cleaned a snapping turtle probably 50 years ago. it was one of those warm light rainy summer weeks. TW0 days that turtle heart lay on that bench and slowly beat. my dad didnt believe me until i took him out where i had cleaned it.

 

Yes we eat them when we can find them. Boil it for a bit to tender it up, bread and fry it, then simmer in some mushroom gravy (gravy of your choice) or just eat breaded. Very, very good eating!!!

 

You better check with TPW before you move any turtles. They have some new regs on red ears, soft shells and snappers. They all are collected for meat purposes. My family has always eaten them, but they are a bit tough and chewy. I'd rather eat gator., or even armadillo. And no, they don't carry leprosy!

 

Snappers have 4 different types of meat in them,taste like beef,chicken,fish,and I can;t remember the last one. to catch one use a stick and they will bite down on it, place them in a cooler/big one/ with water and leave them in there for a day so they clean thembelves out, don't put food in there. then cut off head but be careful it can still take off a finger after it is decapitated, put a stick in its mouth so you don't have any accidents, creapy thing is the heart after removed will continue to beat until the sun goes down, they are cold blooded.
Snapper soup is great, the most important steps are to let it clean itself out and keep clear of the mouth, it will take fingers off, bone and all..enjoy