Venison is the meat that comes from deer and some other similar wild animals. When hunters successfully hunt a deer, they process the animal and the meat becomes venison, which can be cooked and eaten just like beef or pork. The word usually refers to deer meat, whether from white-tailed deer, mule deer, or elk.

For most of human history, venison was a common food source. In medieval Europe, venison was prized by nobility, and strict laws controlled who could hunt deer in royal forests. In America, deer hunting has long been both a practical way to feed families and an important outdoor tradition passed down through generations.

Venison tastes similar to beef but is leaner and has a slightly richer, more distinctive flavor. It's darker red than beef and contains less fat, making it a healthy protein. People prepare venison as steaks, roasts, stew meat, or ground meat for burgers and chili. Many families who hunt look forward to filling their freezer with venison each fall, providing meat for the year.