When preparing elk steaks, use a meat thermometer, and never let the meat's internal temperature rise above 140 degrees Fahrenheit. Clem and Bohlen prefer to cook elk to 120 or 125 degrees.

Does cooking with room-temperature meat make a difference? Bringing meat to room temperature doesn’t make a difference in the final product, at least not a noticeable one.

Cooking wild game, particularly red deer and elk, requires a nuanced approach that respects the unique qualities of the meat.