Deer tenderloin; what would you do?

[PapaC]

OK, I just got home an hour ago from a successful deer hunt  ;D the tenderloin is always the first cut we eat. Will do it tomorrow. Usually I rub (possibly gunpowder), and grill on the Weber. But I thought I'd see what some of you more "seasoned" cooks can suggest. I promise I'll post pics. Can't wait. Thanks in advance.

[ragweed]

Congratulations on your successful hunt!!  I'm still struggling, but I've got 7 days left in our rifle season.  Fingers crossed.

We  usually grill 'em too but I tried something different a while back.  I cubed the tenderloin, marinated in teriyaki, wrapped in bacon and smoke/cooked them using hickory in the BCS until the bacon was crisp, about an hour.  I really liked them.  The complete recipe is posted in the BCS recipe booklet.  If you don't have a BCS, you might hit 'em with some smoke in your regular Bradley, then crisp up the bacon on the grill.

[Iowabucks]

Congrats on the hunt. I'm looking at the back end of the rut with a couple more days off, hoping to score myself.

I would really be interested in seeing how the venison turns out in the smoker.

Please update with pictures and a taste test. lol

[wkahler]

Your going to kill me when i say this but i normally get them whole from the processor and then i slice them in to jerky!!!  I have kyet to kill this year but i did have a decent 6 point come out, small rake but big body and shot just over his back with the bow.  I am on a meat hunt this year so i am basically in the brown its down attitude!!

[PapaC]

Thanks guys. I don't think I could bring my self to teriyaki  tenderloin, as I said its my favorite cut and I want to taste it! The bacon though, that sounds good.

Iowa, good luck on your hunt. I find that unless it's jerky, or sticks etc i don't have that great luck with game meat in the smoker. Reason being you just can't over cook it or it gets tough. The deer roast I tried last year tasted good but wasn't as tender as I thought it should be. Could be me, like I said I'm not an expert by any means.

wkahler, I know what you mean, I was on the last day of my hunt when I got mine and I had passed up bigger bucks than the one I ended up with. I figure the young buck I shot will taste great though, even though it's weight wasn't as much as a more mature animal. Good luck to you as well.

[mez]

I just rub with gunpowder and wrap with bacon .smoke with hickory.Fine eating enjoy.