Rutting moose taste

[Sodbuster]

I have chewed on several killed throughout the Alaska season, all have been bulls and all have good eating.

 

[AKDoc]

I had some time this morning to scan numerous (and read through several) research studies referenced via the ADFG web site pertaining to rut impact on meat. My review of the research was certainly not exhaustive, nor should my statements here be considered conclusive...

ADFG appears to acknowledge that rutting caribou and moose have a bad reputation on the taste of the meat. ADFG also acknowledges that the meat of rutting bull caribou is (adversely) affected by hormonal discharge. However, ADFG states that the meat of rutting bull moose is not affected by hormonal discharge, but emphasizes that the hide is permeated with urine, which can (easily) adversely affect the meat upon contact, particularly field care when butchering.

http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=unit23.additional

https://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=hunting.eating

As a closing comment, it was kind of funny. I read a study that was done in 1961. It was a survey of several hundred hunters regarding the taste of pre-rut and rutting moose. The results were similar to what is reflected in this thread, i.e., predominantly no difference and yes different.

 

[Brian in AK]

There are soo many variables that can can affect meat quality, some like the weather are out of your control...

In all my years in the woods I've never seen a bull drink cow piss, seen them sniff it several times, but never drink it??? Cows don't make wallows filled with piss like a bull will (at least that I've seen). I have seen cows lay down in a bull wallow though.

Tip, when skinning, do every thing you can to keep the hair from touching the meat. Pull the quarters and work them on a tarp away from the hide. Use rubber gloves and change after skinning the hide and before handling the meat.

As far as the rut timing, read this article, I tend to agree with his observations because they match what I've seen over the years.

http://www.tokairservice.com/articles/the-science-behind-the-moose-rut-hunting-tips

Good luck and don't pass on an old bull because your worried about the meat quality, I've killed some older herd bulls that were excellent eating. You never know till you put a fork in it.

 

[Beendare]

I dunno the exact variables....but I have seen some terrible meat handling practices in the field that indicate to me this is part of the problem.

I typically re-glove after handling nasty Moose/Elk/Boar hides- sometimes multiple times ....and I think keeping that nasty stuff off the meat helps.

 

[MTSabo]

The one mature bull I shot had a liver that was like mush. Cut it open and had brown puss like fluid oozing. Which I assume was from the bull drinking piss. The rest of the meat was absolutely wonderful.

 

[rfra]

My Idaho Shiras was grunting and we called him 3/4 of a mile straight to us and he was looking to fight. I would call that full rut but not sure what others qualify? It is the absolute best game meat I have ever eaten, steaks are like fine grass fed beef, so good that my wife is 100% on board for me heading to Alaska to fill the freezer with moose meat again when this runs out.

 

[Maverick940]

taste like piss if you shoot one full on rut-style, but edible if your freezer is otherwise empty.

That's classic

 

[Foolar]

I had some time this morning to scan numerous (and read through several) research studies referenced via the ADFG web site pertaining to rut impact on meat. My review of the research was certainly not exhaustive, nor should my statements here be considered conclusive...

ADFG appears to acknowledge that rutting caribou and moose have a bad reputation on the taste of the meat. ADFG also acknowledges that the meat of rutting bull caribou is (adversely) affected by hormonal discharge. However, ADFG states that the meat of rutting bull moose is not affected by hormonal discharge, but emphasizes that the hide is permeated with urine, which can (easily) adversely affect the meat upon contact, particularly field care when butchering.

http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=unit23.additional

https://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=hunting.eating

As a closing comment, it was kind of funny. I read a study that was done in 1961. It was a survey of several hundred hunters regarding the taste of pre-rut and rutting moose. The results were similar to what is reflected in this thread, i.e., predominantly no difference and yes different.

As for me - any hormones leave their marks. That in animals, that in man. This is just an objective fact and no more. If there are problems, then they should be solved and not ignored.