Clean kill. Gut it ASAP. Rinse out the cavity to get it cooling
off.
Hang for 3-4 days in temps under 50 degrees if possible.
As posted above.
The way "Perinias" grilled it is the best for steaks.

Love me some deer meat

I don't think there are many who would argue that venison tastes better than a good rib eye or filet, but how many of us eat rib eyes every day?

Venison is something different that becomes a part of our variety of food enjoyed by those of us who enjoy the whole experience of hunting - the preparation for the hunt, the actual hunt, the kill, and the consumption of what we worked so hard to obtain.

Prepared properly, venison can be something enjoyed and looked forward to eating, instead of something tolerated.

I feel bad for anyone who just goes out for the kill and does not experience the enjoyment of preparing, cooking, and eating something you have worked so hard to get.

I don't think I could hunt if I did not eat what i killed.

Definitely prefer beef and wild hogs over deer, but I eat 4-6 deer per year. It has it's own flavor and while isn't as good as some meat, I like it. I wish I could cook it as well as some folks, I've eaten some very tasty venison cooked by others. Don't forget about the jerky as well, deer meat makes excellent jerky.

Duck is less popular than venison and I'll cook you some duck gumbo that is more addicting than crack.

Sounds great minus the duck. Haha.

I have never liked deer. I can eat chicken fried back strap I give the rest to a guy on our lease that does like it.

Elk, by far, is better than any other wild game IMO.

If you don't like venison, either you didn't prepare it right or you just can't cook. As for the ones who say ground venison is bad, try adding ground beef with it. When I grind my deer I make about a 75/25 ratio, 75% venison - 25% beef. IMO, venison chilli tastes way better than beef chilli. If you have never made your own deer jerky, you are missing out on a real treat. I cooked smothered tenderized deer steaks in gravy tonight with mashed potatoes, purple hull peas, and turnip greens and it was awesome. BTW, I process my own deer, so I know they will taste good.

if deer isn't handled properly
right from the start, nothing
you can do to it or soak it in
or sprinkle on it will make
it right. just like fish kept
on a stringer vs. one that goes
straight into the cooler.
some will cuss me, but there are
some processors that take your
deer, weigh it,then it goes into
the locker until they get enough
carcasses to make it worth their
while to dirty up their equipment.
you may get back all of the deer
you brought in, some of it, or none.
you may end up with someones deer
that spent all day with the guts
in it,riding around in a bumper
rack in 70 degree or more temperature,
or someones gut-shot mess.

learn to cut it up yourself.
it ain't that hard.

I think if you don't like the meat, and especially if you are feeding it to your dogs, you shouldn't shoot em. That's just me.

If you don't like deer meat it's because you're probably not a very good chef. It's all in the preparation and seasoning. I'd suggest that you expand your horizons and give some new recipes a try.

This is funny. People have different taste buds. So since I dont like lamb also all the five star restaurants I have tried it in must mean those chefs are terrible. Makes sense now. You think they will give me my money back.

I agree with LP, I've had some people cook deer that tasted like boot leather. If done right and not over cooked it's really good. That could be the reason y'all don't like it, most people want all meat cooked well done. Check out any wild game cookbook, wild game should never be well done.

I'm still sticking to my guns on my last comment, if you don't like to eat the meat, you shouldn't be killing the animal.

I love Venison

Well I will let all the familys know who I donate deer meat to that 8pointdrop said i shouldnt shoot anymore deer for them. I think they may not agree with you. I think as long as its being used why should it matter if I personally dont like it.

Venison is, to me, one of the best meats on the planet. Like said on this forum, you just have to know how to cook it to your liking. I will eat it any way but raw, but here is a few pointers to help those with offset taste buds.

1) When chicken frying, use buttermilk. I season the meat, let it sweat and then soak it in buttermilk for a few minutes before I flour it. This helps to rid some of the gamey taste.

2) My wife loves all venison, except ground venison. So when grinding the meat, I add about a pound of chopped peppered bacon with the meat and it gives it a flavor more to her liking.

3) If I grill backstrap, I will marinate it beforehand with whatever marinade I have, and then work to keep it moist while grilling with a mop or by wrapping it in foil. Butterflied and wrapped with bacon is one of my favorites.

4) Last, I always process my own deer. Taking it to the processor just never seems to come back the same. We gut it, wash out the inside, strip the hide, and let it hang in our walkin cooler by the hind legs for 3-4 days before processing.

I promise you that I could serve you several venison dishes that you wouldn't be able to tell the difference between it and beef.

With that said, if you cannot prepare, season and cook venison in a manner comparable to beef, then you do not know how to cook.

It's all in how you cook it... cooked right it's GREAT!
cooked wrong it's just something to eat.

I can tell when people start threads like this just to argue, if your going to post and don't want others opinions, why are you on a forum? Call me old school, but I'm one of them weirdos that still read a Bible, I know lots of people don't even pick em up anymore or open them.

Ch.11 verse 7 "then I heard a voice, Rise Peter kill and EAT"

I'm not knocking you for feeding the hungry, I shoot a doe every year to give to hunters for the hungry, but no way I'm giving away every deer I shoot. It saves too much money not having to buy beef.

Well poor people and my dogs appreciate me


I know how to cook fine and I do eat it occasionaly but its not a tast I crave. And as I stated before 10 people have come on here saying how they process it and cook it makes it so much better. Good for you.

Keep your preaching to yourself 8pt

I'm used to getting frowned upon for my preaching sir, that's just how it's become these days.

That means youre not very good at it or don't know when to stop.

I love it! It's so much leaner than beef. Plus, I know it doesn't have all those antibiotics they pump into the cows. I bought a deep freezer last year just to load up on venison to last me through the year. I look forward to deer season not for the antlers but for the meat. My dad id the same way though, he doesn't like venison or any other "gamey" table fare. Just one of those things, either like it or not, nothing wrong about it.

i didnt start a thread to argue i was just wondering how many people actually like and if anyone like me didnt.