It tastes like deer to me - GOOD.

However - a couple of times over the years we've processed our own deer (we are talking hundreds of deer) - a few have had a bad taste. I tend to think that its more likely from bad bullet (or arrow) placement or improper field care - or hanging in too warm (over 40 degrees) for too long. Its a real shame when this happens, once we discarded a whole doe - though we were never sure of the cause for the "gamey taste" (I call it spoiled - not gamey).

Venison has a unique flavor - I think if you expect it to taste like beef - some might call that gamey. Also, I've noticed that many people who do not like venison very much, insist on cooking it well done - which does tend to give it a stronger (tougher too) flavor in my book. I like it best Medium rare - to Rare.