As preppers, one of the most important skills we can have is the ability to forage for and hunt our own food in times of emergency or crisis. While there are many types of game animals that are commonly hunted and eaten, one animal that is often overlooked is the coyote.
But can you eat coyote meat? In this post, we’ll explore the topic in depth and provide some tips and advice for preppers who are planning to eat coyote meat.
There are several reasons why people were cautious about eating coyote that includes its poor hygiene and its omnivorous nature where it consumes about anything and everything.
If you are wondering, can you eat coyote meat? Read below to get all the details you need.
How does coyote meat taste?
In terms of taste and texture, coyote meat is similar to other game meats such as venison or wild boar. It has a rich, earthy flavor and can be quite lean and tough if not prepared properly.
Hunters agree that coyotes have better taste during the winter when their diet has been controlled as opposed to the coyotes that are active during the hot summer.
It however relies on carcasses and rotting meat that are plentiful during summer and that makes their meat rigid and develop a strong flavor.
There are however some variations that can be made with the cooking techniques that can help you improve how the meat tastes as you will later find out.
How much meat do you get from a coyote?
Hunters have noted that an adult healthy coyote can have as much as 18 lbs. of meat which is a lot of meat for campers or hunters in the wild.
People are now opening up to the concept of coyote meat not just for its taste after preparation but also for the large distribution of coyotes all around the world. They have become a perfect solution for the surging food insecurity problems around the world.
Did you know that coyote meat is also nutritious and remains a sustainable source of food for many communities? Hunting them during the winter season is perfect for their rich protein meat amid times of food scarcity due to the snow and cold.
Communities near the jungles and forests inhabited by coyotes majorly rely on it during the cold winter even though a few restaurants are finding it profitable to include this game meat among others on their menus.
How to cook coyote meat
If you intend to eat coyotes to supplement your food stores, you’ll need to know how to prepare it properly.
Some variations are done with the cooking methods used based on whether you are cooking coyote meat in the summer or during winter. During summer, hunters or campers should soak coyote meat in brine after hunting and killing it.
This is necessary for making the coyote meat tender and tastier before you start cooking it. Brine in addition to garlic and ginger also cleanses the meat from bacteria that will also improve how the coyote meat tastes.
To make the meat more tender and palatable, it’s recommended to marinate it in a mixture of vinegar, oil, and herbs or spices for several hours before cooking. Slow-cooking methods such as stewing or braising can also help to break down the meat and make it more tender.
Start chopping the coyote meat to desired bits and use dripping options like bacon to give it a rich-tasting stew. It is also at this stage where it can be ground to minced meat based on how you want it.
For grilled meat lovers, marinating the chunks of coyote meat is the next step. The best marinating options include apple cider vinegar or even oil vinegar as a marinade. Ensure the chunks of meat have soaked for several hours to not only soften the meat but also give it the desired flavor.
There are plenty of coyote recipes online:
Cajun Coyote Recipe — for the Grill
In truth, you could probably substitute lean beef recipes with coyote.
Coyote meat nutrition
A lot of people do not consider game meat perfectly safe or nutritious, however coyote meat has proven different. There are nutritious elements that your body can benefit from when you eat coyotes.
Coyote meat is well known for its low fat and cholesterol content which makes it more nutritious than supermarket meats. It is for instance very rich in proteins and riboflavin. The game meat furthermore has high-quality amounts of zinc and iron content that your body can benefit from.
Lastly, people that rely on coyote meat benefit from the high-quality vitamin B12 content in them.
The legality surrounding coyote hunting
As much as coyote hunting for sport and game meat is legal in most countries, some restrictions differ from one state to another regarding the legality.
In many areas, coyote hunting is regulated by state and local laws, and hunters may need a license or permit to hunt coyotes legally.
It’s important to do your research and follow all applicable laws and regulations to avoid fines or other legal repercussions.
Other thoughts on harvesting Coyote
In addition to the safety and legal considerations, it’s also important to think about the ethics of hunting and eating coyote.
While coyotes are often considered pests and are hunted for population control purposes, they are also intelligent and social animals that play important roles in their ecosystems.
If possible, it may be more ethical to seek out other sources of food before resorting to hunting coyotes.
Are there any side effects to eating coyote meat?
The rule is simple for cooking all types of game meat, be careful and cook for a long time. Coyote meat is especially unique because poor preparation or handling can have adverse side effects on you.
Different types of complications result from poor handling and preparation of coyote meat which include the following highlighted below.
Never eat raw meat in the wild, whether it’s wild coyotes or hogs. It’s better to be safe than sorry. Diarrhea and vomiting will decrease your hydration levels creating other health issues.
Trichinosis
Trichinella is a microscopic parasite often found in wild animals like coyotes, bears, racoons, and even hogs. Coyotes can either carry these parasites or not but regardless the safety of the meat will be improved by proper cooking.
Exposure to high temperatures for longer periods when cooking eliminates the trichinella parasites hence making the meat safer for consumption.
What is trichinosis?
This is a condition that makes people sick after they consume coyote meat infected with trichinella parasites. It manifests in different signs and symptoms that include fatigue, bloating, muscle pains, abdominal cramps, nausea, and even diarrhea in severe cases.
Ensure that coyote or any other game meat is properly cooked at not less than 165 F temperatures to rid it of any contaminants and parasites.
This is especially important when dealing with the thickest parts of meat that need proper boiling for safety purposes.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while it is possible to eat coyote in times of emergency or crisis, it’s not something that should be taken lightly. Coyote can be tough, gamey and may be contaminated with toxins or pathogens if not prepared properly.
Coyotes are known carriers of a variety of diseases, including rabies, which can be transmitted to humans through contact with infected bodily fluids.
Additionally, coyotes are often hunted as pests and are exposed to a variety of toxins and pollutants that can accumulate in their bodies over time.
Hunters should always follow applicable laws, regulations and should consider the ethics of hunting and eating coyote before doing so.
If you do find yourself in a survival situation where coyote is the only available food source, make sure to thoroughly cook the meat and remove any visible fat or connective tissue to ensure its safety.
With the right preparation techniques, coyote can be a viable source of nutrition in times of need and supplement your food preps.
You can check out our other survival food articles to learn about other sources of nutrition.
