Skunks, like most small game, are everywhere, and most of them are edible. Known for their foul stench that a tomato soup bathing can only cure, you might ask yourself, can you eat skunk?
Yes, you can eat skunk under the condition that it is properly cleaned and cooked; it can be a decent meal. You must clean and cook the skunk meat properly to avoid disease or food poisoning. Skunk meat is not poisonous, but it is not considered to be quality meat.
So, in this article, you will learn weather you can eat skunk, what skunk tastes like, how to hunt and clean skunk, best parts to eat, and more.
Let’s dig in.
Yes, you can eat skunk meat with the proper preparation.
Preparation includes killing, skinning, de-glanding, washing, brining, and cooking the skunk.
Skunk is safe to eat for people. You will need to take some precautions to remove bacteria, especially in the anal area.
Doing this properly is a must because if the anal fluids get into the meat, you will not be able to eat the meat. You must be very careful.
When preparing the meat, you will also need to wear gloves since you don’t want any of those diseases to seep into a cut of yours.
What Does Skunk Taste Like?
A skunk tastes similar to a squirrel (our article on weather squirrel is edible) or chicken, but a lot bonier. Skunk meat is a little tougher as well. Skunks are also known to be quite fit, so their meat is lean
The taste comes from the fat for the most part.
How Do You Hunt Skunk?
First, find an area where you think skunks might live or travel. They’re typically most active around Winter, so that’s the season you want to hunt them. You can find this by looking at tracks.
Then, set up a trap with bait that will attract skunks, such as smelly food or a strong–smelling substance.
Once the trap is set, wait for a skunk to enter it, and then quickly close the trap door to capture and kill the animal.
It’s not recommended that you go in close proximity when hunting skunks since they can release a very pungent smell. They can also bite and scratch which can give you fatal diseases like rabies.
But, you can do long-distance bow hunting, rifle, or even slingshot hunting. If you choose this method, then choose a smaller caliber rifle and aim for the lungs.
How Do You Clean Skunk?
To clean the skunk, you will need to skin the skunk. The best way to skin a skunk is to first put on a pair of rubber gloves.
Next, use a sharp knife to make a small cut around the skunk‘s neck. Then, carefully peel the skunk‘s skin away from its body. Finally, cut off the skunk‘s paws and tail.
Then, you will need to gut the skunk and remove the brains. The brain may have prion.
You will then need to de-gland the skunk. The skunk glands are located near the base of the tail. To remove them, a veterinarian will need to make an incision in the area and carefully remove the glands.
After the de-glanding, set it in some warm soapy water for 5 minutes and rinse all areas, especially the anal area very well.
What Do Skunks Eat?
Skunks are opportunistic eaters and their diet can vary depending on what is available.
They will eat small mammals, rodents, birds, reptiles, frogs, eggs, insects, and carrion. In urban areas, skunks may eat garbage, pet food, and fallen fruit.
Wild skunks are healthier because they don’t eat garbage.
Best Parts to Eat
Skunks have many great pieces to eat. For organ meat, the heart and kidneys are amazing. Stay away from the intestines and brain.
Their muscles are also great to eat but may need some tenderizing.
You must cook the meat and it’s reccomended that you use some sort of spice to add additional flavor.
Last Words
Skunks may not seem like a great meal initially because of their perceived smell. However, with the proper preparation, they make a great meal you can enjoy.
They are high in protein and are entirely edible. You will have to lookout for their teeth and claws, though. They contain some lethal diseases that would not be fun to contract.
