2019 moose was 9 years old

[Sr15]

Was suprising to find out that my 2019 49 degree north moose was 9 years old. Now I know why meat is tough
It sure make good burger though as flavor is great. Curious how old other tag holders moose were. You can find out with wild ID here
https://wdfw.wa.gov/hunting/requirements/harvest-reporting/tooth-lookup

[Duckslayer89]

Do you have a pic of him? Interesting to see a pic knowing the age!

[grundy53]

Was suprising to find out that my 2019 49 degree north moose was 9 years old. Now I know why meat is tough
It sure make good burger though as flavor is great. Curious how old other tag holders moose were. You can find out with wild ID here
https://wdfw.wa.gov/hunting/requirements/harvest-reporting/tooth-lookup

I was surprised too when I found out mine was 9 years old. I was thinking 3 or 4.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

[trophyhunt]

Haven’t got results of age back yet, but I’m not impressed with the meat. But the burger is pretty good!

[RB]

Did you guys get your Moose in October? I am wondering how the early hunts in some of the units is with all the Deer hunters around?

[Sr15]

My moose was the november late tag so very little hunting pressure.

[WAcoueshunter]

Mine was 8, and meat is tender and fantastic. We had a younger one about 10 years ago that was really tough. No idea what the difference might be, but it is night and day.

[RB]

My moose was the november late tag so very little hunting pressure.

Nice Bull!

And thanks for the reply

[timberfaller]

Hang time??

Never had any "tuff" moose!  But then all my moose meat came from Canadians species.

Just like my beef, two weeks minimum,  yum yum!!

[WAcoueshunter]

Not really aged except a few days at the butcher. But I did gut it and half skin to cool, then it was left on the mountain in cold temps for about 24 hours before it was cut up. So it came back out of rigamortis before being cut. I haven’t really experimented with that, but have heard it can help.

[huntnnw]

age of moose seems to have no bearing on tenderness of steaks..it seems to be a crap shoot when it comes to moose meat. I have had older bulls that were tender and young bulls that were like rubber

[HillHound]

My 2018 bull was early season and rutting hard. Meat was great. But we did hang it for 2 weeks. WDFW said he was 7.

[Onewhohikes]

Did he still have teeth left?

[Dirty Mike]

My 2019 bull was 4yrs Old

[Ridgerunner]

Mine was 8, tough meat too. 

[scrapperdude]

I'd like to experience this problem

[Buckjunkie]

Mine was 8 years old and was tough. Like others, the taste was fine. Lots of burger and pepperoni.

[HillHound]

Only 8!!!??? Wow I figured he would have been 12+. Great genetics and food source I guess

[Buckjunkie]

That’s what I thought too

[jrebel]

Anyone know if there is a place to send teeth from moose shot outside of WA to have them aged?  I would love to know how old my 19 canada moose was? 

[Pegasus]

age of moose seems to have no bearing on tenderness of steaks..it seems to be a crap shoot when it comes to moose meat. I have had older bulls that were tender and young bulls that were like rubber

Eat moose steaks while they are red hot. If they chill much they turn to shoe leather. That is what I have been told by some.

[jrebel]

age of moose seems to have no bearing on tenderness of steaks..it seems to be a crap shoot when it comes to moose meat. I have had older bulls that were tender and young bulls that were like rubber

Eat moose steaks while they are red hot. If they chill much they turn to shoe leather. That is what I have been told by some.

In Canada the butchers turn most of their steak into "minute steak".  When I had my first elk butchered up their they ask if I wanted minute steak and how much I wanted.  Not knowing what they were talking about I ask them to just do a standard cut and give me some minuet steak.   

After I got home, I found out minute steak is basically cubed steak.   It is delicious and makes it very tender.  I should have known better......these guys cut and eat a lot more moose than I do.   If they ask about a certain cut, you should stick to their suggestion.      For those with moose in their freezer, if you don't have a cuber you should buy one.  Minute steak is a fantastic way to eat tough moose.  Hot cast iron pan with butter in it to sear off a minute state generously seasoned with salt and pepper....mmmmmmmm.....doesn't get much better.  Literally 30 seconds on both sides and eat.   

[Buckjunkie]

+1

I have started cubing all but the most tender cuts. Helps limit the amount of burger and turns tough meat into delicious cuts. We eat a lot of burger, but with multiple hunters in the family we were getting too much before we started cubing.

[Roobugsdad]

My 2018 Bull was 11 yrs old. Steaks are a little tough. Still taste great and the burger is awesome. I was very surprised at the age of my bull.

[Miles]

If I remember correctly, my bull was 8.5 years old.   I personally think the quality of the meat has to do with how you care for it immediately following the harvest.  We got it out quickly, packed the chest cavity with bottles of frozen water, stitched it up with rope, then got it to a cooler.   When we registered it, the outside of the hide was cooled enough that you could tell the difference when touching it.   Never had a steak that was tough.

Second most important part is cooking.   Certain individuals can turn any steak into jerky.

[Buckjunkie]

If I remember correctly, my bull was 8.5 years old.   I personally think the quality of the meat has to do with how you care for it immediately following the harvest.  We got it out quickly, packed the chest cavity with bottles of frozen water, stitched it up with rope, then got it to a cooler.   When we registered it, the outside of the hide was cooled enough that you could tell the difference when touching it.   Never had a steak that was tough.

Second most important part is cooking.   Certain individuals can turn any steak into jerky.

[qoute]

I agree with you...care and preparation makes a difference. Antelope makes a huge difference when you get them on ice quick. That said, I have killed 2 Shiras moose and my son has 1. All were taken care of and cooled quickly. All were tough. Taste was fine, but real chewy.

I have only been in on 3 so it’s anecdotal, but I have talked many other guys that had the same experience.

[Roobugsdad]

I agree with buckjunkie, my moose was taken care of and in a cooler within a couple hours. delicious, but a little chewy.

[Blsum]

So I shot my 2019 bull on Oct. 20th. After my bull was loaded in the truck we beat feet to get home (Olympia area). Once we hit the road headed home we noticed a game check point just outside of Chewelah. We decided to stop. Figuring that the folks at the check point probably don't get many chances to see a moose. Of course everyone at the check point wanted to check him out. I had them remove the tooth that they wanted. They took my information and told me that they would contact me later for more info. So the same day my bull was harvested the wdfw had my tooth. I've been checking at leSt once a week since this thread was started to see how old my bull was. Still to this day it says the results are still pending. I'm sure the pandemic isn't helping anything. So once I find out how old my bull is I will let everyone know. Not knowing how old my bull is I do have to say that the meat has been amazing. Every steak I've cooked has been nice and tender.

[tmike]

Mine was 4 and I was surprised he was that young. Steaks were a little tough but tasty.

[Blsum]

Well I finally found out the age of my bull. 7 years old. I would have never guessed he was that old, at least by how tender he is.

[Dirty Mike]

Well I finally found out the age of my bull. 7 years old. I would have never guessed he was that old, at least by how tender he is.

Bout Time 😂😂😂

[steeleywhopper]

My Grandfathers 2013 Selkirk bull was 12years old and tuff as nails. Had to take all the steaks back and have them ground into burger.

[greenhead_killer]

Mine was 7. Everything has been great on the eating side.

[huntnnw]

moose and age means nothing with meat toughness. Ive seen 2 yr old bulls eat like car tires and old bulls be super tender

[nwwanderer]

Thus the pre cut taste test is always advisable, was unable to age mine, tasted great, to stages past tough

[Skyvalhunter]

How does one see a 2yr old eat like a car tire?

[trophyhunt]

My results came back and my moose was 8 years old, happens to be my lucky number. 

[huntsonofgun]

My 2019 bull was 9 years old. Most of it was tender but the last steaks are a little tuff.

[millerwheeler]

moose and age means nothing with meat toughness. Ive seen 2 yr old bulls eat like car tires and old bulls be super tender

 It’s all in how ya cook it I think

[huntnnw]

How does one see a 2yr old eat like a car tire?

  Its pretty common with moose to be hit or miss for tenderness. This particular piece was a backstrap that was marinated and cooked over charcoal to rare and wasnt edible. Its been 17 years since I tried eating that and remember it to this day as the toughest thing Ive eaten. He ended up either slow cooking the steaks and thawing a bunch and burger. I shot my moose every steak cut was test grilled.