OmManiPadmeOmelet wrote:
> Pastorio,
>
> Do you know of any good references that talk about stressing an animal
> too much ruining it's meat? We are having a discussion on another list
> about why it's a bad idea to hunt deer using dogs... I tried googling it
> but could not find anything definitive.

"Unfortunately, venison has an unfortunate reputation for being tough
and over strong. This reputation is primarily based on poor hunting
skills: if the animal is not killed on the first shot, the more stress
it is under, and the more adrenalin it releases into its tissue.
Adrenalin causes the meat to become leathery and otherwise inedible (at
some point, the meat should only be used for sausage). Also, meat from
older (i.e. "prize" animals) tends to be much tougher."
<http://tinyurl.com/czh3n>

A lengthy exchange about game and what happens. It disputes the above,
sorta. Better science.
<http://yarchive.net/food/game_flavor.html>

Pastorio