I bought this 3.25 ounce/92 gram bag of barbecue flavored elk jerky online in 2012. It was bought online from Cowboy Dan’s, who is a jerky emporium that sells a large variety of different jerky.
The brand name is CA Bull Elk Ranch, based out of Richfield, Idaho, although this bag has their old address of Hazelton, Idaho. On the bag it states manufactured for CA Bull Elk Ranch, which is a good sign it was made by a private label company. The owners Gail and Calvin followed their dream, and in 2002 bought a ranch for the purpose of raising elk. Later on, they added pheasant, bobwhite quail, courtnix quail and chukar for guests to hunt in an industry known as agritourism. In 2004, their granddaughter Miah moved to the ranch, helping out with daily chores. In December 2012, they sold their 160 acre ranch, and moved to an 800 acre ranch in Richfield, Idaho. Elk is part of the deer family, and one of the largest mammals in North America.
Ingredient Review
Ingredients: Elk, Water, BBQ Jerky Seasoning (Sugar, Salt, Dextrose, Spices, Tomato Powder, Dehydrated Onions, Garlic, Powdered Smoke, Spice Extractives & less than 2% Corn Oil & Tricalcium Phosphate as an anticake), Sweet Baby Ray’s Honey Barbecue Sauce (High Fructose Corn Syrup, Distilled Vinegar, Tomato Paste, Honey, Modified Food Starch, contains less than 2% of Salt, Natural Flavor, Caramel Color, Pineapple Juice Concentrate, Spices, Sodium Benzoate as a preservative, Natural Smoke Flavor, Molasses, Garlic, Corn Syrup, Sugar, Tamarind)
Elk meat is about the leanest you can find, with very little fat. Add to that, this elk was ethically raised, meaning no growth hormones or additional antibiotics are given. This elk also had free range, with grass in their diet.
The liquid marinade is comprised of water, and a not so healthy Sweet Baby Ray’s honey barbecue sauce. The primary concern is that very unhealthy high fructose corn syrup is the first ingredient listed by weight in the barbecue sauce.
There are several healthy spices used. There is also healthy garlic, but not much by weight.
There is no nutrition facts table provided. As a result, the exact sugar and salt levels are unknown.
This jerky does qualify to have no sodium nitrite, or any other similar unhealthy preservatives. Instead, salt is the main preservative. Also, this jerky qualifies to have no MSG added.
Decent (7/10) – Ingredient Rating
Taste Review
This elk only has a minor gamey taste. The slices are thick and very large in size. There is a strong, pleasant barbecue taste. If you enjoy the taste of barbecue sauce, you should enjoy how this jerky tastes.
This 3.25 ounce/92 gram bag cost $13.95, which works out to $4.29 per ounce. That is a very expensive price, but that should be expected when you consider how high quality this meat is.
Very Good (9/10) – Taste Rating
Bag Review
This is quite a large plastic bag. There is a moderately small label affixed, and another bar code label. The logo is interesting, with an elk in the middle of a bullseye.
There are no slogans printed on this bag. The only fact stated is “Smoke Flavoring Added”.
There are some bag categories missing. Categories such as a missing nutrition facts table, a best before date, jerky weight not stated in grams, a blurb about this jerky, and a bar code.
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