1. Skin by hanging back legs from hooks. Remove kernels in small of back and under forelegs. Hang in a cool dry place for 48 hours. Soak overnight refrigerated in salt water. --Or put porcupine into a good fire to burn off the quills.
2. Scrape, and then peel the skin off.
3. Clean; then boil porcupine in water, enough to cover.
4. Change the water and simmer with seasoning to taste, until tender.
Porcupine, and skunk, for that matter, have long been a meat staple,of bush survival. It is also claimed that they were a food staple for many of Canada's indigenous peoples.
At one time it was illegal to kill a porcupine in Canada, except for emergency food, (in many areas this law is still observed).
At one time it was illegal to kill a porcupine in Canada, except for emergency food, (in many areas this law is still observed).
Stewed Porcupine no. 2
Method
Place the meat in a Dutch oven or other casserole.
Add:
3 cups water or light stock
1 rib celery
1 sliced medium-sized onion
1/4 tsp. pepper
1 tsp. salt
Simmer until tender, about 2-1/2 hours, any desired vegetables may be added.
Evolutionary History
The distribution of this Mephitidae can be explained by
examining the fossil record. While skunks do not occur in Europe today, they
did occur there in the past. The oldest recognized fossil identified as a skunk
occurred in Germany about 11-12 million years ago. Genetic data, however, place
the origin of the family back to about 30-40 million years ago. Skunks evolved
from some of the earliest ancestors of the modern carnivores; and are members
of a group of carnivores called the Mustelida, which includes the Musteloidea
(Mustelidae and Procyonidae), Ailuridae (red panda), and the Mephitidae.
Economic
Value
At one time skunk pelts (especially striped) were valuable
in the fur industry, but they are less valuable today. Then and now, however,
skunks are more valuable alive. Most members of the skunk family prey primarily
on insects, especially insects harmful to the agricultural economy. The
earliest legislation for the protection of skunks grew out of appeals from hop
growers in New York and was passed in 1893. Skunks are especially useful in
destroying the rats and mice that commonly infest farm buildings. Spotted
skunks are remarkably efficient as destroyers of rats and mice because they are
quick and can follow rats and mice into smaller crannies than other skunks can
enter.
Striped skunks have been tamed and kept as pets. However,
skunks do not make good pets. Good pet owners make good pets.
Unfortunately, skunks are known to carry diseases as well.
They are susceptible to rabies and there are at least four rabies variants that
are endemic to skunk populations. They also can contract and transmit other
strains (raccoon, bat, fox, etc.). Like all mammals they have to be exposed to
the virus before they can transmit it. Once the symptoms appear they will die.
"The skunk is not the first thing on my list when I look for a food source but it is eatable.
Catching them is a little tricky, seeing as they will most likely spray you if you approach them. They also do spray when you shoot them, even if they die instantly.
My grandfather would catch them under his out buildings on his farm. He would catch them with a pail, and then swing the pail around as he walked. The centrifugal force would not let the skunk lift his tail to spray. He would then drown them in his pond. The spray is oil based so it would just float on top of the water and not get him all smelly". MY NOTE; I FAIL TO UNDERSTAND HOW THIS PROCEDURE WOULD PREVENT A SKUNK FROM LIFTING IT'S TAIL; OR FROM BRACING IT'S BACK LEGS; WHICH IT MUST BE ABLE TO DO, IN ORDER TO SPRAY(the grand father would not have time enough to swing the pail, before the skunk sprayed)--BUT THEN SINCE i HAVE ALWAYS CAUGHT SKUNKS USING A TIP-UP SNARE, I HAVE NEVER HAD OCCASION TO TEST IT. BUT, IN ANY CASE, WHO WANTS STINKY WATER, ESPECIALLY IF THE WATER HAS TO BE USED FOR DRINKING?
wolverine
"Wolverine (Gulo gulo) If anybody in the country can lay claim to being a victim of bad press it is the wolverine photographed on the left. A ferocious fighter when the need arises, wolverines are not the wanton killers they so often portrayed. The nickname "Skunk Bear," however is well deserved - they will let you know all about scent glands."
Fisher: Common, but rarely seen, this member of the mustelid family lives up to the reputation for ferocity. According to Dave Ellis, Director of Northwest Trek, these are one of the few animals willing to take on porcupines. They ascend trees and actually attack the rodents head on. A bite to the face kills the porcupine; the animal is then thrown to the ground and the fisher assaults the unprotected underbelly." At one time, the fisher was considered to be the largest and by far the most ferocious, of the mustelid family.
Just about all of the Mustelidae share one important characteristic - they stink. Hence the name of the family. Some less than others, of course, and some more offensive to humans than others, but all possess a well developed pair of anal scent glands. Skunks are masters of the scent gland, but wolverines and minks are no slouches in this department. In general, however, the Mustelidae share one other common characteristic: they are aggressive, seemingly fearless animals. These guys regularly back down animals many times their own size.
Skunks--which, like most of the Mustelidae are unable to spray unless they can brace their rear legs against the ground or some other such firm surface (however,shooting a skunk produces a similar effect, as the body automatically stiffens and braces)--are very easily caught using a tip-up snare. This device lifts the skunk up off of the ground; so, of course, it is then, unable to spray. Pretty simple--if you know--this knowledge could--just-- help save your life.Skunk meat tastes very much like chicken only better--AND, there is NO smell.
The anal scent sacks of the mustelid family are easily removed, when dressing the carcass. Method of preparation is similar to that used for porcupine.
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