moose liver in the rut

[wideopenthrottle]

last year both bull moose we got had whitish coloured livers with the flesh looking like fishspawn instead of the normal look...has anyone else experienced this?

[boblly1]

yes and I will tell you what it is this happens when bull moose are in rut called swamp liver and is caused by the moose drinking the urine of a cow moose in heat at least that is how it was explained to me by people that have a lot experience hunting moose

[wideopenthrottle]

I have heard some stuff too but can't seem to find (with google) any scientific explanations (not that I need science to confirm what I saw)

[Stresd]

Probably the Giant Liver Fluke. Nothing to do with drinking Cow piss.

http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/wld/wldheal...iver_fluke.htm

[elch jager]

yes and I will tell you what it is this happens when bull moose are in rut called swamp liver and is caused by the moose drinking the urine of a cow moose in heat at least that is how it was explained to me by people that have a lot experience hunting moose

Well Jeez Louise that just might explain something... with missus elch jager coming into heat just about once a year or so... but she swore to me that it wasn't urine...

I wonder what my liver looks like...?

Seriously tho - could be tapeworm larvae.... do you have a picture?

[Deadshot]

Always thought it was from the bullets energy/shock.
Have found if the liver goes spotty, it ain't worth eating as it tastes like guts.
Ate lots of good liver from bulls in rut.

[elkhunterette]

Yes, I have experienced it a few times, I don't keep it when it looks like that!

[tomahawk]

All rutting bulls are like that and the dark red is gone till post rut.

[Caribou_lou]

It usually takes a couple days of rutting to get to that point. We have taken the liver from some bulls after calling them in. But not many. They often are pale and firmer. Never tried eating it when it looks like that. Everything else is good to go though. Heart, tongue. Well, probably not the kidneys. But i don't eat those myself.

[wideopenthrottle]

thanks for the feedback...I like a little liver but rarely use a whole moose one unless I give most away...it does suck to leave such a large chunk of meat behind but that's the way it is I guess...