Inedible

[Addicting]

Shot this rutty mule deer this year. I have heard stories of stinky inedible mule deer but never experienced it. My family actually prefers mule deer over Alfalfa fed whitetails. Have eaten a fat region G and Arizona pine country one with great success.

This rutted CO prairie one doesn’t smell and the flavor is ok. But dam if you can chew it. Better use would be a rubber mallet or indestructible dog chew. It could likely put Kong out of business.

If you have had one of these before did you find that grinding it made it better? Or will I just end up with chewy hamburger?

 

[rjthehunter]

I haven't had one that bad! But it'd make good jerky I bet. Definitely take all measures to ensure a tender steak. For example I'd marinade it, cook it rare to medium rare. Sous vide helps a lot with that!

 

[Addicting]

I haven't had one that bad! But it'd make good jerky I bet. Definitely take all measures to ensure a tender steak. For example I'd marinade it, cook it rare to medium rare. Sous vide helps a lot with that!

The tenderloins were hammered flat and marinated overnight. Breaded and fried for dinner. Could barely cut it with steak knife and my jaw is sore from eating 4 bites. Rest went in the trash.

Made that dish several times and it has always turned out amazing.

 

[cgasner1]

Pepperstick and summer sausage

 

[Hunting Wife]

We’ve had some tough critters over the years. I don’t remember ground things (burger, sausage, jerky) being any tougher than normal.

 

[Addicting]

Pepperstick and summer sausage

That is what I’m thinking is mixed with the pork it may make good snacks sticks.

 

[cgasner1]

I had to do it once they where fine same thing couldn’t chew threw the tender loins

 

[DFS]

Rutting muleys are not at the top of my list of game to eat. I’ve had one cow elk that was damn near inedible though. Probably depends on the animal.

 

[Addicting]

We’ve had some tough critters over the years. I don’t remember ground things (burger, sausage, jerky) being any tougher than normal.

His liver wasn’t smooth like normal and I found a ring worm on the outside of it. When I went to pull the liver out, it ripped fairly easily.

I didn’t see anything of concern in the rest of the deer besides some residual skin infections from fighting. He had cuts and scratches all over his neck from the rut.

Al Gore’s internet said it may of been lung worm. You may have more knowledge on what he had.

 

[WildWill]

Never ran into it with a mule deer but had a ram auodad that was like that. Ground the whole thing into summer sausage, pepperoni, and chorizo with a 60/40 pork shoulder mix. Didn't notice any extra chew it was good.

 

[Brad W]

You might consider picking up a jacquard to tenderize the steaks you want to keep. I use one to tenderize roasts that I intend to marinate and grill. It works well and I just pop it in the dishwasher to clean. I learned about it from Hank Shaw’s recipes

 

[Djfan]

I'll never get a buck mulie again. I can't stand that flavor. White tail does for me from now on.

Not trying to be sarcastic, but grind it into dog food?

 

[Nick87]

Grinder will take care of it.

 

[Addicting]

I'll never get a buck mulie again. I can't stand that flavor. White tail does for me from now on.

Not trying to be sarcastic, but grind it into dog food?

The steaks from yesterday were cubed into dog treats. Poor dog ate them whole and will be paying for that decision when it’s time to poop.

 

[MTTW]

I had an AK moose that way once, it hurt your teeth trying to eat it. We ground the whole thing, and it was easy to eat but you could tell that the small kernels of meat were chewy. Not a problem and tasted good which was a good thing because there was a bunch of it.

I have had a couple of mule deer that tasted nasty but never one that was super tough.

 

[mtmuley]

Grind it. Season it. Stuff it. I shot a mule deer buck in Nevada that you couldn't even stand the smell when cooking. Luckily I was moving back home to Montana and gave it to "friends ". mtmuley

 

[Uplander]

Pressure cook in an instapot

 

[BackofBeyond]

Grind it, or if you have a pressure canner give some of it a go canning to try, and if it works can a decent jag of it. We use canned venison for spaghetti and such when we forget to pull meat out of the freezer in the morning.

 

[TheGreek]

A rutted up mule deer buck I killed in NW CO in 2021 got significantly more tender after a year in the freezer.

That trick did not work on a young bull moose my buddy killed here in NW CO last year.

 

[Hunting Wife]

His liver wasn’t smooth like normal and I found a ring worm on the outside of it. When I went to pull the liver out, it ripped fairly easily.

I didn’t see anything of concern in the rest of the deer besides some residual skin infections from fighting. He had cuts and scratches all over his neck from the rut.

Al Gore’s internet said it may of been lung worm. You may have more knowledge on what he had.

Lung worms are pretty common, but don’t affect the liver. Can often be found if you slice open the airways. Maybe liver flukes? Lots of other parasites possible in the liver. Hard to say without seeing it.