I always power wash them with soap before I dress them out. Makes the finished product allot cleaner.
Ferel Hog Meat
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Last: 4 yr ago by killbutchereat
Barnes! Barnes! Barnes!BlueSmoke said:One summer years back helping a buddy at his place in dripping springs. Lost a cow, so we went looking. Found her body and hooked her up to a quad and we going to drag her off. Couple of smaller pigs were inside the body cavity. Beyond nasty.GSPag` said:
I saw a pile of about 15 coyotes the county trapped killed and piled during a hot July drought in Childress. They sat for like 2 weeks and bloated. The stink was unworldly.
One warm night the wild hogs came through the area and ate everyone of them. There was only hair, jaw bones, and pig scat remaining where the pile was the day before.
Bon Apetit.
Spare me the holier than thou routine.BrazosDog02 said:SanAntoneAg said:
I was taught that a humane, clean kill was part of being an ethical hunter.
When did the contrary become something "hunters" brag about publicly?
Clearly Not everyone was raised the same. Probably like you, I won't shoot any animal unless I have a clean and ethical shot. Remember the "shoot it in the nuts" guy? Well, there are a lot more of that guy than I'd like to acknowledge exist.
Clearly not everyone has seen their pastures and fences destroyed by feral hogs.
Invasive destructive pests need to be exterminated. Feral hogs in the pasture are no different than rats in the kitchen.
I've considered butchering a smaller sow or gilt pig before, but every time I turn one over to start, they are covered in fleas and sometimes ticks. So they just end up in the gut pile. I think I'd only consider butchering one now if I could torch it with a pear burner first.
I guess you've never butchered a deer before?
They too have their share of fleas and ticks.
They too have their share of fleas and ticks.
Gig 'em! '90
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I've ground up a 225 lb intact boar and it made great breakfast sausage
It's all about the prep, unless they stink then haul them off.
It's all about the prep, unless they stink then haul them off.
SunrayAg said:Spare me the holier than thou routine.BrazosDog02 said:SanAntoneAg said:
I was taught that a humane, clean kill was part of being an ethical hunter.
When did the contrary become something "hunters" brag about publicly?
Clearly Not everyone was raised the same. Probably like you, I won't shoot any animal unless I have a clean and ethical shot. Remember the "shoot it in the nuts" guy? Well, there are a lot more of that guy than I'd like to acknowledge exist.
Clearly not everyone has seen their pastures and fences destroyed by feral hogs.
Invasive destructive pests need to be exterminated. Feral hogs in the pasture are no different than rats in the kitchen.
Get you a big igloo cooler. I quarter up the hog or if small enough you can do one whole. I get ice water with 1/4 cup white vinegar. Let the hog soak in the ice water and vinegar min of 24 hours. I usually do 48 hours and I fresh my ice water every 12 hours.
Then you can do whatever you want with the meat once it's soaked grind it up, cut it up, and so forth. I usually end up putting either a whole hog on the smoker or the whole quartered up cuts on the smoker. Once meat is soaked I'll rub the meat down with my Rub, then on the smoker low and slow over post oak. I do make a mop to baste the meat.
Then you can do whatever you want with the meat once it's soaked grind it up, cut it up, and so forth. I usually end up putting either a whole hog on the smoker or the whole quartered up cuts on the smoker. Once meat is soaked I'll rub the meat down with my Rub, then on the smoker low and slow over post oak. I do make a mop to baste the meat.
^^^ this x1000.SunrayAg said:Spare me the holier than thou routine.BrazosDog02 said:SanAntoneAg said:
I was taught that a humane, clean kill was part of being an ethical hunter.
When did the contrary become something "hunters" brag about publicly?
Clearly Not everyone was raised the same. Probably like you, I won't shoot any animal unless I have a clean and ethical shot. Remember the "shoot it in the nuts" guy? Well, there are a lot more of that guy than I'd like to acknowledge exist.
Clearly not everyone has seen their pastures and fences destroyed by feral hogs.
Invasive destructive pests need to be exterminated. Feral hogs in the pasture are no different than rats in the kitchen.
When night (or day) hunting, after the first (and maybe the 2nd) shot, and they are on the run, it's all about hitting as many hogs as possible, body location be damned.
Excuse me while I go hookup the disc and drag, for round 38 of "pasture repair"....
I have no qualms on shooting a sow, with a bunch of very small (and obviously dependent on her) piglets. Unethical? Nope, a win for our place.
The pic view is about 1/4 of an area I recently found...think we have a reason to hate hogs?
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If you're thrown off by dove meat, you may not like hog.
Personally, I think wild pigs are delicious and they are way too easy to yank the backstraps off to let that go to waste. I've killed many that I didn't eat just mainly for population control, but I wouldn't hesitate to clean one up for the freezer.
As always, use proper handling and you're fine.
Personally, I think wild pigs are delicious and they are way too easy to yank the backstraps off to let that go to waste. I've killed many that I didn't eat just mainly for population control, but I wouldn't hesitate to clean one up for the freezer.
As always, use proper handling and you're fine.
Wow! I say go napalm!
The single biggest thing with wild pigs is to get them gutted and dressed and on ice as quickly as you can - within 30-45 minutes. As stated, their level of stress before death will affect the flavor of the meat. A good clean shot, proper prep and care and speed with processing and you have some good meat to eat out of the pig. The idea that they are some dirty inedible animal is garbage.
They are undoubtedly an invasive species that can do a lot of damage, and shoot on site is a great rule. But don't fall into the incorrect mentality that a wild pig is not a good eating animal, because it's simply not true.
They are undoubtedly an invasive species that can do a lot of damage, and shoot on site is a great rule. But don't fall into the incorrect mentality that a wild pig is not a good eating animal, because it's simply not true.
"The idea that they are some dirty inedible animal is garbage."
They are Kosher / halal right?
They are Kosher / halal right?
I've gotten some good pork off of feral hogs. Just the major muscle groups, though, so I don't actually clean em. A cut down the spine, peal the hide back to one side, pull out the strap then shoulder & butt, then flip it over and repeat. A few days in an iced down cooler and then put it to use.
Of course, I'm an opportunist and only take a few a year. I'd likely lose some novelty if I took more.
Of course, I'm an opportunist and only take a few a year. I'd likely lose some novelty if I took more.
They consistently passed them by and I never could figure out why. They would be on a deer carcass the same day but very seldom ate the hogs. Not just on my ranch but all my neighbors in SW Mason County would say the same thing when we talked about it. Strange.SanAntoneAg said:
Interesting. I've shot Edwards County hogs, pulled backstraps and hams, and then have had the carcass picked clean save for bones and hide by buzzards, caracaras and ravens the next day.
When I was a kid I can remember seeing cows at the city dump eating some tasty crap. Same with domestic pigs and chickens. Back then , every town had a dump where u took ur trash for free and every so often the city would burn it.
Cows will eat just about anything.
Chickens are nasty little creatures, game birds r so much better. Fried dove is as good r better than chicken and my brother came cook deer that taste better than beef.
Cows will eat just about anything.
Chickens are nasty little creatures, game birds r so much better. Fried dove is as good r better than chicken and my brother came cook deer that taste better than beef.
Yea this thread is interesting. Posters oppose ferals but eat chickens, catfish, and crawdads with no reservations.
Like I mentioned in my previous post on soaking the meat in ice water with a little white vinegar. Then changing the water and refreshing the ice for a min of 24 hours. This is what my old German grandfather would do. He didn't waste anything. The bigger hogs he would soak them in icewater/white vinegar up to 72 hours.
Then after he soak them, he'd either grind some of the cuts for link sausage or the meat got Rub. Then was put on the smoker low and slow over either post oak or pecan and mopped till done.
One of those Bavarian German's that made BBQ often that is now known as the Central Texas Style BBQ.
Then after he soak them, he'd either grind some of the cuts for link sausage or the meat got Rub. Then was put on the smoker low and slow over either post oak or pecan and mopped till done.
One of those Bavarian German's that made BBQ often that is now known as the Central Texas Style BBQ.
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This!!!!!
SanAntoneAg said:
I guess you've never butchered a deer before?
They too have their share of fleas and ticks.
Butchered four deer so far this season, and I'm way behind where I should be at this point. I've never had problems with fleas or ticks from deer. Pigs are a different story.
My best guess why people taste something off in feral pigs is because of what the pig is eating or their cleaning/butchering. Or maybe they are picking out something I am not perceiving.
My family had a few goats when I was young. I had to take care of them. I hate goats and can't stand goat cheese or goat meat. I like to eat but I'd rather skip a meal than eat goat. I wish I could enjoy it so I keep trying it to see if anything has changed but I can still smell it in a dish and will eventually retch if I eat more than a bite or two. All that to say, perhaps people experience feral pig like I do goat.
Where I hunt, they have plenty of good water and food. If I am going to eat them, I won't wing them. I want them to drop dead. If they are muddy, I'll hose them off. I'm careful cleaning and butchering them, no hair or dirt gets on the meat. I think the meat tastes great. To me, it's way better than HEB pork.
My family had a few goats when I was young. I had to take care of them. I hate goats and can't stand goat cheese or goat meat. I like to eat but I'd rather skip a meal than eat goat. I wish I could enjoy it so I keep trying it to see if anything has changed but I can still smell it in a dish and will eventually retch if I eat more than a bite or two. All that to say, perhaps people experience feral pig like I do goat.
Where I hunt, they have plenty of good water and food. If I am going to eat them, I won't wing them. I want them to drop dead. If they are muddy, I'll hose them off. I'm careful cleaning and butchering them, no hair or dirt gets on the meat. I think the meat tastes great. To me, it's way better than HEB pork.
Ferals are a different taste then store bought. Think white breast of chicken to the dark meat thighs.
I like feral pig meat. I currently have a ham on the BGE that I brined for a week, and will serve tomorrow. It's from a 90# pig my daughter got this season, which I figured would be fun to serve. I've made the same before, and it turned out great.
Handled and cooked well, it's very good, imo. Have to get it well done without drying it out. Some of my favorites are cochinita pibil and tamales. Ground 50/50 with venison makes very good chili, etc. Add fat and make sausage, especially for sausages that you don't want the venison flavor to be front and center (eg, I don't care for venison breakfast sausage, so I use hog).
The hide is a pain to get off. Would love to try scalding one some day, but I've never done it on any animal. Tried the pear burner once, but gave up because it seemed to just make a smelly mess. The other thing I find annoying about cleaning them is that the pelvis is narrower than deer, so it's tougher to get the rectum and anus mobilized and out.
Handled and cooked well, it's very good, imo. Have to get it well done without drying it out. Some of my favorites are cochinita pibil and tamales. Ground 50/50 with venison makes very good chili, etc. Add fat and make sausage, especially for sausages that you don't want the venison flavor to be front and center (eg, I don't care for venison breakfast sausage, so I use hog).
The hide is a pain to get off. Would love to try scalding one some day, but I've never done it on any animal. Tried the pear burner once, but gave up because it seemed to just make a smelly mess. The other thing I find annoying about cleaning them is that the pelvis is narrower than deer, so it's tougher to get the rectum and anus mobilized and out.
I am on the side that shoot everyone you see whether you eat it or not. I read somewhere we'd have to kill 70% of the pigs yearly just to maintain the current population, and were already over run. Some of the previous post have mentioned and posted pics, the damage they can do overnight is amazing.
As far as cooking goes, Done it multiple ways.
Anything under 75lbs I take the back straps male or female. Soak in buttermilk over night. Bread and deep fry.
The little football size ones, a couple of times, skinned and cooked whole...meh... looks cooler than it tastes
For the first time a few weeks ago i took the hams off a 35-40lb sow. They may have been 3 lbs each or so. Put them in a crockpot at 10am with bbq sauce and orange marmalade. Took them out at 6 pm. Didn't really pull that great, but were pretty tender. Made pulled pork sliders, the kids ate them up.
Got some east Texas buddies that take the shoulders and everything and swear by it.
TLDR - kill 'em all. it is edible and can be tasty.
As far as cooking goes, Done it multiple ways.
Anything under 75lbs I take the back straps male or female. Soak in buttermilk over night. Bread and deep fry.
The little football size ones, a couple of times, skinned and cooked whole...meh... looks cooler than it tastes
For the first time a few weeks ago i took the hams off a 35-40lb sow. They may have been 3 lbs each or so. Put them in a crockpot at 10am with bbq sauce and orange marmalade. Took them out at 6 pm. Didn't really pull that great, but were pretty tender. Made pulled pork sliders, the kids ate them up.
Got some east Texas buddies that take the shoulders and everything and swear by it.
TLDR - kill 'em all. it is edible and can be tasty.
Love feral hog meat off almost any size pig. Keep it clean, wear gloves while cleaning, and cook to appropriate temperatures. You can make zoonotics related arguments on most critters we like to eat.
I like to smoke them until they are fall off the bone tender.
I like to smoke them until they are fall off the bone tender.
How do you like your Nutria?ursusguy said:
Love feral hog meat off almost any size pig. Keep it clean, wear gloves while cleaning, and cook to appropriate temperatures. You can make zoonotics related arguments on most critters we like to eat.
I like to smoke them until they are fall off the bone tender.
Nutria being eaten and cooked many different ways is common in Louisiana. Even famous Louisiana chefs like Paul Prudhomme have it on the menu.
https://vimeo.com/64974150
https://vimeo.com/64974150
I've got some extended family in Louisiana - they've served it a couple times. Also, having traveled the world, I've had lots of "wild animals" - the fresh civet in China was good, tad greasy. Prefer the civet coffee!BurnetAggie99 said:
Nutria being eaten and cooked many different ways is common in Louisiana. Even famous Louisiana chefs like Paul Prudhomme have it on the menu.
https://vimeo.com/64974150
Agree that what they are eating makes a big difference.Zaiquiri said:
My best guess why people taste something off in feral pigs is because of what the pig is eating or their cleaning/butchering. Or maybe they are picking out something I am not perceiving.
My family had a few goats when I was young. I had to take care of them. I hate goats and can't stand goat cheese or goat meat. I like to eat but I'd rather skip a meal than eat goat. I wish I could enjoy it so I keep trying it to see if anything has changed but I can still smell it in a dish and will eventually retch if I eat more than a bite or two. All that to say, perhaps people experience feral pig like I do goat.
Where I hunt, they have plenty of good water and food. If I am going to eat them, I won't wing them. I want them to drop dead. If they are muddy, I'll hose them off. I'm careful cleaning and butchering them, no hair or dirt gets on the meat. I think the meat tastes great. To me, it's way better than HEB pork.
If they are fattened up on acorns and the corn from the feeders, you are going to get better results.
If they are scavenging the dead pigs and coyotes folks shoot and leave, probably not so much.
It doesn't bother me to shoot them and leave them -- but if folks are doing that regularly on the property, I would avoid butchering a hog from there.
Shot a massive boar a couple of years ago -- we cut out the backstraps, and dumped the rest at the gut pit. The coyotes munched it a little that night. By the next evening, the trees around it were loaded with buzzards -- dozens of them. It was scattered bones and hide within 48 hours.
Anyone claiming buzzards won't eat feral pig just hasn't waited around long enough.
In chili. Another recipe I like to slip to unsuspecting individuals. Like coyote chili and jerky
Yeah, buzzards eat the hell out of feral hog carcasses. I know a property that specifically plans for it to happen, and they are usually gone in short order.
When a buddy tosses his gut pile he must have 50 the next day. And that is not the carcass. He takes all the meat
I turned this big boy:
into this:
I'd say feral hogs are pretty tasty.
into this:
I'd say feral hogs are pretty tasty.
SanAntoneAg said:
I was taught that a humane, clean kill was part of being an ethical hunter.
When did the contrary become something "hunters" brag about publicly?
It's not hunting - it's pest control.
--
Chris Barnes
Retired A&M IT geek - now beekeeper
http://www.cornerstonehoneybees.com/
Chris Barnes
Retired A&M IT geek - now beekeeper
http://www.cornerstonehoneybees.com/
You SOAB. I had 2 bananas and a snickers bar for lunch. Yeah, don't ask.
I'd crawl inside a dead cow right now for one slice of that. Good thing I got 3 more bananas and a wild imagination.
I'd crawl inside a dead cow right now for one slice of that. Good thing I got 3 more bananas and a wild imagination.
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