Found that I still have some deer steaks (backstrap, tenderloin, cutlets) in the freezer from a buck my son shot three years ago. Not sure I've ever had venison that long. Always been freezer kept. Still good or is there a shelf life even if frozen?

If it has been well packaged and remained frozen, it should be good.

http://www.fda.gov/downloads/Food/FoodborneIllnessContaminants/ucm109315.pdf

Even the fda says it will stay safe indefinitely. It does lose some taste in time.


If you like, I'll test taste the backstrap for you.

Thaw it...smell it....then cook it or toss it depending on if it smells ok.

if not freezer burned, most likely still good

like kmon1 said. even with a little freezer burn it can still be ok. just trim off the freezer burn and a little of the exterior surface and rinse it well.

Vacuum packed or freezer paper?

If its vacuum packed its probably good to go. If its freezer paper likely freezer burnt beyond recognition.