Vermont hotel to serve up black bear, muskrat and road kill

BURLINGTON, Vt., Oct. 29 (UPI) -- The chef at a Vermont hotel said a special "Wild About Vermont" dinner next month will serve up black bear, beaver, muskrat and road kill.

Chef Doug Paine of the Hotel Vermont said the Nov. 7 meal will feature meat donated by Vermont hunters and fishermen as well as road kill gathered by the Vermont Department of Fish and Wildlife.

"The idea is to get people connected to their local food sources, but also to showcase the traditions of Vermont," Paine told WPTZ-TV.

Proceeds from the $75 dinner will be donated toward the conservation efforts of Lake Champlain International and the Vermont Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Unusual animals destined for the dinner table include black bear, moose, beaver and muskrat. The Department of Fish and Wildlife will also donate three animals killed on the state's roads.

"So you can choose what you want to eat. We're not going to force anyone to eat muskrat if they don't feel like it, but it will be offered to everyone," Paine said. "I'm sure 90 percent of Vermonters haven't tried beaver. But I'm sure they would like it if they did."