Ask a room of hunters which wild game tastes best and the debate can last all night. Taste depends on the animal’s diet, the season and above all on how the meat was handled. These are the species that come up most often.
Big game
- Elk: mild, sweet and often the top pick among western hunters
- Pronghorn: delicate and excellent when cooled quickly; poor handling gives it a bad reputation
- Deer: whitetail and mule deer from farm country are mild; field care matters most
- Javelina: good in carnitas, stews and sausage when skinned and cooled quickly
- Bear: rich and excellent from animals feeding on berries and acorns; always cooked through
Birds
- Wild turkey: lean breast meat and flavorful legs best braised
- Dove: dark, rich breast meat, famous wrapped and grilled
- Quail: mild and tender, often roasted whole
- Ducks: puddle ducks feeding on grain are prized; diving ducks can taste stronger
Small game
Squirrel and rabbit are classic table fare, best braised, fried or in stews. Young animals are tender; older ones do best cooked low and slow.
Why game sometimes tastes gamey
- Meat that stayed warm too long after the shot
- Hair, dirt or gut contents on the meat
- Fat and silver skin left on, especially on deer and pronghorn
- Overcooking lean meat until it turns dry and livery
Cooking lean meat
Wild game has little fat, so steaks and backstraps are best cooked hot and fast and served pink in the middle, within safe temperature guidance. Tougher cuts belong in a slow cooker, braise or grinder.
For temperatures and health checks, see Wild Game Food Safety.
Diet and season
What an animal eats shapes how it tastes. Deer feeding on crops and acorns tend to be milder than deer browsing on sage. Bears feeding on berries and nuts are prized, while bears feeding on carrion or fish are less so. Rut can make bucks and bulls stronger tasting, which is one reason many hunters prefer younger animals or does for the table.
Getting the best from every species
The common thread is speed. Fast cooling, clean handling and careful trimming bring out the best in every animal on this list, from a dove to a bull elk.