Back into it now mate. It depends on how early in the rut you take your animal. I normally say if the meat has a pink tinge like a ram that in rutting mode then the meat will be pretty average still eatable but not the flashiest. Age is also a factor. A young stag/buck early in the roar/rut are fat as mud and a very good eating. But a big old stag at the end of the roar might be a bit tough and gamey 👍