Was great that you were offered the gift. As wife of a hunter, (years ago) the part that you can't control was how it was prepared before packaging. If a locker plant did it, it should be fine. When I and hubby did it, he cut it up and I wrapped it and made sure there was no fat left on it and also no hair. Elk steak is yummy and we fed our family many a meal on it. It won't be as wild tasting as venison. I just dredged in flour and cooked in a bit of oil. Cook quickly depending on thickness. We cut ours about 3/4 inches thick. Then make gravy after meat is cooked. Yum! Yum. I would never marinate any wild meat but that is just me.