Mastering Snowshoe Hare Hunting & Survival Nutrition in the Wild
The video above takes you through an exciting snowshoe hare hunt, showcasing the thrill of the chase and the practical steps of field dressing. Beyond the immediate satisfaction of a successful hunt, understanding the nuances of procuring and consuming wild game, especially lean meat like snowshoe hare, is critical for survival. This post delves into the essential caloric considerations, the dangers of nutrient deficiency, and effective hunting strategies for long-term wilderness living.
Caloric Realities: The Lean Meat Challenge of Snowshoe Hare
Relying solely on lean meat, such as snowshoe hare, presents significant nutritional challenges in a survival scenario. A single snowshoe hare, weighing approximately 16 ounces, provides about 752 calories based on its lean meat content of 47 calories per ounce. To meet minimum daily caloric requirements, an individual would need to procure at least three rabbits per day. This number jumps to four rabbits daily if you choose not to consume the brain and other vital organs, which are often richer in fats and micronutrients.
Sustaining this level of active hunting day after day, for weeks or months, proves incredibly difficult and energy-intensive. While a great day might yield enough game, the sheer physical demand and unpredictable nature of hunting make consistent success unlikely. This highlights the importance of efficient methods and a comprehensive understanding of nutrition in the wild.
The Peril of “Rabbit Starvation” and Fat’s Vital Role
Eating only lean meat, without sufficient fat, leads to a serious condition known as “rabbit starvation.” This physiological state rapidly wreaks havoc on the human body and its digestive system, causing symptoms like diarrhea and nausea within just weeks. Our bodies are simply not designed to thrive on protein alone; fat is essential for energy, nutrient absorption, and overall bodily function. Recovering from rabbit starvation is remarkably swift, with symptoms typically subsiding within two days once fat is reintroduced into the diet.
Indigenous populations, such as the Inuit (Eskimo) of the Far North, and early explorers to these regions, habitually subsisted on diets primarily composed of meat. Their ability to do so hinged on one crucial factor: their diet was consistently high in fat. They meticulously sought out and consumed fatty tissues, organs, and bone marrow from animals like caribou, recognizing its indispensable value for survival.
Insights from a 1930 Study on All-Meat Diets
A year-long study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association in 1930 provided compelling scientific evidence supporting the viability of a meat-only diet, provided it was high in fat. Two male subjects in the experiment consumed a varied meat diet including muscle, liver, kidney, brain, bone marrow, bacon, and fat from beef, lamb, veal, pork, and chicken. This approach meant eating the entire animal, utilizing every available calorie and nutrient.
The subjects consumed an average of 800 grams of meat per day, spread across three to four meals. Their daily intake typically consisted of 100 to 140 grams of protein, 200 to 300 grams of fat, and a minimal 7 to 12 grams of carbohydrates (primarily from glycogen in the meat). This translates to a macronutrient breakdown of approximately 1-2% carbohydrates, 15-25% protein, and a significant 75-85% fat. Both men remained in good health throughout the year-long study, experiencing only a minor initial body weight shift due to water loss during ketosis. Crucially, problems only arose when their fat consumption dropped below 55% of total calories, a deficiency quickly remedied by adding more fat. Their blood pressure and vitamin concentrations consistently remained normal. This data underscores that while a meat-only diet is possible for survival, it absolutely necessitates ample fat.
Optimizing Your Hunt: Snares vs. Active Pursuit
While active hunting with a gun, as demonstrated in the video, can be successful and enjoyable, it demands significant time and energy. This method has inherent drawbacks when considering the net caloric return, especially when trying to live off the land long-term. Every calorie expended in pursuit must be outweighed by the calories gained from the meal.
For effective and sustainable food procurement in deep snow environments, snares offer a superior alternative. Snowshoe hares frequently use the same trails repeatedly during winter, making them ideal candidates for passive trapping. A simple snare, made by looping wire through itself and hanging it from a branch at the appropriate height, can effectively catch and dispatch an animal by constricting its neck. Snares are cheap, light, compact, and remarkably effective. They require minimal effort to set and maintain, allowing you to conserve precious calories for other tasks or rest. Historical accounts suggest that native families might deploy around 300 such traps to secure sufficient supplemental food, requiring diligence but significantly reducing the direct energy expenditure of active hunting.
Identifying and Preparing Your Snowshoe Hare Catch
Proper identification of your quarry is the first step. Snowshoe hares are easily identifiable in winter due to their striking white fur, which provides camouflage against the snowy backdrop. Distinguishing features include short ears with black tips and, most notably, their prominent black eyes against their white coats. These visual cues help hunters spot them in the dense, brushy cover they prefer.
Once secured, proper field dressing and preparation are essential for any wild game, including snowshoe hares. As the video demonstrates, quartering a hare is a straightforward process. The snowshoe hare possesses a narrow hip and robust back legs, which are powerful for jumping. Locating the hip bone allows you to efficiently separate the back legs. Including organs like the kidney and heart, as shown in the video, maximizes nutritional intake. These organs are often dense in micronutrients and fats, further contributing to a well-rounded wilderness diet. Some hunters also use the fur for practical purposes like tying flies; whiskers make excellent tails, and belly fur can be used as dubbing.
The act of harvesting a snowshoe hare offers not just sustenance, but also a deeper connection to nature’s rhythms. Understanding the animal, its habitat, and the critical nutritional aspects of its consumption transforms a simple catch into a profound lesson in wilderness survival.
