Bear Fat Rendering

(And Why I Love It)

Hunting season is in full swing, and as a tanner, hunter, and someone who really cares about my health, I am here to rave the reviews about bear fat and encourage you to go find some with your local game butchers.

Just as thousands of hides are composted every year, so is so much fat (despite it being an incredible resource for your body). Bear fat is high in vitamins A, D, E, and K, it has been used to treat skin conditions, repair hair, and soothe joint pain. It can be used as a leather conditioner, and waterproofing lubricant. I personally like to cook with it, I fry it in a pan (like I would butter), I use it for tanning hides, I use it for my hair oil, I make shampoo, salve, laundry detergent, and body lotion with it. I swear it has truly repaired my hair and just tastes great to cook with.

It is part liquid at room temperature, white in color when frozen, and has a very mild flavor and smell when rendered at a low heat. (This is another reason why I love it for skin products- when I use olive oil, or tallow, or lard, sometimes I feel like I smell like a cow or pig. The mildness of this fat is ideal.)

I am all about using what the local earth provides for us. We have the ability to buy in almond oil from other places to use on our skin, or olive oil from other countries to cook with- but I love the idea that the things I need are right around me- that they come from the forest where I live, that the bear provides, t