Elk vs Moose meat, which is better ?

[KodiakBeer]

Game meat is only "gamey" if you hang it to "tenderize" it. If you butcher in the field (easier than it sounds) so the meat can bleed out, it will have no gamey taste whatsoever. Most of the gamey taste comes from the hide while hanging, from drying out while hanging or the blood coagulating within the meat... while hanging.

Any butcher (who's actually gone through training) can explain why hanging game doesn't tenderize or improve the flavor, but makes it taste worse. Basically, the fat within meat like cattle and pigs breaks down and improves the flavor and texture. However, game meat has no fat within the meat so hanging it only allows it to dry out, etc.

 

[ForneyRider]

Haven't had elk.

Caribou > deer > moose.

Moose is huge, so having moose for several meals a week can get old.

Marinated moose fajitas have been great.

 

[jleyring]

Moose is better, but both are good.

 

[FROGO207]

Harvested both. Which is better??? The one that is on the dinner plate today is the clear winner for me. They both have distinct flavors and both taste good.

 

[shooterIII]

(1) Moose

(2) Elk

 

[Big Bill]

Definitely moose 1st, then bison, next elk, then deer and antelope...

 

[Arkansas Paul]

Never had moose. Elk is great though, very similar to whitetail to me. I've had it pan fried and of course ground in chili. Nothing better. And the gamey taste is what makes it good. If I want it to taste like beef, I'll just go buy beef.

 

[MinnMooney]

Is moose meat greasy like the black bear ?

You're inferring that bear meat is "greasy"? I've shot and eaten 3 bear in my life and have never found bear meat to be greasy. Mine have all tasted somewhat like venison but better - more moist. It takes something for me to like anything more than venison. I could - and have - lived on venison.

 

[Arkansas Paul]

I could - and have - lived on venison.

I have too brother. There were times growing up when we were so broke that's all we had. Luckily we lived in Alabama, where at the time you could legally kill an insane amount of deer per year. Don't know if it's still like that now. I know that for about a seven or eight month period, if we ate meat, it was deer. And you know what? I never heard anybody around the house complain.

 

[jaybirdjtski]

Nothing better than sheep back straps cooked over an open campfire.
Trophy size males are usually not the best eating with any species.
I like elk and moose equally. Spike bull elk are great. There is something to be said for using a caliber that will put down an animal quickly. The ones that you have to track don't come out tasting as good.
Deer and antelope, not my favorites.
I'll find out about bison this winter.

 

[jim in Anchorage]

You like what you like, but IMO I would rather eat trash then a rutted up bull caribou. [apparently they drink the cows urine to see if they are in heat]. Moose is excellent and the only ones I have ever eaten where in rut[thats when the season is].