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fiddlehead
07-29-2005, 23:34
I've eaten and also have seen eaten some strange things while hiking that most people probably would not eat if they had more choices. If you've seen (or eaten) other strange things, please share your experiences.

ps. i couldn't believe it when i saw people eating raw pork (that sat in the sun for more than a day) and beef and not get sick here in Thailand but that's not the trail so i didn't include them. Also many different kinds of bugs are eaten here as a delicacy, some alive, some fried. (my girlfriend loves beetles when she's drinking beer)

neo
07-29-2005, 23:50
i love dry ramen noodles out of the bag,they are great:cool: neo

Nean
07-30-2005, 01:40
Does clone, I mean con, excuse me, corn paaausta count?:eek:

Nameless
07-30-2005, 06:48
Dry oatmeal? Its the only way to eat it!!!! Mix up some noninstant oatmeal with brown sugar and eat strait. Just keep lots of water next to you. I hate the texture of regular cooked oatmeal, but tried it raw one day when young and never looked back... I usually have cous cous for breakfast though

Pink
Twinkie

Icicle
07-30-2005, 12:31
It's not strange....but my husband (Snowman - currently still hiking) is known for his trail pizza. It's proper pizza too! He buys pizza base mix and fries that - then covers with cheese and pepperoni....it's LOVELY! (He carries a tiny bottle of oil with him for this too.)

When his boys were hiking with us for two weeks, we even bought a camping frying pan with a fold up handle at Wal-Mart (I got to carry that!) and made larger pizza's. We also made quesadillas....FAB trail food!

Smile
07-30-2005, 15:06
I carry cut onions in a small white nalgene bottle (fits a medium size onion) some folks looked at me strange...but olive oil, sautee the onions and add any kind of pasta with parmesan chees - excellent! They last about 6 days in heat of summer in there....then turn slimy.

Icicle
07-30-2005, 15:32
I carry cut onions in a small white nalgene bottle (fits a medium size onion)
That reminds me...we carried cut onions too (not always cut up - gave me something to do when the boys were hunting for firewood for the campfire)....we also carried 12 eggs in a Gatorade bottle. They lasted for two days and didn't even break up. (yolks still intact.)

We had scrambled eggs at the shelter one morning for breakfast and fried onions with hot dogs on the top of Tinker Cliffs for lunch.

Jack Tarlin
07-30-2005, 15:55
Around five years ago, there were a couple of hikers who were putting out snares for critters, mainly squirrels and rabbits. However, they were determined to eat anything, and I mean ANYTHING that got caught.

So, to make a long story short, I was present that night at Piazza Rock shelter in Maine the night they caught a chipmunk. Yeah, they did what you think they did, and so did about eight or nine other folks, including yours truly.
In fact, I received a "choice" cut of blackened cajun haunch, as I had donated the use of my spice bag, which is fairly large. I was also presented a few days later with a magnificent pelt, which had been dried and stretched. Looked kinda like one of those bearskin rugs, if you can imagine a bear that was only three and a half inches long.

It's been several years now, and I haven't eaten chipmunk since, but you know what? It wasn't half bad.

Lone Wolf
07-30-2005, 15:58
This post will bring the PETA nut bags out of the closet. :D

justusryans
07-30-2005, 18:01
Hey, as long as you eat what you catch....

rickb
07-30-2005, 18:07
And so long as you obey all the trapping laws.

Unless you are a free spirit who believes that certain laws should be ignored, that is.

jlb2012
07-31-2005, 07:50
Unless you are a free spirit who believes that certain laws should be ignored, that is.

Lets _NOT_ jump off that bridge --- OK???

Brock
08-01-2005, 09:21
Trying to save weight on a stove and fuel, I've seen a gram-nazi eat ground up potato chips with a spoon out of a ziplock bag. Note that this was while it was snowing and the rest of us were eating our hot Ramen and sipping hot coco. It was her main course.

Jack Tarlin
08-01-2005, 11:26
Ah, Rick, you do enjoy your smug little jabs. First off, I didn't carry or set the traps in question, I merely happened to be present when they were examined. And no, I don't approve of people violating trapping or hunting laws, nor do I encourage people to do this, nor do I post things on the Internet on how this can best be achieved. As to offering my spice rack to the chefs, and as to accepting the gift of the pelt days later, this was merely common courtesy, something you might wish to display yourself one of these days.

rickb
08-01-2005, 11:53
Fact of the matter is that setting illegal snares on the AT is not cute. Its not cool. Its wrong.

When this goes on all the way to Maine, its worse. I can only hope that no spruce grouse made it into the pot. How many hikers have gone after them over the years?

Jack, it is not my place to suggest that you had an affirmative duty to make any objection when you saw this illegal activity. That' was your choice.

But snaring animal on the Trail isn't about eating and it isn't about PETA.

And isn't cute.

Rick B

Jack Tarlin
08-01-2005, 12:04
So who ever said it was "cute." Or "cool." I don't recall using either word. What I do recall saying is this: "I don't approve of people violating trapping or huntiung laws, nor do I encourage people to do this."

That seems pretty straightforward. Sorry it wasn't clear enough for you. And nowhere do I imply that it was "cute." And likewise, Rich, how do you know I didn't make any objection, or how do you know I didn't point out that this behavior was wrong or discuss the matter? Fact is, you don't know, because you weren't there.

You mention that it's "not your place" to comment about this matter.

Yup. I couldn't agree more. Yet you insist on doing so anyway.

Not very cute, Rick.

Tha Wookie
08-01-2005, 12:10
There's nothing wrong with snaring, IMOP. That has been going on here in North America for well over 10,000 years. Why would it be ok to eat foiled tuna from some distant ocean but not the squirrel on the tree?

Answer: If it was endangered or threatened.

But if you know it's not, then ***?

The legal thing is a different issue. Those laws are necessary. It's highly illegal to get caught.

I remember on the PCT this infamous hiker and his sidekick bought air-rifles and shot a rabbit. This was in the Sierras, around the time they tried to climb Mt. Whitney and got lost for three days.

Anyways, I saw them in a town and I asked them about that story, if they had really killed and eaten a rabbit. They said they had, and it was the most disgusting thing they'd ever eaten. They traded in the rifles in the next town for walkie-talkies. Last I heard they were doing mostly hitching. Maybe they hitched to some place else eventually. I don't think they finished. We were nearly last that year.

Alligator
08-01-2005, 12:50
Plain, yet interestingly good. Lipton's Butter noodles spread over the top of roasted garlic mashed potatoes. Combined from two hikers food bags.

The squeeze parkay reminds me of when I went through the Smokies. My hiking buddy had brought along a squeeze container of jelly and a full jar of PB. By Clingman's Dome, he was ready to ditch the weight. So we sat at the base of the observation tower on the benches and did jelly shots in front of the tourists:D.

Other than that, my meals are pretty well planned.

rickb
08-01-2005, 12:50
Wookie--

People who set snares along the AT are not doing it because they need the meat. Besides, its my meat they are eating!

In part, anyway.

The laws that are in place are there for a number of reasons. One of the things that is so repulsive about the story Jack posted is revealed by the fact that those traps were catching all manner of critters. Whether ANY of the 8 or 9 sheltermates "enjoyed" the bounty on a given day is beside the point.

I can understand how one could get caught up in the novelty of all this. Not to mention the blood lust. But lets not romantacize the experience. Nor fluff it off like Wolf and Justusryan and yourself do.

Subject to some restrictions I can fell trees on my own property. That's the way it should be. I can't do the same on the AT. And that's the way it should be to. Same idea applies to snaring animals.


Rick B

SirReal
08-01-2005, 13:36
Jack...


I was also presented a few days later with a magnificent pelt, which had been dried and stretched. Looked kinda like one of those bearskin rugs, if you can imagine a bear that was only three and a half inches long.

We would like a picture!!!!!!

Ender
08-01-2005, 14:17
I once drank almost a full bottle of that liquid butter stuff for a promise of a six pack once we got to town. Never did collect on that six pack, but I gotta tell you I've never had more energy while hiking than that day. Man o man I was moving fast and easy.

Jack Tarlin
08-01-2005, 18:01
Geez, Rick, first I was being "cute." Then, "cool". Now, I'm guilty of "romanticizing" a "repulsive" story.

Had a bad day or something, pal? Why not try a truckload of prunes, then lie down for awhile.

For around the ninth time, nowhere did I imply that I thought this was a good thing to do. I've already mentioned that I don't approve of illegally hunting, trapping, or fishing on the AT or anywhere else. In fact, I didn't know these guys were doing this til they marched into camp with a permanently recumbent chipmunk. Sorry I didn't perform a resurrection, Rick, but that's not one of my gifts.

Now lighten up and go away for a bit, you'll feel better, and will hopefully stop making yourself look so silly.

PKH
08-01-2005, 18:30
Why not try a truckload of prunes,

Hey Jack and Rick - we're back on the posted topic!

Cheers,

PKH

HikerHobo
08-01-2005, 18:42
Jack, how could you?
He's so cute !

<a href='http://photos1.blogger.com/img/180/3056/1024/images.jpg'><img border='0' style='border:4px solid #000000; margin:2px' src='http://photos1.blogger.com/img/180/3056/400/images.jpg'></a>

justusryans
08-01-2005, 19:14
Hey, anyone have any idea on the season or limit for chipmunk?

Lone Wolf
08-01-2005, 19:50
Open season. Unlimited. They're varmints.

rickb
08-01-2005, 19:59
In Maine I suspect that you are allowed to snare as many chipmunks on the Trail as you are allowed to snare snowshoe hares. None.

My advise to anyone who comes upon a chimmunk lynching, snared hare, or grabbed grouse is to resist the temptation to join in the feast. Some might find that discourteous, but so what.

And Jack, you may be right about me not getting enough prunes.

What aren't you getting that's got you so wound up?

Rick B

BTW. Snaring animals on the Trail isn't cute, and it isn't cool.

Lone Wolf
08-01-2005, 20:18
Building shelters on the AT that *** up the little varmints habitat ain't cool either. Let's eat! :)

TDale
08-01-2005, 21:07
Shelter mouse kabobs anyone?

jmaclennan
08-01-2005, 22:04
got to camp after hiking one day and Mr. Clean had made some pasta with mushrooms that he found in the woods earlier that day. i trusted him as he is pretty much an expert. so i had some. just before i finish ladybug and greenman ask me if i enjoyed the worms. what worms? apparently, the shrooms were full of them (like mealworms or something). so i said what the hell, i could use the protein.

fiddlehead
08-01-2005, 22:40
I once got hell for catching (killing) mice at a shelter. A lady thought they were cute and wasn't afraid to tell me off about my traps. (i wasn't staying in the shelter but used traps in my tarp set up to protect my food, i wasn't eating the mice either)
I wonder if it is against the law to trap mice? (or buy mousetraps) Rick?

minnesotasmith
08-01-2005, 22:52
1) Chopped dried cuttlefish (in packs about the size of medium-sized jerky packs). It's got negligible fat, very mild taste (about like turkey jerky), and has very little water, so it's an efficient hiker food.

2) Lichee gelatin cups (about 1 teaspoon in size).

3) Packs of sushi seaweed.

4) A can of smoked octopus.

(Yes, I spent a few years in the Orient, for anyone in doubt about this.) ;)

Nean
08-02-2005, 00:15
One time, in Band camp, I mean Boy Scouts- we caught a chipmunk in a mousetrap and tanned his little hide. Didn't eat him though, nobody had dakine spices;)

rickb
08-02-2005, 07:17
I wonder if it is against the law to trap mice? (or buy mousetraps) Rick

There are differrent kinds of mice. Some are rather neat, but that's neither here nor there.

I think the answer to your question is that you MAY have been violating the law. Hunting laws don't apply, but cruelty to animal laws do. In Maine, you can assert an affirmative defence to mickycide any time you kill nusiance rodents and other pests ON YOUR OWN PROPERTY. Like anything else, that can be googled.

http://janus.state.me.us/legis/statutes/7/title7sec4011.html

It is entirely possible that the courts might extend the rights of a property owner to a tennant (with all the various definitions that word can take on), at least so far as setting mouse traps in an apartment, hotel room or the like. Would you be extend the legal right to slaughter mice in a shelter? I don't know.

Now, I am loath to begrudge anyone a rolly polly pudding, but that lady may have had more legal grounding than you thought.

Sometimes laws matter. I suppose what is a trivial transgression is in the eye of each individual. One thing is for sure, setting snares along the AT to catch all manner of critter, from hare to chipmunk, is not only illegal, it is, more importantly just wrong. Lets not cellebrate it.

Rick B

MOWGLI
08-02-2005, 08:39
One thing is for sure, setting snares along the AT to catch all manner of critter, from hare to chipmunk, is not only illegal, it is, more importantly just wrong. Lets not cellebrate it.

Rick B

Well put Rick. And if anyone disagrees, I suggest you phone the ATC offices, or the National Park Service's AT office in Harpers Ferry to obtain their opinion on the matter. Their response will be rather unambiguous. Fact is, they celebrate the biodiversity along the trail, and would not take kindly to anyone performing such an act along the trail corridor.

Lone Wolf
08-02-2005, 09:16
The trapping and snaring of small varmints on the AT is a HUGE problem. We must band together and put a stop to the carnage. I'm simply appalled. I've contacted PETA to start a national campaign to protect chipmunks and other cute little critters up and down the AT. This is a serious matter. The rights of these defenseless beings MUST be protected.

skeletor
08-02-2005, 09:33
"Sometimes laws matter. I suppose what is a trivial transgression is in the eye of each individual. One thing is for sure, setting snares along the AT to catch all manner of critter, from hare to chipmunk, is not only illegal, it is, more importantly just wrong. Lets not cellebrate it.

Rick B"
dude are you a card totin' member of PETA or what??

I have pets and they are part of the family, I even feed the birds when it snows, but when its hunting season all wildlife is fair game from deer to squirrel to rabbit and catfish and bass. I don't have the first bit of remorse about shooting or snaring an animal. I don't think that it is cool or cute but is a part of the circle of life!!

Atleast the wildlife has a sporting chance. That is much better than the steak you eat or the leather hiking boots that you wear. Do you think that they have the chance not to be slaughtered???but I suppose that if you are a member of PETA then you probably are a vegetarian and don't use any animal byproducts either!!

If you are this torqued up about a post....

There is something called a food chain!!! last time I checked humans were a part of it. would you be equally torqued up if the chipmunks set the snare for the hikers??

Hey Jack..... did it taste like chicken??
<!-- / message -->

rickb
08-02-2005, 09:36
Skeltor and Wolf--

Be carefull out there....

http://www.scarysquirrel.org/hiskool/squirrelattack.jpg

Rick B

Lone Wolf
08-02-2005, 09:37
What did one lesbian frog say to the other?
Hey! We do taste like chicken.

skeletor
08-02-2005, 09:54
I'm all about LNT and keeping the outdoors as outdoors can be; but given the choice of kill or die I choose kill. as far as felling a tree to save my life to make and emergency shelter the tree goes!!

If you choose to live by what ever code it is that you choose, then that's all good! you are entitled to you opinion; and you know what they say about opinions. Just keep in mind that when you go something else will be feasting on you carcass. Thus is the circle of life. In order to live something must die - be it plant or aminal or whatever.

I believe the thread was about what was the strangest thing you've ever eaten while on the trail! My menus are pretty well planned out!

just a good ole boy,
Skeletor

rickb
08-02-2005, 11:05
This should keep a couple of you busy for a while...

http://www.scarysquirrel.org/games/bbq/bbq.html

Rick B

attroll
08-02-2005, 13:35
What did one lesbian frog say to the other?
Hey! We do taste like chicken.
Ok Wolf. Be careful.

Lone Wolf
08-02-2005, 13:40
Yes sir. I thought it a bit risque'. :cool:

skeletor
08-02-2005, 16:04
Skeltor and Wolf--

Be carefull out there....

http://www.scarysquirrel.org/hiskool/squirrelattack.jpg

Rick B
Great picture;)
S
<!-- / message -->

B Thrash
08-02-2005, 21:02
A Med student from North Carolina eating nothing but red chilli peppers in upstairs of Thomas Knob Shelter a few years ago.

stupe
08-03-2005, 00:36
Make a big pot of mac and cheese, and mix in a huge spoonful of peanut butter, and some chili or tabasco. I swear its great, it's like spicy Thai Mac and Cheese.

Nean
08-03-2005, 05:38
I'm still not sure what it was, but it didn't taste like chi- pmunk/cken:confused:

BTW Stupe, that sounds good, looking forward to trying it:)

Sly
08-03-2005, 11:39
I was going to try Rocky Mountain Oysters in Colorado, but didn't have the balls! ;)

Frolicking Dinosaurs
08-03-2005, 12:08
I saw a guy eating spaghetti with peanut butter mixed with dried cocoa and sugar as the sauce. Imagine it would taste somewhat like a Reece cup?

Lanthar Mandragoran
08-03-2005, 13:09
Make a big pot of mac and cheese, and mix in a huge spoonful of peanut butter, and some chili or tabasco. I swear its great, it's like spicy Thai Mac and Cheese.
Wha?!? I'm not sure whether I am sickened or intrigued...

You use the mac AND the cheese or just cook up the mac?

Happy Feet
08-03-2005, 14:26
While we've seen people 'mainlining' squeeze butter, we've not gone THAT far to get calories. The strangest things we tried (but only once!) were a box of Jiffy cornbread mix, mixed with water and eaten raw. Also chocolate cake mix prepared and consumed the same way. Neither of these were unappealing to me, but hatman didn't like them at all. The tub of frosting was not very good, but chocolate would probably would be okay with peanut butter on a tortilla or bagel or Wasa.

Lanthar Mandragoran
08-03-2005, 14:33
i can't imagine eating cake mix raw if it's prepared like normal (aka eggs), now if only oil was used to subsitute... maybe... still to nasty for me to choke down likely... maybe in tiny batches... hmmm...

Jack Tarlin
08-03-2005, 14:37
No, Wolf, it tasted not a bit like chicken.

However, as memory serves, there was perhaps a slightly pungent aftertaste that reminded several of the "celebrants" (nice word, Rick!!) of spotted owl.

Have a nice day.

Alligator
08-03-2005, 14:37
I've eaten raw cake mix at home, you don't notice the eggs. The one time a buddy and I split the cake unprepare, I think we didn't bother with the eggs. Ahh, the munchies...

Heater
08-03-2005, 15:34
Rattlesnake. It's not really that "strange" around here but in most parts of the country it might be considered a little odd.

:bse

Buckingham
08-11-2005, 00:38
I've eaten Dinty Moore beef stew straight out of the can, uncooked, is that wierd?:-?

jackiebolen
08-11-2005, 01:43
Captain Hook in 2004 used to break up uncooked ramen into his pot and eat it with his spoon. At the Dutch Haus, a few of us got the owners (forget their names) to put a pot with a pack of ramen at Hook's place at dinnertime. Funny stuff!

Moxie00
08-11-2005, 20:08
I shot a moose before my hike, dried alot of it in a dehydrator, and carried and ate it all the way to Maine, I shared alot of it with my fellow hikers. Moose Jerkey weighs very little and keeps very well and is excellemt in oatmeal and lipton noodles. I never cooked my Quaker instant oatmeal, just poured cold water into the packet, mixed it and ate it, worked for me. TVP is very good mixed with parkey. Eat anything you have on the traail, mix it with anything else, there is plenty of room for real food when you get to town.

Moxie00
08-11-2005, 20:14
The trapping and snaring of small varmints on the AT is a HUGE problem. We must band together and put a stop to the carnage. I'm simply appalled. I've contacted PETA to start a national campaign to protect chipmunks and other cute little critters up and down the AT. This is a serious matter. The rig:cool: of these defenseless beings MUST be protected.Lone Wolf, you have destroyed my faith in PETA. I thought it meant People Eating Tasty Animals. and that should include shelter mice.

mountainfreedom
09-13-2005, 22:33
She was sort of hot though...and the chips looked good. I remember a cold night for Mr. Brock..and a long 5 minute walk to someones truck. lol.
So..whats up? Have you heard from Peacepipe?
Pete,



Trying to save weight on a stove and fuel, I've seen a gram-nazi eat ground up potato chips with a spoon out of a ziplock bag. Note that this was while it was snowing and the rest of us were eating our hot Ramen and sipping hot coco. It was her main course.

LIhikers
09-14-2005, 13:15
Put the hunting/trapping thing aside for a minute. What does chipmunk taste like, chicken? :D

the goat
09-14-2005, 13:52
i put down a rattlesnake in PA and one in NJ too, and it DOES taste kinda like chicken. i did it up in the whisperlite with some olive oil and jalapenos. for the record, i didn't think it was "cute" or "cool", just good eatin'!
:banana

rickb
09-14-2005, 14:13
Did you have a permit, or are the only laws worth obeying those you agree with?

Rick Boudrie

betic4lyf
09-14-2005, 17:50
i met this thruhiker named moonshine who ate a slug, after telling about how if you lick slugs your mouth goes numb (it does). then he just swallowed one

TOW
09-14-2005, 19:16
i usually take one or two canned items with me and one of my favorites is menudo with saltines....................of course smoked oysters and cheesy grits are tasty too.....................

Lilred
09-14-2005, 19:23
I think some people just need something to complain about. I seriously doubt that squirrel trapping is going to become a problem along the AT. Just doesn't sound like something that will become popular among hikers. And BTW, just when is squirrel season anyhow? "If everyone did it......" arguement just doesn't cut it here. I'd be truly surprised if I heard of more than 1 or 2 hikers trapping their way to Maine.

Just a hundred more pelts Jack, and you can sport a nifty hat. :dance

Lilred
09-14-2005, 19:28
I think some people just need something to complain about. I seriously doubt that squirrel trapping is going to become a problem along the AT. Just doesn't sound like something that will become popular among hikers. And BTW, just when is squirrel season anyhow? "If everyone did it......" arguement just doesn't cut it here. I'd be truly surprised if I heard of more than 1 or 2 hikers trapping their way to Maine.

Just a hundred more pelts Jack, and you can sport a nifty hat. :dance


I just reread the post LOLOL A CHIPMUNK??? You're arguing about killing chipmunks??? OH GOOD GRIEF... and chipmunk season is when??? LOLOL You might as well call setting mousetraps as illegal hunting too.

But now, boy, won't that hat be truly spiffy with those neat little stripes down it.

Smile
09-14-2005, 19:45
Chipmunk tastes and smells like sulfur tough chicken. White meat. Need more than one for a meal.

halibut15
09-14-2005, 21:57
Come on, eating chipmunk is wrong? It's meat, just like chicken and beef are. If humans are wrong for eating animals, then why do so many animals on earth eat another animal? Anyway, getting back to the topic, my peronsal strangest food that I've seen eaten took place at Double Spring Gap Shelter in the Smokies. A hiker was eating 3-day old scrambled eggs, hamburger patties, and bacon from Fontana Village in June, despite the protest from everyone else in the shelter. I never heard of a dead hiker turning up on the trail that summer, but I'm sure he spent a fair amount of time squatting in the woods....

BlackCloud
09-15-2005, 08:33
Literally.

In the spring of '01 in Mt. Rogers NRA I watched a thru hiker down about a 1/3 of a can of chocolate cake icing for dinner; and nothing else (except water of course). He packed his stuff up & said he had another 5 miles. That was @ 8:00 pm.

Telling this story years later to several SOBOs, I got a confession from one that he had spent 2 weeks off the trail after suffering from scurvy. He had been eating nothing butHhershey's syrup!:-?

rickb
09-15-2005, 09:24
Come on, eating chipmunk is wrong? It's meat, just like chicken and beef are. If humans are wrong for eating animals, then why do so many animals on earth eat another animal?

By your logic choping down a tree on the AT to make a fire would be OK simply because "wood is fuel".

You don't need to get all emotional about a chipmunks if you don't want to. Just think of in terms of Leave No Trace ethics, if you prefer.

And what did you think about the guy who was killing rattlesnakes. Is that OK on the AT, too? Even if you could care less about the animal, how about the other hikers who might relish seeing one?

Rick B

MOWGLI
09-15-2005, 10:35
And what did you think about the guy who was killing rattlesnakes.
Rick B

I'm sure the NJ DEP would be interested in prosecuting a hiker who brags about killing an endangered species. If anyone has this jokers real name and address and cares to share it, please send me a PM. I'll be sure to forward it to the proper authorities.

For more info about Rattlers in NJ;

http://www.njfishandwildlife.com/ensp/tmbratlr.htm

BTW, it is legal to "take" a Timber Rattler in PA, but you need a permit.

http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/forestry/wildlife/rattlesnakes.aspx

the goat
09-15-2005, 11:18
merely partook in the dining enjoyment, not the brutal massacre.....no need to get doufolds in a bunch!:jump

Dryphly
09-15-2005, 13:12
Over memorial day 2004 i was hiking with some buddies up near Duncannon. We were stopped on the trail and invited to a Memorial Day party, so we went. There were burgers and pies and pop and beer. Everyone was having a good time then Lucky Star, an older lady thru-hiking reminded us that the 17 year cicada was hatching. She also tol dus that she had seen recipes for them ini the local newspaper and that she wanted to try them and this might be her last chance cause she know if she'd be around for the next 17 years.
That was all the motivation we needed. My crew and a thru-hiker called Alabama (he started hiking in alabama, im not quite sure how that works but that was his story) we all started harvesting the little green and orange insects. Once we had a big pile of them we stripped off all of their wings and washed them. Next the host of the party fried them up in some butter with seasonings like cayenne and salt.
Once they looked done (we had no idea what they should look like mind you) we dug in. Its by far the strangest thing i've ever eaten on the trail but probably one of the most memorable too.


ps: They are crunchy on the outside, gooey on the inside, and taste like nuts.

Gonzo!
09-16-2005, 11:52
A few of us in 1989 once found a 3/4 full bag of marshmellows under a shelter in Virginia. the first few had some ants on them so we tossed them, but roasted up the rest. Tough to eat a gooey blob with a full beard without getting sticky, but what a treat (shelter your beard with one hand and stuff the whole thing in your wide, gaping mouth). Strangest thing I saw someone else eat was dried squid. Tried a piece and it was just kind of fishy with a lot of salt.

Two Speed
09-16-2005, 13:13
By your logic choping down a tree on the AT to make a fire would be OK simply because "wood is fuel".

You don't need to get all emotional about a chipmunks if you don't want to. Just think of in terms of Leave No Trace ethics, if you prefer.

And what did you think about the guy who was killing rattlesnakes. Is that OK on the AT, too? Even if you could care less about the animal, how about the other hikers who might relish seeing one?

Rick B
Um, Rick, I think the thread is about the STRANGEST THING YOU'VE SEEN EATEN, not recommended practices.

If you'd like a recommendation, how about getting a life?

the goat
09-16-2005, 13:43
By your logic choping down a tree on the AT to make a fire would be OK simply because "wood is fuel".


I'm sure the DEP would be interested in prosecuting a hiker who brags about chopping down trees on the AT;) . If anyone has this jokers real name and address and cares to share it, please send me a PM. I'll be sure to forward it to the proper authorities. :datz

Alligator
09-16-2005, 14:53
I'm sure the DEP would be interested in prosecuting a hiker who brags about chopping down trees on the AT;) . If anyone has this jokers real name and address and cares to share it, please send me a PM. I'll be sure to forward it to the proper authorities. :datzI've got some extra playing cards if you need them. No one posted about enjoying a fire built from illegally cut wood.:datz :datz :datz

the goat
09-16-2005, 15:15
I've got some extra playing cards if you need them. No one posted about enjoying a fire built from illegally cut wood.
look back a/b five or six posts and you'll get what i said. :datz

Alligator
09-16-2005, 15:27
You said

i put down a rattlesnake in PA and one in NJ too, and it DOES taste kinda like chicken. i did it up in the whisperlite with some olive oil and jalapenos. for the record, i didn't think it was "cute" or "cool", just good eatin'!then

merely partook in the dining enjoyment, not the brutal massacre....
You enjoyed a meal of an illegally caught snake, and it was suggested you be reported to the DEP. In return, you suggested reporting somone to the DEP for illegally chopping wood. This would make sense if someone posted doing that. It falls flat though duece.

Lone Wolf
09-16-2005, 15:29
I like killing protected stuff and cooking it over a fire with illegally chopped down wood at illegal campsites.

Lilred
09-16-2005, 15:34
I like killing protected stuff and cooking it over a fire with illegally chopped down wood at illegal campsites.

So do I L. Wolf, but only if there is a ban on campfires at the time......

Alligator
09-16-2005, 15:35
I was expecting you to be more specific Wolf. Spotted Owl, Bald Eagle, maybe over a mahogany fire?

Ridge
09-16-2005, 20:44
Yes, I tried some on the AT several years back during a section hike near Deep Gap NC (right before Standing Indian Mtn). It was killed on the FS road near the parking lot. My Hubby and friends skinned and deep fried the sucker, tasted pretty good.

saimyoji
09-16-2005, 20:55
Mmmmmmm.....Road Kill. Isn't road kill still contraband? At least in PA it is. I think.

Lilred
09-16-2005, 21:13
Mmmmmmm.....Road Kill. Isn't road kill still contraband? At least in PA it is. I think.


Tennessee, relatively recently, made it legal to pick up roadkill and take it home with you. I kid you not!!

Nearly Normal
09-17-2005, 02:29
A few of us in 1989 once found a 3/4 full bag of marshmellows under a shelter in Virginia. the first few had some ants on them so we tossed them, but roasted up the rest. Tough to eat a gooey blob with a full beard without getting sticky, but what a treat (shelter your beard with one hand and stuff the whole thing in your wide, gaping mouth). Strangest thing I saw someone else eat was dried squid. Tried a piece and it was just kind of fishy with a lot of salt.
I think this years thru hiker "squid jerky" got his handle in Franklin over a package of dried squid.:cool:
pete56

bogey
09-17-2005, 08:55
I like killing protected stuff and cooking it over a fire with illegally chopped down wood at illegal campsites.
I'm curious, what does spotted owl taste like?

and the defendant replies, " pretty much like bald eagle."

Seeker
09-17-2005, 20:29
nothing really weird while hiking, but i had a sergeant in the army who would eat jalepenos straight out of the jar... always had a bunch of them when we went to the field... (only strange to me, i guess, as i don't even like black pepper on my food...) he did introduce me to smoked oysters though, and i've loved them ever since...

another time, we were running short on food and water (why else would we eat strange things?), and i dropped a chunk of meat from my beef stew MRE into the mud... didn't have anything else, so i picked it up, held it out in the rain until it was clean enough, and ate it...

Maxwell_Allen
09-21-2005, 11:57
Get your pen and paper handy cause here is "Fish on Fish" by 4-cheese.
1 package of dry ramen
1 can sardines in oil, mustard or hot sauce
1 bag of *flavor blasted* pizza goldfish
Break ramen block in half, place sardines on the ramen, place goldfish on the sardines. Sprinkle some extra MSG ontpo if desiered. Eat open faced style, and enjoy.
Hey, I even eat these off the trail.
4-Cheese

betic4lyf
09-21-2005, 16:47
ive seen slugs eaten. i only licked one. did you no that they make your tongue go numb.

indian pipe makes a good firestarter