Elk processing advise

Just returned home with my first bull elk. Front quarters, hind quarters and backstraps are on ice and have been for almost two days. Question is what do you recommend I have done at the processor? And what or how much of it needs to get tenderized? I know I want steaks, roasts and hamburger meat. I was told that the meat is too tough to eat without tenderizing. Is that true? I want some steaks for grilling and chicken frying. Obviously the grilling steaks would be thicker cuts and not tenderized. Will those be too tough to eat? Please provide this elk rookie some direction. Thank you.

I would take out the tenderloins, and back straps. You can do that in less than 15 minutes. Take the rest to the processor and let him help you decide on the on your quarters depending on your taste.

Congratulations on harvesting Your Elk.
Who ever told you that Elk are too tough to eat must have gummed their food. LOL
Elk are the absolute best venison that you will ever eat, However you like to process your deer will work just as well for Elk.

Thanks. I have had elk and never thought of it as tough. The guys I hunted with concerned me. I don't want to get a ton of steaks if they're gonna be too tough to eat. But I also don't want everything tenderized.

I’ve never had tough elk so I wouldn’t be worried there to much. My old boss would bring me some cooked and it was as tender as a hamburger patty even after chicken fried. Could cut easily with a plastic fork.

Hearty congrats on your first bull. Your wife will send you out for another after she tastes it.

I take all the "elk/deer is tender" with a grain of salt. I have been processing my own venison since I was a child helping my dad with deer he shot from loading in the truck through putting it on the table. Yes you can have edible and even good steaks from deer that are properly cared for and prepared, but in most instances a beef steak from a similar cut will be hands down better than the venison... now how much cheap steaks, think choice sirloin etc have you had that was a bit tuff? Now think its a deer and 10 times as lean, yeah they aren't all as tender as people make them out to be. I bet for every wife like creekrunner's who gets a taste and wants more there are a dozen who want a beef steak.

Thanks gentlemen.

I processed a cow elk at home few years back. Took nothing at all to the processor. She had regularly been feeding on alfalfa and was some of the finest meat I have ever had. Huge undertaking that took me a couple weekends and many weeknights but it was extremely satisfying to see my freezer full of elk that I took from field to table.