Wyoming Skunk Could Be An Unusually Exciting Meal Option
Skunk....it's what's for dinner.
***The following may not be suitable for everyone, proceed with caution***
I wonder about myself sometimes, but I was driving and saw a skunk that had a run in with the tires of a vehicle. My next thought was, man that stinks, but I wonder if you can cook those things for dinner...
When I searched the internet, the internet didn't let me down.
If you're hungry enough, you'll eat anything...even a skunk.
Your stomach may've turned a little when you read that, but have you ever tried eating skunk?
If you've always thought that skunk isn't an option, you were wrong. Actually, if you process it and cook it right, it may actually be good.
I've eaten squirrel and rabbit, I've heard of folks eating raccoon, so it makes sense that a skunk could be an option.
In Wyoming we have three species of skunk.
- Striped Skunk
- Eastern Spotted Skunk
- Western Spotted Skunk
The skunk is considered a predatory animal, so you don't have to have a special license and there's not a special season for hunting it. You'll just need to follow normal hunting and trapping regulations.
There's also the option of picking up a roadkill skunk, but that would be a stinky job and pretty nasty.
Now on to the eating a skunk part of the story
According to The New Survivalist website, when you eat skunk, it's like eating a bony rabbit. They can taste very gamey, because of their diet and trimming off the fat could make the taste more enjoyable.
There are a couple downsides to electing to feast on a skunk.
- The smell and the scent glands.
- They are a known carrier of rabies
- Avoid eating the stomach, intestines or brains, it could cause health issues
- Some parts of the skunk are VERY high in cholesterol
- and, well, it's a skunk
Making sure that you remove the scent glands, without cutting them with your knife, is a very important part of the processing portion of your experience. ***Side note, the glands could be worth money as the scent is used as a cover scent for trapping and hunting.
Skunks are potential carriers of rabies and are the third most common spreaders, right behind bats and raccoons. It's best to avoid skunks that show signs of rabies.
When deciding the best parts of the skunk to eat, remember it's considered small game like a rabbit or squirrel. The heart, liver, and kidneys are full of good nutrients. You don't want to eat the stomach or intestines; they could contain raw or rancid meat and other things that wouldn't be very tasty or enjoyable. The brain should also be avoided as it could cause serious health issues.
So I'll leave you with this.
If you're ever in a survival situation, you can eat a skunk. It could be stinky and nasty, but it'll give you a food option.
Check out this video of how to prepare your skunk, from removing the nasty parts to cooking.