If you’re going to survive in the wilderness, you’re going to need to learn how to clean and cook the food you find in the wild. You also need to identify what not to eat. Educate yourself now to prepare yourself in case of emergency.

Eating Fish

If you’re lucky enough to catch or find a fish, cook it as soon as possible. Fish quickly spoils (especially on warmer days). Cut out the gills first and remove the bloodline. This is the large blood vessels found near the spine of the fish. If the fish is longer than ten centimeters, you should gut it. Scale the fish.

Do not eat a fish that shows any of the following signs: bad odor, slimy body, sharp or peppery taste, easily dented flesh when you apply pressure with your finger, sunken eyes, or gills that aren’t pink or red. You may also notice a metallic taste when you eat it.

How to Cook Fish in the Wild

One easy way is to impale the fish on a stick and roast it over the open fire. This may be the tastiest option. However, you’ll find much better nutrition by boiling the fish. All the fish’s fats are located under the skin. You can save the juice for broth later for additional nutrition. Other methods include packing the fish in clay and burying it under coals. When the clay becomes hard, you can break it open and enjoy your fish. You’ll know your fish is done when the flesh is flaky. If you have extra fish that you want to save, smoke or fry the fish.

How to Cook Birds

Kill the bird first. Then you need to pluck it. You can skin it if you want, but this removes flavor and nutritional value. Open up the bird and remove the entrails. Save the heart and liver for protein. Boil the bird so you’ll have broth later or spit-roast it. If it’s a scavenger bird, you will need to boil it for twenty minutes to kill any parasites that may be living on the bird.