My new favorite wild game meat...

steelhead22 · 09-29-2007, 08:53 PM

ANTELOPE!!!

Man, I freakin' love the stuff. I have had it in the past, and it was....bad, to say the least, extremely "gamey" (as people put it).

This year in Montana, we had a chance to take a few and made sure that they were field dressed and skinned ASAP. I've noticed A LOT of guys here in Oregon just leave the hide on until they get back to camp. BIG MISTAKE! All of the goats we shot were skinned within 15 minutes of hittin' the ground. My buddies dad (and basically our guide for the trip) says that if the skin isn't off within an hour, you're guaranteed to get sub-par quality of meat. Clearly, this is THE single most important part of caring for this meat, because cared for correctly, it's outstanding.

I can't believe I'm going to say this, but....antelope is better than elk, hands down!

HuntnCoug · 09-29-2007, 09:05 PM

I am from eastern montana and I have never had a good antelope steak. You must have a secret recipe on preparing and cooking them. Please fill me in!

HawkeyeBilt · 09-30-2007, 12:21 AM

I love southern Oregon Blacktails!

SlamminKokes · 09-30-2007, 12:34 AM

I totally agree with steelhead22! The antelope i got this year is better than elk or deer! I think getting it cooled down is the key! The night that i got mine it got down to 28 degrees which also helped i think!

Cliff D. · 09-30-2007, 05:32 AM

I've been told to skin and ice ASAP, but i guess i'll have to hunt Wyoming if i want to find out for my self.

RidgeRunner · 09-30-2007, 05:36 AM

Best meat I have ever had. When we got our antelope a few years ago, we had them skinned in about 1 1/2 hours and into the freezer that we brought with us. I can't wait for another goat tag. yum yum yum.

blacktailaddict · 09-30-2007, 06:34 AM

He's right antelope is awesome! like Cliff D said the key is to quarter it and pack it in ice to cool as soon as you can

Bait Bucket · 09-30-2007, 06:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HuntnCoug

I am from eastern montana and I have never had a good antelope steak. You must have a secret recipe on preparing and cooking them.

They all taste like a wet goat smells.

SILVERSINK · 09-30-2007, 07:13 AM

Man, you guys would love Carabou

Sea Jypzee · 09-30-2007, 07:20 AM

I love antelope, but couldn't stand Caribou the one time I've had it.

LuckyStrike · 09-30-2007, 09:25 AM

Fellas I believe except for mergansers, it is all in how you handle the meat prior to the time it is cooked...(Don't think there is anything you can do to make a fish duck taste good)

I never thought I would ever like bear but a friend cooked some up for me and it was quite good.

Whoever said they like any game more the elk I must question.. Elk to me is the filet mignon of big game. Never had a bad elk steak. Have eaten mule deer that tasted like sage, sage hen that tasted like pheasants (which is my favorite game bird).

LS

Ethical hunter · 09-30-2007, 10:18 AM

Mulie rump roast is #1, Mallard thighs #2 and then antalope.

EH

Don Becker · 09-30-2007, 10:34 AM

I've eaten pronghorn twice and it's great. I do know both were promptly taken care of. Don

gerberman · 09-30-2007, 10:55 AM

The only way to take care of antelope is when it hits the ground get the hide off and into the shade or a cooler on ice, I have gotten them in Montana and Oregon and took care of them the same, and both were sweet and tender. A quick shot on the ground use a tarp to keep it clean and get it in the cooler, I always take two coolers, one full of ice and one ready for the meat. I quarter the goat or bone it out, put ice on the bottom of the empty cooler, put in meat, cover with ice, I put the ice in freezer zip log bags so no water gets on the meat but it cools very fast. Even my wife asks when I can go back and get some more of that great meat. straight shooting.

DRUNK COWBOY · 09-30-2007, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gerberman

The only way to take care of antelope is when it hits the ground get the hide off and into the shade or a cooler on ice, I have gotten them in Montana and Oregon and took care of them the same, and both were sweet and tender. A quick shot on the ground use a tarp to keep it clean and get it in the cooler, I always take two coolers, one full of ice and one ready for the meat. I quarter the goat or bone it out, put ice on the bottom of the empty cooler, put in meat, cover with ice, I put the ice in freezer zip log bags so no water gets on the meat but it cools very fast. Even my wife asks when I can go back and get some more of that great meat. straight shooting.

Skin, cut and ice.

Reel Obsession · 10-07-2007, 12:32 AM

Hey Steelhead, no arguments here!
We hunt Wyo most years, and antelope is our main source of red meat as we usually put 4-6 in the freezer. Last year, my 13 year old daughter filled 2 doe tags, and her buck tag. My wife filled her buck tag, and then decided it was too cold and windy to try and fill her doe tag, and I only had a doe tag as I was guiding my daughter. So 5 in the freezer on 6 tags, all excellent. In Wyo, it is common to see hunters riding around with a prairie goat in the bed of their truck, or on a dusty receiver rack, always with the skin still on. As soon as we fill a tag, we always field dress, take back to camp and skin, bag and transport to a locker to cool and hang. Rarely do we get a anything other than great tasting meat. We also make sure to trim away as much fat as possible when we cut and wrap. If there is going to be a strong taste, it will come from the fat and sinew.

nehalemguy · 10-07-2007, 05:00 AM

It can been pretty tasty when handled properly. Antelope will sour quickly from their own body heat if the are not skinned and cooled soon after being shot. I have eaten four now and the only one that was poor tasting was the one that I waited to skin back at camp after hauling it out.

E

longarm · 10-07-2007, 10:12 AM

Have eaten 2 from Wyoming with excellent results.
Only ate from 1 caribou but found that also to be delicious.
Makes me hungry just thinking about it..

Joe · 10-07-2007, 11:37 AM

I agree! Antelope is the best wild game in my opinion. I've been on three hunts between myself and my boys and we always skin them on the spot and ice down in coolers. Very tasty!!!!!!!

My bighorn sheep was similar in flavor and texture I thought but a little chewy. Probably due to the fact it was an 8 year old animal??

Try some boer goat if ya get a chance! Very tasy too....