Posted on 03/05/2025 8:48:28 AM PST by Red Badger
In a development that may not completely square with new HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s crusade to "Make America Healthy Again," government officials suggested that people should deal with the growing population of an invasive rodent species the old-fashioned way.
By eating them.
In a story reported by The New York Post, the federal government has helpfully informed Americans that nutria — an invasive rat-like rodent species increasing in population across the country — may be perfect for your next meal.
As part of National Invasive Species Awareness Week, the U.S. Department of Fish and Wildlife Services released a list of the top five invasive species that can safely be caught, captured, and cooked in an effort to crack down on overpopulation.
The nutria topped the list. The agency noted that hunting the rodent isn't an end-all-be-all solution, but that it's a step in the right direction.
With everyone talking about the rising cost of meat these days, it should come as a tremendous relief that dinner for your family may be just as close as your nearby swamp or river bank.
Nutria can specifically be found along the Gulf Coast, in the Pacific Northwest, and in the Southeastern United States. Its exact population, though, is unknown.
The rat-like behemoth is larger than a muskrat and smaller than a beaver — two animals they're often mistaken for. They can weigh anywhere between 15 and 20 pounds.
Sounds delicious, right?
So put to rest any worries you may have about being able to feed your family amid ongoing inflation.
Giant swamp rat. It's what's for dinner!
The government tells us we can shoot coyotes without eating them. What’s the difference here?
I would give it a try.
All snark aside, I’ve heard nutria is actually fairly decent, like dark turkey meat. Honestly, I’d give it a try.
And anything that gets more people out hunting, and helps normalize putting .22s and 20 gauges in the hands of younger folks is just fine with me.
After all, nutria does sound "nutritional."
Kennedy needs to get working on autism and quit goofing off.
If you can make sausage out of it I’m In!.............
Just think of it as guinea pig steaks.
Does that help?
No
I wont get into cannibalism. Adam Schiff, the penultimate swamp rat isn’t good, even with A1 or Famous Dave’s Sweet & Zesty BBQ Sauce
But that was before Star Wars was ultra-woke.
I’ve eaten squirrel, rabbit, armadillo, alligator and other animals too many to remember.
I’ll eat anything that doesn’t eat me first...............
We ate “Grasscutter” (cane rat) in Africa and honestly it wasn’t too bad. I’ve eaten plenty of squirrels, which are also in the rodent family, they just have better plumage and PR.
Geez like this is new news, Louisiana has been promoting the eating Nutria as a way to control them since 1997.
Asian carp are another invasive species that are actually tasty.
https://www.outdoorhub.com/how-to/2015/01/09/eat-invasive-7-simple-asian-carp-recipes/
and democrats are the other rats ,LOL
Grilled Guinea Pig is the national dish of Ecuador. I tried it once when I was there on a mountain climbing trip. It was not bad.
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