tenderness with deer meat

[pike2]

one thing i forgot to factor in with the smoker times and temps,  is the age and sex of the deer,    a a big doe of any age is alittle more tender then a buck of the same age,  a young doe to a spike buck or button buck makes for a  tender and good eating, with the meat already tender  the end results can very.

 

[sirhuntsalot]

It's hard to say with deer. I think tenderness also has a lot to do with how the deer was handled and if it was stressed after the shot. I've shot big old bucks that have been tender and the toughest deer I ever ate was an old doe. Even the back straps were like leather. A young doe is hard to beat most times.

 

[pike2]

it could be the region and diet but here in iowa any doe will be alittle better eating,  always go for that big buck more for prosperity  but if all we get is a doe it doesn't really bother me at all