Pronghorn Old Buck Taste

[Bam Bam]

Since moving to WY in 2020, I have eaten 7 pronghorns, and they are excellent table fare. However, my wife nor I have never killed an old buck. If I shoot an old buck this year, am I going to dislike the meat? Do older bucks have tougher meat, or a gamey taste to them?

 

[RyGuy]

I’ve personally never noticed a big difference. They all taste good to me!

 

[Gr8bawana]

I don't know that I've ever shot an old antelope but I have shot some from sage flats and 2 that were feeding in alfalfa fields and they were all delicious.
Also here in NV our rifle season is during the rut and I've never noticed any skunkiness like with rutting mule deer bucks.

 

[manitou1]

All taste the same to me.

re: big horns do not equate to old bucks. The WY state record was only like 2.5 years old IIRC.

 

[Bam Bam]

I don't know that I've ever shot an old antelope but I have shot some from sage flats and 2 that were feeding in alfalfa fields and they were all delicious.
Also here in NV our rifle season is during the rut and I've never noticed any skunkiness like with rutting mule deer bucks.

That was another question that I had, although I usually hunt during the pre-rut. Thanks, Gr8bawana.

 

[6mm Remington]

I've shot some old timers and they all have been very good eating.

 

[perma]

I had a younger and older buck from last year. I salt water brined them both before grinding them up. My wife and I couldn't tell you the difference except the date that was on the package.

 

[dc4836]

I don't know that I've ever shot an old antelope but I have shot some from sage flats and 2 that were feeding in alfalfa fields and they were all delicious.
Also here in NV our rifle season is during the rut and I've never noticed any skunkiness like with rutting mule deer bucks.

Fully agree. My NV antelope from last year was on the dinner menu at least twice a week.

 

[Walkathon]

Interesting question. Also - what would be considered an old Pronghorn in WY? I really don't have a grasp on how long they live.

 

[Bluffgruff]

8 year old buck from NM was probably the best tasting of any that I've had. With pronghorn, immediate and appropriate meat care takes precedence over everything else.

 

[Bam Bam]

Interesting question. Also - what would be considered an old Pronghorn in WY? I really don't have a grasp on how long they live.

I'm not sure what qualifies as old... but some of those bucks have blocky bodies with sagging bellies, and reaaaallly black faces. Those are the ones that look old to me, regardless of horn size.

 

[ccc23454]

They all taste delicious just get that hide off quickly and meat in a cooler as quick as possible.

 

[David Gough]

I don't know that I've ever shot an old antelope but I have shot some from sage flats and 2 that were feeding in alfalfa fields and they were all delicious.
Also here in NV our rifle season is during the rut and I've never noticed any skunkiness like with rutting mule deer bucks.

I mean, the HTLE season in Nevada seems pre-rut to me. I've seen pronghorn do some crazy shit in mid-late September.

Never had one taste anything but great. Get that hide off them and in a cooler ASAP.

 

[HiMtnHntr]

Never noticed a difference in taste of meat. While I’ve never had one officially aged I’ve taken a few with very warn molars. All have tasted great. I have seen research suggesting antelope peak in terms of horn growth around 3.5 years. In my experience a 5-6 yo buck is on the older side for antelope . There is one particular older buck that lives around our place I have adult buck pictures of dating back to 2017. That puts him in the 9-10 range. . .

 

[ccc23454]

Out of curiosity I pulled age data from WY G&F from 2022 harvest, here's front page of data and it's accurate reflection of all pages. 10.5 was oldest seen looking at few pages.

 

[Pucky Freak]

I could tell no difference in taste between a doe fawn and a 3.5 yr old buck that I killed in the same week.

 

[Walkathon]

@ccc23454 Good information. Didn't realize it was available on the WYGF site.

 

[Sheltowee]

Let me echo what others have said-- it will be delicious if you get it skinned, cooled and on ice as quickly as possible. Had this guy parted out so fast that the muscles were still twitching when he hit the cooler and he turned out fork tender.

 

[HiMtnHntr]

You look happy.

 

[Browning Rifles]

I was told that antelope meat was terrible tasting when I moved to Montana. Guys that said that were ride around and blow two legs off killers. I’ve killed a few. Does and nice bucks. Every one was stalked and shot. Some I waited for a while to stand up. Sage brush or alfalfa field they all taste the same. Damn good!!!! Region 7 or 5.