Antelope Question

lizziedog1 · October 15, 2009, 06:25 AM

I didn't draw an antelope tag again. At least my points are adding up. I should be ahead of what the Raiders score on an average game.

Anyway, what are they like as far as being good table fare? This is one game animal that seems to bring out extremes in opinions.

Most folks agree that elk is very good to eat. Regular deer meat seems to get favorable reviews from people that have tried it. Ask ten people if they like antelope, you are likely to get five to say they love it and the other five say they can't stand it.

Who likes antelope meat? How would you compare to other game animals?

Art Eatman · October 15, 2009, 08:16 AM

I've only killed one antelope. Yummy-tasty. Very rich and surprisingly filling. It took less than I expected to feel quite sated. But I hated to quit!

taylorce1 · October 15, 2009, 11:26 AM

It isn't my favorite, that is Elk. However I will not turn down properly prepared Pronghorn. A lot of people overcook their game meat and destroy the taste of it.

Another problem with pronghorn is how much they have been ran before they were shot, or how long it took people to take care of their meat. Pronghorn season runs when temps could be as high as 90 degrees. If you don't get the hide off and the meat cooled ASAP it is bound to be a little funky.

Scorch · October 15, 2009, 12:04 PM

I like antelope. Properly cleaned, prepped, and cooked, it is delicious.

davlandrum · October 15, 2009, 12:24 PM

Has anyone notice a difference between the taste of alfalfa field (or any field) antelope and those that live soley on the sage flats? My buddy and I were speculating that may be why there is such a range of opinions on the taste. The one time I had it, it was OK at best - but I have no knowledge about how it was handled in the field.

Daryl · October 15, 2009, 12:55 PM

I prefer the taste of antelope to just about any other meat I've eaten...as long as the meat is well cared for.

Most of them I've eaten were taken off of alfalfa fields in Colorado, and I prefer the taste of the meat to deer, elk, buffalo, or caribou when it's cared for properly. One I took in northern Az on a grassy high country meadow was just as good.

If you don't take really good care of the meat, they probably aren't worth eating. it can get pretty rank at times if neglected.

I've taken two with a bow, and two with a rifle, and all four were excellent eating.

ETA (to answer the post above this one) I've never eaten antelope from a sage flat, but I've eaten some elk that was taken from cedar covered hills. The meat was...lwt's say, less than tasty. What they're eating can definitely make a difference.

Daryl

oneounceload · October 15, 2009, 02:51 PM

fondued, cooked with teriyaki, wrapped with bacon - there are many ways that it tastes good. As mentioned above - this is one animal you want to anchor DRT with your shot and dressed and skinned immediately

BigJimP · October 15, 2009, 05:09 PM

I killed a lot of Antelope in eastern Montana when I was a kid ......

For the most part - we cooked it like a "Swiss Steak" - brown it first, then cook it in a gravy sauce with onions, bacon ..whatever you like - to tenderize it a little. I prefer a non-tomato based gravy / but that's just me. It tends to be tough / but the sauce takes a lot of the gameiness out of it too.

Part of the trick to Antelope - is you don't want to kill one that has been run for 10,000 yards accross the prarie / its better to catch them near a break in the prarie when they are coming to water in the morning or evening.

BigJimP · October 15, 2009, 05:31 PM

Antelope is real lean meat / and you're only going to get 35 lbs of meat or so out an animal anyway ......but I guess what I was trying to say is cook it like you would a "goat" .......

cut it into medalions, pound it pretty thin, use a little flower, a good rich gravy with some onions and mushrooms ( damn, there is a reason I grew up to be 6'5" and 290 lbs ..) but my grandma was the "head cook" in the family ......if you have a roast, treat it like a "pot roast" and put it in the oven in a heavy pot - with carrots, onions, mushrooms ..... / the same technique works for venizon too ( especially if you killed an old buck - that you should have probably passed on ....).

The other option is to grind it up / into big sausage patties - but you need to mix it with something fatty ( like black bear, or pork, or get some pork fat trimmings ) ........ we used to do that with venizon too / grandpa and my dad and I ate sausage patties for breakfast a lot ....when I was a kid ( fried in bacon grease..) at grandma's house. damn, I'm hungry now .....

Kreyzhorse · October 15, 2009, 06:19 PM

Antelope is the BEST wild game I've ever tasted. Now, I've heard more than a few people talk about how nasty antelope can be.

My theory is of course that sage feeding antelope have a difference taste than antelope that have been eating other fare. Just my theory of course, as all of my antelope have been plains antelope where sage had to be most of their diet.

All of my antelope have come from the Casper, Wyoming area by the way. As mentioned, it is very lean and I have my suet added to my ground antelope to help with cooking. The prime cuts are tasty by themselves.

Rembrandt · October 15, 2009, 06:54 PM

Like any game animal, if it has been stressed and running the blood and adrenaline get pumped through the muscle tissue and give a strong taste. Antelope feeding on sage and running will taste like sage. Take one that is calm and relaxing at a waterhole, they are great eating.

cornbush · October 15, 2009, 07:14 PM

It is my favorite followed closely by elk. As others have said, the hide has to come off quick and get it cool as fast as you can. The key to cooking it is to add a little fat of some kind and dont over cook. In my experience it does not do good on the grill as it is too lean, even wrapped in bacon it dries out too fast.

Crankylove · October 15, 2009, 07:56 PM

[QUOTE][I prefer the taste of antelope to just about any other meat I've eaten/QUOTE]

What he said ^

Quite tasty, and fun to hunt too. Throw it in a skillet with half a stick of butter, some onions, and cook it up on medium heat...........my mouth is watering just from typing that. I have heard many people say it is too gamey, or just down right nasty, but would have to say they had meat that wasnt properly cared for.

freedom475 · October 15, 2009, 08:28 PM

It is probly my favorite... My wife doesn't care for game meat but she Likes Antelope!

30-30remchester · October 15, 2009, 09:04 PM

I just shot my 31st antelope 2 weeks ago. I have shot them in every kind of food sourse. I can attest to their excellent taste. One of my favorite wild meats.

duck911 · October 19, 2009, 08:53 PM

My favorite wild game meat, hands down.

FrankenMauser · October 20, 2009, 02:13 AM

Prarie Maggots are good stuff. You just have to get them skinned, cooled, and butchered much faster than most game.

As far as alfalfa vs sage goes... I have no idea. All I can tell you is that I still love antelope, and every one I've ever eaten was of the 'sage' variety.

Speed Goats!!

DRice.72 · October 20, 2009, 08:23 AM

*stares at the bowl of oatmeal in front of me*

Wrong time to read this post!

elkman06 · October 22, 2009, 08:57 PM

Yep, opinions vary. I too have eaten them off of alfalfa as well as sage. The alfalfa variety seems a lot better to me. Still below elk, deer, and moose on my scale. Sage types get turned into jerky or sausage sticks. Alfalfa variety at least ends up partially as steak.
elkman06

GB in WY · October 26, 2009, 11:36 PM

Seems to me that there is no middle ground on goat. It is either good eats or it ain't fit to feed the dogs:barf:.... Has a lot to do with how it was shot. (did you run it for a couple of miles with one or more holes shot through it?

If so it ain't going to be very tasty!

And how it is taken care of after the fun part is over is key to the taste..I carry atleast ten gallons of water to clean the blood and hair from the critter and to help cool the meat...Most of the hunting in SW Wyoming is done during warm weather and getting the animal cooled down is important. I also believe that little is gained in "aging" antelope as it is a delicate meat. Mine is usually in the freeze within 24 hours. I like antelope meat better than deer and almost as well as Elk.

Swampghost · October 27, 2009, 12:08 AM

Many years ago a friend brought some Elk back and it was so bad that I can't compare it to anything else. It certainly cured me from hunting for them.

'Lopes are another question mark. I'll TRY most anything. I know that they're eaten over a good section of the planet.

FrankenMauser · October 27, 2009, 02:03 AM

Quote:

I'll TRY most anything. I know that they're eaten over a good section of the planet.

So are dogs and rats.

I love me some speed goat, but you opened the door. I had to walk through it...

HiBC · October 27, 2009, 03:51 AM

I should probably shut up and let lopes have a bad rep,but in my experience,the natural forage for them is sage and it works fine.If you do a few things right,there is no "wild taste".It could be store bought.
Cooking does not need to be more complex than: Backstrap,chops,browned in garlic butter.Round,slice thin,cure w/Morton tenderquick,smoke a few hours,dry to jerky
Everything else,shoulder,trimmings,etc,stew meat size pieces,flour them,brouwn them,eat them,maybe a little lLawreys and pepper.Want a little gravyishness? spill a little beer in to deglaze,Yeah,you can go to stroghanoof or ?

But,antelope season is warm and early.Get the hide off fast,and get the quarters in a refrigerator the same day you shoot it.

Ive noticed critters often have a baseball or so sized full bladder.Its real good if you can identify and remove a bladder without spilling it into the body cavity.Really,go buy a nice ribeye,whiz on it,marinate it a few hours/days,it will have a wild taste.Think wire zip ties.

Unless you have a walk-in cooler and can maintain temps in the 30's,FORGET AGING!!! Hanging meat at 68 degrees will disappoint you.

For myself,I bone everything.There is a taste from bandsawing through venison or antelope bone that I do not like.

But really,try ice cube size pieces,seasoned and browned in garlic butter in a cast iron pan.Leave some pink,and try it

Now,I forgot the handle of the gentleman who thought elk was not palatable.

I think perhaps your elk was mishandled.

elkman06 · October 27, 2009, 02:21 PM

Quote:

I think perhaps your elk was mishandled.

+43 on this comment. Elk is one of the best wild game meats out there. While I have a special fondness for Rocky Mtn Muley, I still appreciate elk very much and eat the heck out of it.
The very best piece of wild meat I have ever eaten was a cut from the carcass tenderloin out of an elk. It was 5pm on a 10degree day w/ me still a mile from the truck and half an elk to get there.
Antelope is toward the lower end of the spectrum for me personally but very good when you are hungry. Unfortunately a lot of people tend to compare all of the above w/ beef. You don't compare pork to beef,,right?
elkman06

Phoneguy · October 27, 2009, 05:35 PM

I have killed and eaten at least 8 Antelope. I have only had some ground meat that tasted bad. My experience is that #1. As soon as possible get the hide off and try to keep the hair off the meat. The hair is what tastes bad. We take a box of disposable rubber gloves and it helps to rub hair off the meat. #2 Doe and fawn meat is better than an old buck. Our last trip to Wyoming 7 of us brought home more than 20 Antelope. Nobody complained about the taste. My Wife told me that if I didn't kill anymore deer that was ok as long as I brought home lots of Antelope.

October 15, 2009, 12:04 PM	#4
Scorch Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: Washington state Posts: 15,248	I like antelope. Properly cleaned, prepped, and cooked, it is delicious. __________________ Never try to educate someone who resists knowledge at all costs. But what do I know? Summit Arms Services

October 15, 2009, 12:24 PM	#5
davlandrum Senior Member Join Date: February 27, 2006 Location: Lane County Oregon Posts: 2,547	Has anyone notice a difference between the taste of alfalfa field (or any field) antelope and those that live soley on the sage flats? My buddy and I were speculating that may be why there is such a range of opinions on the taste. The one time I had it, it was OK at best - but I have no knowledge about how it was handled in the field. __________________ U.S Army, Retired Ethics is knowing the difference between what you have a right to do and what is right to do. -Potter Stewart

October 15, 2009, 12:55 PM	#6
Daryl Senior Member Join Date: July 11, 2008 Posts: 2,350	I prefer the taste of antelope to just about any other meat I've eaten...as long as the meat is well cared for. Most of them I've eaten were taken off of alfalfa fields in Colorado, and I prefer the taste of the meat to deer, elk, buffalo, or caribou when it's cared for properly. One I took in northern Az on a grassy high country meadow was just as good. If you don't take really good care of the meat, they probably aren't worth eating. it can get pretty rank at times if neglected. I've taken two with a bow, and two with a rifle, and all four were excellent eating. ETA (to answer the post above this one) I've never eaten antelope from a sage flat, but I've eaten some elk that was taken from cedar covered hills. The meat was...lwt's say, less than tasty. What they're eating can definitely make a difference. Daryl Last edited by Daryl; October 15, 2009 at 01:02 PM.

October 15, 2009, 06:19 PM	#10
Kreyzhorse Senior Member Join Date: April 12, 2006 Location: NKY Posts: 12,463	Antelope is the BEST wild game I've ever tasted. Now, I've heard more than a few people talk about how nasty antelope can be. My theory is of course that sage feeding antelope have a difference taste than antelope that have been eating other fare. Just my theory of course, as all of my antelope have been plains antelope where sage had to be most of their diet. All of my antelope have come from the Casper, Wyoming area by the way. As mentioned, it is very lean and I have my suet added to my ground antelope to help with cooking. The prime cuts are tasty by themselves. __________________ "He who laughs last, laughs dead." Homer Simpson

October 15, 2009, 08:28 PM	#14
freedom475 Senior Member Join Date: November 18, 2008 Location: Rocky Mountains of Montana Posts: 292	It is probly my favorite... My wife doesn't care for game meat but she Likes Antelope! __________________ Maker of Horse Tack and Cowboy Gear. www.7xleather.com Mister, why do you carry a 45? "Cause Sam Colt don't make a 46."

October 15, 2009, 06:25 AM	#1
lizziedog1 Senior Member Join Date: November 23, 2005 Posts: 289	Antelope Question I didn't draw an antelope tag again. At least my points are adding up. I should be ahead of what the Raiders score on an average game. Anyway, what are they like as far as being good table fare? This is one game animal that seems to bring out extremes in opinions. Most folks agree that elk is very good to eat. Regular deer meat seems to get favorable reviews from people that have tried it. Ask ten people if they like antelope, you are likely to get five to say they love it and the other five say they can't stand it. Who likes antelope meat? How would you compare to other game animals?

October 15, 2009, 08:16 AM	#2
Art Eatman Staff in Memoriam Join Date: November 13, 1998 Location: Terlingua, TX; Thomasville, GA Posts: 24,798	I've only killed one antelope. Yummy-tasty. Very rich and surprisingly filling. It took less than I expected to feel quite sated. But I hated to quit!

October 15, 2009, 11:26 AM	#3
taylorce1 Senior Member Join Date: November 18, 2005 Location: On the Santa Fe Trail Posts: 8,242	It isn't my favorite, that is Elk. However I will not turn down properly prepared Pronghorn. A lot of people overcook their game meat and destroy the taste of it. Another problem with pronghorn is how much they have been ran before they were shot, or how long it took people to take care of their meat. Pronghorn season runs when temps could be as high as 90 degrees. If you don't get the hide off and the meat cooled ASAP it is bound to be a little funky.

October 15, 2009, 02:51 PM	#7
oneounceload Junior member Join Date: April 18, 2008 Location: N. Central Florida Posts: 8,518	fondued, cooked with teriyaki, wrapped with bacon - there are many ways that it tastes good. As mentioned above - this is one animal you want to anchor DRT with your shot and dressed and skinned immediately

October 15, 2009, 05:09 PM	#8
BigJimP Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2005 Posts: 13,195	I killed a lot of Antelope in eastern Montana when I was a kid ...... For the most part - we cooked it like a "Swiss Steak" - brown it first, then cook it in a gravy sauce with onions, bacon ..whatever you like - to tenderize it a little. I prefer a non-tomato based gravy / but that's just me. It tends to be tough / but the sauce takes a lot of the gameiness out of it too. Part of the trick to Antelope - is you don't want to kill one that has been run for 10,000 yards accross the prarie / its better to catch them near a break in the prarie when they are coming to water in the morning or evening.

October 15, 2009, 05:31 PM	#9
BigJimP Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2005 Posts: 13,195	Antelope is real lean meat / and you're only going to get 35 lbs of meat or so out an animal anyway ......but I guess what I was trying to say is cook it like you would a "goat" ....... cut it into medalions, pound it pretty thin, use a little flower, a good rich gravy with some onions and mushrooms ( damn, there is a reason I grew up to be 6'5" and 290 lbs ..) but my grandma was the "head cook" in the family ......if you have a roast, treat it like a "pot roast" and put it in the oven in a heavy pot - with carrots, onions, mushrooms ..... / the same technique works for venizon too ( especially if you killed an old buck - that you should have probably passed on ....). The other option is to grind it up / into big sausage patties - but you need to mix it with something fatty ( like black bear, or pork, or get some pork fat trimmings ) ........ we used to do that with venizon too / grandpa and my dad and I ate sausage patties for breakfast a lot ....when I was a kid ( fried in bacon grease..) at grandma's house. damn, I'm hungry now .....

October 15, 2009, 06:54 PM	#11
Rembrandt Senior Member Join Date: August 10, 2002 Posts: 2,108	Like any game animal, if it has been stressed and running the blood and adrenaline get pumped through the muscle tissue and give a strong taste. Antelope feeding on sage and running will taste like sage. Take one that is calm and relaxing at a waterhole, they are great eating.

October 15, 2009, 07:14 PM	#12
cornbush Senior Member Join Date: September 29, 2008 Location: The retarded place below Idaho Posts: 1,408	It is my favorite followed closely by elk. As others have said, the hide has to come off quick and get it cool as fast as you can. The key to cooking it is to add a little fat of some kind and dont over cook. In my experience it does not do good on the grill as it is too lean, even wrapped in bacon it dries out too fast.

October 15, 2009, 07:56 PM	#13
Crankylove Senior Member Join Date: July 8, 2008 Location: 8B ID Posts: 1,753	[QUOTE][I prefer the taste of antelope to just about any other meat I've eaten/QUOTE] What he said ^ Quite tasty, and fun to hunt too. Throw it in a skillet with half a stick of butter, some onions, and cook it up on medium heat...........my mouth is watering just from typing that. I have heard many people say it is too gamey, or just down right nasty, but would have to say they had meat that wasnt properly cared for.

October 15, 2009, 09:04 PM	#15
30-30remchester Senior Member Join Date: April 18, 2009 Location: mountains of colorado Posts: 977	I just shot my 31st antelope 2 weeks ago. I have shot them in every kind of food sourse. I can attest to their excellent taste. One of my favorite wild meats.

October 19, 2009, 08:53 PM	#16
duck911 Senior Member Join Date: December 21, 2005 Posts: 256	My favorite wild game meat, hands down. __________________ --Duck911

October 20, 2009, 02:13 AM	#17
FrankenMauser Senior Member Join Date: August 25, 2008 Location: In the valley above the plain Posts: 13,424	Prarie Maggots are good stuff. You just have to get them skinned, cooled, and butchered much faster than most game. As far as alfalfa vs sage goes... I have no idea. All I can tell you is that I still love antelope, and every one I've ever eaten was of the 'sage' variety. Speed Goats!! __________________ Don't even try it. It's even worse than the internet would lead you to believe.

October 20, 2009, 08:23 AM	#18
DRice.72 Senior Member Join Date: October 19, 2009 Location: Western North Carolina Posts: 451	stares at the bowl of oatmeal in front of me Wrong time to read this post! __________________ They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety - Benjamin Franklin Light is faster than sound. This is why some people appear bright unitl you hear them speak! They should have stopped with "Congress shall make no Law...

October 22, 2009, 08:57 PM	#19
elkman06 Senior Member Join Date: March 14, 2006 Location: Wyoming Posts: 885	Yep, opinions vary. I too have eaten them off of alfalfa as well as sage. The alfalfa variety seems a lot better to me. Still below elk, deer, and moose on my scale. Sage types get turned into jerky or sausage sticks. Alfalfa variety at least ends up partially as steak. elkman06 __________________ "The right of the citizens to bear arms in the defense of themselves and of the state shall not be denied." Wyoming Constitution Article 1, Sec24 "Better to be tried by 12 than carried by 6"

October 26, 2009, 11:36 PM	#20
GB in WY Junior Member Join Date: August 31, 2009 Location: SW Wyoming near that little town in Eygpt Posts: 11	Seems to me that there is no middle ground on goat. It is either good eats or it ain't fit to feed the dogs:barf:.... Has a lot to do with how it was shot. (did you run it for a couple of miles with one or more holes shot through it? If so it ain't going to be very tasty! And how it is taken care of after the fun part is over is key to the taste..I carry atleast ten gallons of water to clean the blood and hair from the critter and to help cool the meat...Most of the hunting in SW Wyoming is done during warm weather and getting the animal cooled down is important. I also believe that little is gained in "aging" antelope as it is a delicate meat. Mine is usually in the freeze within 24 hours. I like antelope meat better than deer and almost as well as Elk.

October 27, 2009, 12:08 AM	#21
Swampghost Senior Member Join Date: April 18, 2008 Location: Florida, east coast Posts: 2,106	Many years ago a friend brought some Elk back and it was so bad that I can't compare it to anything else. It certainly cured me from hunting for them. 'Lopes are another question mark. I'll TRY most anything. I know that they're eaten over a good section of the planet. __________________ NRA Patron Member

October 27, 2009, 03:51 AM	#23
HiBC Senior Member Join Date: November 13, 2006 Posts: 8,283	I should probably shut up and let lopes have a bad rep,but in my experience,the natural forage for them is sage and it works fine.If you do a few things right,there is no "wild taste".It could be store bought. Cooking does not need to be more complex than: Backstrap,chops,browned in garlic butter.Round,slice thin,cure w/Morton tenderquick,smoke a few hours,dry to jerky Everything else,shoulder,trimmings,etc,stew meat size pieces,flour them,brouwn them,eat them,maybe a little lLawreys and pepper.Want a little gravyishness? spill a little beer in to deglaze,Yeah,you can go to stroghanoof or ? But,antelope season is warm and early.Get the hide off fast,and get the quarters in a refrigerator the same day you shoot it. Ive noticed critters often have a baseball or so sized full bladder.Its real good if you can identify and remove a bladder without spilling it into the body cavity.Really,go buy a nice ribeye,whiz on it,marinate it a few hours/days,it will have a wild taste.Think wire zip ties. Unless you have a walk-in cooler and can maintain temps in the 30's,FORGET AGING!!! Hanging meat at 68 degrees will disappoint you. For myself,I bone everything.There is a taste from bandsawing through venison or antelope bone that I do not like. But really,try ice cube size pieces,seasoned and browned in garlic butter in a cast iron pan.Leave some pink,and try it Now,I forgot the handle of the gentleman who thought elk was not palatable. I think perhaps your elk was mishandled.

October 27, 2009, 05:35 PM	#25
Phoneguy Member Join Date: October 27, 2009 Posts: 25	I have killed and eaten at least 8 Antelope. I have only had some ground meat that tasted bad. My experience is that #1. As soon as possible get the hide off and try to keep the hair off the meat. The hair is what tastes bad. We take a box of disposable rubber gloves and it helps to rub hair off the meat. #2 Doe and fawn meat is better than an old buck. Our last trip to Wyoming 7 of us brought home more than 20 Antelope. Nobody complained about the taste. My Wife told me that if I didn't kill anymore deer that was ok as long as I brought home lots of Antelope.