deer meat

[birdhunter39]

I'm not new to huntin , but I'm new to deer huntin . I'm a meat hunter , so here's my question . if a buck was the same or around the same age as a doe do you think the meat would be the same quality ??

[Mathews XT Man]

I think a doe would tend to be a bit more tender.IMHO a buck during or after the rut is likely to be a bit tougher...also what they are feeding on can turn up a funny taste too..but I think the real deal is taking care of that meat as soon as you can..ie skinning and getting that meat cooled down ASAP

[elkoholic]

There are too many variables to give a precise answer. If the buck had been hounding the doe for the past 24 hours or so and the muscles are full of adrenaline and lactic acid in both of them, well then, they both will have suffered lost of quality as table fare. Given a buck and doe feeding on acorns or clover/alfalfa and which have not been run hard for the past 48 hours or so, I doubt that few of us could tell the difference. Let me just add that the best tasting venison I have ever eaten was a large bodied, heavy horned, buck I took during the rut. Same goes for elk as the best was from a large old bull. Proper care of the meat makes a big difference and a good recipe adds the final touch.

[WaCoyote]

Worst deer I ever ate was a doe, she was poorly hit and it was hot and dusty that day. I had a very long drag to the truck and she got filthy.

If all variables were the same I really doubt you'd notice a difference. But like Elkoholic says if they're being pushed real hard or in the rut maybe. Learn how to take care of it properly and keep it clean & cool. It'll be fine.

[birdhunter39]

OK let me throw this out then. i don't really plan on mounting the head , but I'm out in my stand for 4 hours out in the cold , all of a sudden a nice 8 point buck and a doe ( for the sake of discussion , mid October b4 the rut ) which do you think i should shoot ??

[wtnhunt]

OK let me throw this out then. i don't really plan on mounting the head , but I'm out in my stand for 4 hours out in the cold , all of a sudden a nice 8 point buck and a doe ( for the sake of discussion , mid October b4 the rut ) which do you think i should shoot ??

Really think it depends on you and how you feel about it at that moment. Your own personal goals should dictate what you shoot. Here if it were me, I would probably shoot the buck if it were a nice one, for me kind of depends on what is going on from a management standpoint too though. Last year we let all does on our property walk, because we knew they were getting hammered on properties surrounding ours. Depending on your game laws it may be possible to shoot both, here you can kill a buck and doe the same day. Actually allowed to kill 3 does a day here.

[RTF]

A big fat doe over any buck any day IMO.

[RangerClay]

A big fat doe over any buck any day IMO.

Same here. But as Elkaholoic stated there are variables that can change the flavor. Get is cooled down and get the hide off ASAP and you will have good luck.

[Hoosierbuck]

Bucks yield more meat. I like big bucks for the wall and the freezer. For several years we marked our venison as doe/buck. There was no discernable difference, but our meat is VERY well taken care of and butchered perfectly (by me, of course.) That being said, if it's not a real nice buck, I'll let him grow and shoot 3 does instead, but mostly for the reason of letting him get even bigger for next year.

HB