The black scoter (Melanitta americana) is a large sea duck found along the coasts of North America. It is an abundant bird that is hunted for food by humans in some areas. Black scoters have dark bodies and wings with a black head and neck. The males have a large yellow or orange bill. There has been some debate around whether black scoter is a good tasting and safe wild duck to eat. This article will examine if it is possible and advisable to eat black scoter.
Is Black Scoter Legal to Hunt?
In the United States and Canada, black scoter is legal to hunt during duck hunting season. The hunting regulations and season dates vary between different states and provinces. It is important to check the local regulations where you intend to hunt black scoters. Most areas require hunters to have the proper licenses and stamps to legally harvest black scoters and other duck species. Daily bag limits dictate the maximum number of black scoters that can be harvested per person. Hunting methods may also be restricted, with some areas specifying that black scoters must be hunted from a boat or blind over water. As long as you follow all the hunting laws and regulations for your location, it is legal to hunt and eat black scoter.
Field Dressing Black Scoters
Once you have legally harvested black scoters, the next step is field dressing the ducks to prepare them for consumption. Here are the basic steps for field dressing black scoters:
1. Pluck the Feathers
Start by plucking all of the feathers from the duck. Be sure to get all of the small down feathers as well. Removing the feathers is easier when the duck is still warm. Use your hands or pliers to grasp and pull out the feathers in the direction they grow.
2. Remove the Head and Feet
Chop off the head and feet at the joints. You can use an axe, hatchet, or heavy knife for this step. Removing the head and feet will allow the field dressing to proceed more smoothly.
3. Cut Along the Belly
Using a sharp knife, make an incision along the duck’s belly from the anus to breastbone. Be careful not to cut too deeply and puncture the intestines.
4. Remove the Internal Organs
Reach inside the body cavity and scoop out all of the internal organs. These include the heart, lungs, intestines, liver and stomach. You may need to cut connective tissue around the anus to fully remove the intestines. Discard the organs you remove.
5. Rinse and Wipe Out the Body Cavity
Rinse the inner cavity thoroughly with clean water. This will wash away any blood and remaining pieces of organ. Pat the cavity dry with paper towels.
6. Drain the Blood
Hang the duck upside down to allow the remaining blood to drain completely from the carcass.
7. Place in Cooler
Once field dressed, place the black scoter in a cooler packed with ice for transport. This will keep the meat chilled.
How to Cook Black Scoter
Black scoter has very dark meat and many hunters consider it to have a strong, greasy flavor. There are ways to prepare black scoter to make it more palatable as a wild game bird. Here are some tips for cooking black scoter:
Soak in Buttermilk
Soaking the meat overnight in buttermilk can help reduce the strong flavor. The buttermilk draws out some of the blood while also tenderizing the flesh. Pat dry before cooking.
Parboil Before Roasting
Place the duck pieces in simmering water for about 5 minutes before roasting. This further draws out blood from the dark meat. Discard the water after parboiling.
Marinate Overnight
A marinade can infuse more flavor into the duck. Try using citrus juice, wine, or acidic ingredients like vinegar in your marinade recipe. Allow to marinate 12-24 hours before cooking.
Cook Thoroughly
Black scoter should be cooked to an internal temperature of at least 165°F. Well done meat will be easier to chew and digest. Avoid eating undercooked scoter.
Stew for Tenderness
Slow cooking black scoter meat in a stew, chili or soup will make it tender and bring out more flavor. The moisture within a stew also helps temper the strong flavor.
Make Sausage
Grinding the meat to make sausage, patties or jerky allows you to season to taste and improve the texture. Add your favorite sausage spices and smoking the sausage can enhance the flavor.
Use as Pet Food
If human consumption doesn’t appeal to you, use black scoter meat as pet food for your dogs or cats. Roast or lightly cook it before feeding it to pets.
Nutritional Value of Black Scoter
Black scoter provides lean protein and some nutrients as part of a balanced diet. Here is the approximate nutritional value for 143g of roasted black scoter:
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 204 |
| Fat | 9g |
| Saturated Fat | 2g |
| Protein | 27g |
| Sodium | 127mg |
| Iron | 2mg |
As you can see, black scoter provides a good source of protein with relatively low fat and minimal sodium. The meat has levels of iron and other minerals comparable to other types of poultry. Keep in mind that consuming large quantities of fatty waterfowl like scoters may pose health risks due to the bioaccumulation of contaminants like mercury in some areas. It is best consumed in moderation as part of an overall healthy diet.
Risk of Contaminants in Black Scoter
When eating any wild game ducks, there is potential for exposure to contaminants that the ducks ingest. This includes lead shot and environmental pollutants. Here are some things to know about contaminants in black scoter:
Lead Shot
Black scoters may ingest lead shotgun pellets while feeding. Consuming ducks with embedded lead shot can cause lead poisoning in humans. Use steel, bismuth or other nontoxic shot when hunting black scoters to avoid this risk. Carefully remove any pellets while field dressing.
Mercury
As a marine duck, black scoters are at risk for elevated mercury levels. Mercury accumulates in the food chain and eating scoters from contaminated waters can expose people to heavy metal toxicity. Monitoring programs assess mercury levels regionally to advise about fish and fowl consumption.
PCBs and Dioxins
Industrial pollution can deposit PCBs and dioxins into marine environments. These chemicals may bioaccumulate in the fat and organs of black scoters. Trimming fat from the duck can reduce the amounts consumed. Avoid overconsumption of the skin and organs where these contaminants concentrate.
Other Waterborne Contaminants
Coastal waters with chemical contamination, oil spills or wastewater pollution can also impact black scoter safety. The kidneys, liver and other organs tend to accumulate the highest levels of any toxins. Test locally caught scoters or restrict consumption to reduce this risk.
Parasites in Black Scoters
Black scoters may harbor certain parasites that can infect humans if ducks are eaten undercooked. Proper handling, preparation and cooking must be followed to kill any parasites. Here are some parasites to be aware of:
Avian Flukes
Black scoters are prone to infections by trematode parasites called avian flukes in their digestive system. Thorough cooking to an internal temperature of 165°F will kill these flukes.
Tapeworms
The tapeworm genus Diphyllobothrium can infect black scoters and cause diphyllobothriasis in humans if ingested. Ensure the meat reaches an internal temperature of at least 140°F during cooking to kill tapeworm larvae.
Trichinosis
Trichinella roundworms can rarely infect sea ducks if they consume infected meat. Trichinosis can cause fever, muscle pain and weakness in humans. Cooking to an internal temperature of 160°F is needed to kill trichinella larvae.
Salmonella & Campylobacter
Like all poultry, raw or undercooked black scoter may contain Salmonella or Campylobacter bacteria that cause foodborne illness. Observe proper handling procedures and cook scoter to 165°F.
As long as you thoroughly cook black scoter to safe internal temperatures, the risk of parasites is minimal. Practicing good hygiene when handling raw duck meat is also important to avoid cross contamination.
Conclusion
Black scoter is legal to hunt and eat during duck hunting season in most areas where it occurs. While some find its dark, oily meat unappealing, proper preparation and cooking can make black scoter an acceptable wild duck to eat. Soaking, parboiling, marinating and slow cooking can improve the flavor and texture. There are some health risks to consider including lead shot ingestion, mercury contamination, and parasites if the meat is undercooked. Overall, black scoter provides lean protein and nutrition, but is best eaten in moderation due to the potential for bioaccumulation of marine pollutants in the meat. Following all hunting regulations, properly field dressing, and cooking black scoter to safe internal temperatures will allow you to enjoy this wild duck species.
