My daughter and her husband live on a small private lake that is full of snappers. So many that they are really playing havoc on the ducks, geese and swans. Does anyone know how to clean them and cook them if we catch one???

-- diane (gardiacaprines@yahoo.com), July 19, 2003

Answers

Diane, I found this link, which contains pictures. http://www.conservation.state.mo.us/conmag/1996/jun/jn96john.html

Little Bit Farm

-- Little Bit Farm (littlebit@brighterok.net), July 20, 2003.

Thanks LB..........I sent the link on to my son-in-law. I was hoping that someone like Hoot might actually have done it and could tell me the pitfalls and what to look for.

-- diane (gardiacaprines@yahoo.com), July 21, 2003.

Well I've killed and eaten snake, but haven't attempted turtle yet mainly because I couldn't find any instructions with pictures. I am actually very thankful I found that link for you. I have heard that they are quite tasty and we have a lot of them around here.

Little Bit Farm

-- Little Bit Farm (littlebit@brighterok.net), July 21, 2003.

I've cooked one, but didn't do the cleaning. I know the females can be full of eggs that are traditionally tossed in the stew, and that there's not a lot of meat. Also, if you're boiling it, you'll want to skim the scum. Otherwise, it's not bad in a well seasoned stew.

Judy

-- Judy (tabletophomestead@earthlink.net), July 21, 2003.

My family are from Ohio,I was told long ago they would hunt turtles and cook them. I was told they are very tasty. I have moved to Iowa from Az. and have a lake full and want to learn how to hunt and cook them also. Any recipe out there or advice

-- jan t. (clayton1jan@netins.net), March 30, 2004.

Diane, I just move to MO from NJ. We have in the past week caught about 10 snappers. I have kept 3 for eating. I am following the link at the top state of Missouri conservation guide lines. I have just killed the first one. He or she dont know how to tell but i had it swimming in a large tuperwae tub for about 10 days. It was hard to cut the head off. Had to laso it and hang it and then wack it with a hatched, (took 4 to 6 times,) Make the hatchet sharp. It is now hanging over nite, Let you know more tomorow.

-- Moon Rocky (moonrocky@charter.net), May 17, 2004.

So, how did it turn out?

-- diane (gardiacaprines@yahoo.com), May 21, 2004.

I found an online article from the Missouri Conservationist. Try http://www.conservation.state.mo.us/conmag/1996/jun/jn96john.html

I caught a big one today and was trying to figure out how to kill, clean and cook it without getting bitten.

I also noted that a company named Dunn's in Missouri sells floating turtle traps that helps safely catch turtles

-- Dan Barber (bARBERDE@AOL.COM), June 14, 2004.

I have caught, cleaned and cooked them. I've found out that I like them best cooked in a crock pot. I have stewed them and fried them too. I have made a trap. If you want any more info, I will try to give you any that I can. John j_dishler@hotmail.com

-- John Dishler (j_dishler@hotmail.com), June 21, 2004.

Are they tough? How big should they be? Are their any parts that shouldn't be eaten. Once my Dad caught a crab. My dad brought it home, and mom boiled it. We got that thing on the table and none of us could tell what part besides the claws were good to eat. All I can remember was staring at that thing and thinking I wasn't sure I wanted to be snackin' on it.

Little Bit Farm

-- Little Bit Farm (littlebit@bright.net), June 22, 2004.

Just a quick Thankyou for the MO site. We have snapping turtles that are stealing our fish on the stringer or basket. So we decided we could catch one and did. Now I needed to know what next. I remember eating them when I was a kid and they were GOOD. The MO conservation is the very best. Thanks MO. Rita from MI.

-- Rita Wells (Northplace@aol.com), July 06, 2004.

You are very welcome!

Little Bit Farm

-- Little Bit Farm (littlebit@bright.net), July 08, 2004.