Why Don't We Eat Bears?

My neighbors across the street had their fishing boat out this morning when I went outside to drive the oldest boy to school.

"What's all that stuff on their boat?" he asked.

I looked closer and....I don't know how to describe it. Like - their boat had all this fringe and tassles and crap hanging from it. The best I could figure, it was some sort of camouflage - for tall grass or something.

I honestly have no clue.

I suggested maybe they weren't going fishing maybe they were going duck hunting.

I don't know why, this just seemed more plausible.

As we drove by the boat, he asked "Is it duck season?" and I shrugged.

Why would I know what hunting season is what?

Before I could compose a non-smartmouth answer he asked,"When is bear season?"

I was stumped.

"Ummmm, I'm not sure....I'm not sure we still hunt bears. Maybe we do. I don't really know. I mean, Dad and I don't think you should hunt anything you don't eat. So, I don't think you should hunt bears regardless."

Just as dead pan as can be he replies. "You can eat bears."

I told him that just didn't sound right to me. I'd never heard of anyone eating bears.

"No Mom," he said as we pulled up to the car-rider lane at school. "Native Americans didn't waste anything and they wore bear fur so they ate bears."

Can you eat bears?

I guess I'll trust the boy. Maybe he learned this in Scouts...