Bull Meat?

[fieldking#1]

I'm wanting to get a big bull this year.... but one problem.  I've heard that old big bulls have hard tough meat. Is that true?  Since spike elk are younger do you think it would be more tender?  If that is the case should I put in for a spike not a bull.

[ICEMAN]

"Put in" for a spike? Isn't it a little late to be thinking of that?

Sorry, I am just not getting it...

[buglebuster]

 

[fieldking#1]

I just checked the regs the due date is may 22.  I must of forgot to read it          

[RadSav]

Without question the very best eating bull I have ever killed was a spike in the Winston late season (back when we could do that) He ran out into the Green River before dropping in 3' of water with a film of ice.  But, was that because he was a spike or because he was cooled of almost instantaneously upon field dressing?  I'd say my second best tasting bull was my Oregon 7X7.  He was the oldest bull I have ever killed.  So dang big I could barely get both feet on the ground as I straddled him to try and take some pictures.  We quartered him and hung the meat in the trees until the next morning to pack it out.  Even the hind quarters were almost frozen solid that next morning.  Man, was it Brrrrr Cold!!!  More recently the wife killed a super tasty mid sized cow in the late season that chilled pretty darned good before we got all the quarters to the truck.

Hmmm!  I'm seeing a theme, don't you?  Over the years I've come to the conclusion that good eats, in relation to elk, have more to do with getting them cooled rapidly than it does the age of the animal.  I haven't seen that much difference in deer.  But elk just seem to eat better cooled fast, IMO.  Don't get me wrong, they all eat good and I have never had bad elk!!!  I just see a noticeable improvement when the opportunity lines up with favorable weather or quick to the cooler animals.

Sure wish I could still get some good big bull hunting in the late season!  Maybe someday I'll get drawn for that!  Myself and all those others with max points are hoping next year is the year.

[grundy53]

getting the heat knocked down fast is the most important thing.

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[Button Nubbs]

And a quick kill.

[nwwanderer]

Early season before the rut if you must shoot the big bull.  He might lose 40% of his body weight chasing and defending cows,  Where he is white (fat covered) in August be is blue (no fat) in November.  If your goal is table use this is my order of preference: calf, dry cow, cow, spike, mature bull.  This is not a perfect system, always taste test before you process.  I have had stringy little calves and good old bulls.

[buglebuster]

Early season before the rut if you must shoot the big bull.  He might lose 40% of his body weight chasing and defending cows,  Where he is white (fat covered) in August be is blue (no fat) in November.  If your goal is table use this is my order of preference: calf, dry cow, cow, spike, mature bull.  This is not a perfect system, always taste test before you process.  I have had stringy little calves and good old bulls.

I dont understand how dry cow goes above a spike on your list a 1 1/2 year old elk is the best table fare you can get wether it be a spike or cow. Those old dry cows are most of the time justas tough as a bull. My 6x7 in 2011 was excellent btw.

[grundy53]

??

sent from my typewriter

[bobcat]

To me, elk meat is elk meat. It's all good. I have never noticed a difference between cow or bull, big bull or small bull.

[JPhelps]

To me post rut bulls (rifle) aren't as good, but still good.  I would rather kill a bull during the rut than after (I don't know why it is different than deer).  I thought last year that my old bull was going to be gross but it was one of the better tasting/tender elk we have ever ate.  He had over 2" of fat all over the hind end.

[75johndeere]

Agreed I think it has more to do with meat prep I shot a 6x6 last year in montana that tasted better than my spikes from washington. Granted where I shot my spikes rifle season it was still pretty warm and last years bull got boned out on the spot and staged in the snow he was old as hell too had no teeth left.

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[D-Rock425]

Jason did you guys use the gutless method there with your bull?

[JPhelps]

Yeah, no gutting for me anymore.