years

why would anyone want to eat a raccon that is very wrong. Can't you get sick from eating that shit. NO WAY!!!!!!!

3 years

lol some of yall are funny.Some of the things some of you put in your mouth but your grossed out by just giving coon a try oh come on lol.Juice of a root an a end of a gut some of you know what im saying

3 years

Come on people, stop being silly. All you people screaming "NO WAY", just think about how many insects you eat a year in your sleep. How many roaches and other insects get ground up in beef on average. Heck I even ate a burrito one time and pull out a cricket leg with barbs on it. You should try something once, you don't like it, never try it again. If you were absolutely starving you will eat it, and like it, trust me. Most of you guys need to get off your couches and live a little. You have already eaten a lot worse than a racoon. A raccon cooked just right is really good. Is it better than beef? NO, but it is good. The people worried about a slaughter house??? Is there such thing as a humane way to kill something? "Hold still, I'm going to kill you gently, it's going to be like a dream." LOL!! Give me a break your making me laugh.

3 years

This is a subject I feel strongly about. I don't agree with people who stereotype eating things like "coon", or "opossum", even "alligator" as hillbilly-ish. Thats the same as saying, "black folks love fried chicken and watermelon". Seriously do you think that all spanish folks like "tacos"? Get over your stereotypical bull and try something different in life. We as adults are in a constant struggle to teach our young to think big, out side the box if you will. If your children see that you are closed minded and bland how do you think they will react when you want them to try pickled beets or brussel sprouts? The whole "cute factor" is just ridiculous. Come on, I can't eat that because its cute? That is not a valid reason to avoid something. Cows are sacred to some religions, but they eat everything else. Vegetarians don't eat any meat. (I have a friend who says shes a vegetarian yet she eats fish?) Hasidic Jews don't eat pork. I will agree with Foxie on her view toward the slaughter houses but this alone shouldn't be a deterrent to eating good healthy meat. (Local hunters and butchers are still out there and will humanly slaughter and butcher most any meat you take them. Or you could learn to do it for your self. 100's of years past as we as humans fended for our selves. Try something different.) Those are reasonable outs to not eat an animal. Animals were put here to use as we see fit. If we were not to eat them they would not taste good as in the case of horses and slugs or poisonous caterpillars. Yes bugs are edible as well and most are chock full of protein and minerals that people pay crazy money for in vitamin form. There are suppliers online who supply "Exotic meat" everything from quail to iguana to lions and tiger. Try something different. Stop saying things like "I tired to eat only things that I can beat in a fair fight. Mano a Hoof or Mano a claw" (what the heck is that?) Andrew Zimmern said it best when he said, "If it looks good eat it." I add to that "if you haven't yet, try it. It might surprise you" walt

3 years

Yum, coon why not, I am a hunter(bow,pistol,rifle,and recently knife) I eat what I kill, I am top of the food chain period. Take on a wild hog one on one with a 7 inch Kbar no dogs, on foot thats hunting such a rush. a male hog tips the scales at 300 plus lbs with 5 inch tusks against my 180 lbs and single blade. vegans be damned I eat what I kill with my hands

4 years

just got one gona frie it up

4 years

I have ate quite a few raccoons and they are quite good and good for you. The idea that humans are not to eat those things that are meant for you to eat is offensive to me. Too many times I hear crap from the left leaning vegan and animal rights camp about the "feelings" and "rights" of animals as though were human. Happy dining

Symphonee 4 years

* sorry Wackdoodle

Symphonee 4 years

Oh yeah.... Wackadoodle totally rocks!!!

Symphonee 4 years

I would try it. I love venison, so as long as I knew it was rabies free bring it on. Like the commercial says "Go Meat!!"

CallMeBoiWonder 4 years

I was raised Amish, so eating raccoon was kind of a no-brainer for us. You have to kill them anyway, otherwise they kill poultry, and that poultry translates into food and money. And since raccoons average (at least in northern Minnesota) 15-20 lbs, that's a lot of meat to throw away. Chances are that if you didn't know what you were being served, you would love it. When its prepared right, it is sweet, moist has a rich but not gamey flavor. It's awesome in stews, or with a dry rub on a spit. And you'd get me to eat coon LONG before I'd eat fish/ seafood. Now that is just gross.

vinman 4 years

I have had Raccoon meat before that a friend cooked and it was delicious. I would definitely eat it again. I feel god put all animals on earth for other animals to eat. Humans became prey to some animals. Humans are animals. I haven't yet but I intend to kill and eat some squirrels and doves as well. They are getting over populated near my home and they will make a great meal as I thin them out. Meat is good for us and I will enjoy it. There is no humane way to kill any animal that you want to eat. Lethal injection is the only humane way and that ruins the meat. So it doesn't matter whether I shoot it or I buy it butchered from the store. I feel I have accomplished something to eat an animal that I killed and butchered my self. I was fortunate enough to have a deer jump in to my fenced in yard yesterday. When the dogs went after it, it ran in to the fence and broke its neck. The police said I could eat it. It is getting butchered tonight. YUM!!

BRANDYNICOLE730 4 years

I'm in the process of fazing meat out of my diet, down to eating it once a week. I will most def not make my exception of the week be raccoon.

corcar86 4 years

perhaps the stigma is scientifically wrong but I have always heard about how dirty raccoons are and how many diseases they can carry and farm raised or not it's just too gross for my unsophisticated-as-it-is pallett

ilanac13 4 years

not only would i not ever eat raccoon meat - since that's just a horrible thought - but i don't eat meat anyway. the thought that there are so many raccoons out there that have diseases i would just be too scared to even go down that road.

merie33 4 years

No problem!

Jude C 4 years

Hey, thanks!

merie33 4 years

Jude I'm not sure if you can buy it online, but there is a number that my Chef gave me in class the other day (I'm in culinary school) It's 1-888-EAT-GAME I'm not sure if you have to be a restaurant to order from them, but they're worth a shot!

bleached 4 years

Raccoons carry rabies... No thanks

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