Palatability of Meat from Mule Deer

To determine the palatability of meat from mule deer, a 10-member trained sensory panel evaluated meat from seven mule deer harvested in Texas. Beef rib roast and venison rib roast, loin steaks and semimembranosus steaks, and ground meat patties (beef, venison, venison/beef, and venison/pork) were evaluated. Venison contained much less fat than beef. Beef was more palatable than venison except for tenderness. The main difference in palatability was that venison was less juicy than beef. Mixing ground venison with beef or pork increased the palatability of venison to that of ground beef.