Rounding Up Nutria Rats -- Laissez les bons temps rouler
Among the many things that make America amazing is the fact that we’re big enough for not just one, but at least TWO Nutria Rodeos.
The original, it seems, was in Hank Aaron’s hometown of Mobile, Alabama, and is now commemorated through the many wares sold by the aptly-named Nutria Rodeo Trading Company.
More recently, the revered fishing town of Venice, Louisiana, added one of their own, offering up prizes for the largest nutria killed and the most nutria per boat. Of course there is also a nutria toss.
No word on whether the cities have battled over who has the right to declare itself the nutria capital – or if they’d even want to do so – but since the suckers gestate for 130 days, and then can mate again two days after they give birth, there’s likely room enough for even more opportunities to round up these habitat-destroying giant rats.
I’m sure they’ll be put to good use. While I haven’t tried them, my boat driver at the 2012 Bassmaster Classic in New Orleans advised they make excellent table fare. Then again, he also said that coots (aka “pouldeau”) are a delicacy, so take that with a grain of salt and a healthy dose of Tabasco.
