Deer Processing?

[Borch]

I generally do my own processing. But based on past experience and talking to others you should be able to get it done for $50-70.

Call around.

Borch

[Riptide]

With the bow season coming up quickly i was wondering where you all bring your deer in if you don't do it yourself? I have tried 3 different meat shops on the way home from the cabin and i have been paying around $110.00 just for the steaks and ground. Anyone have any suggestions for a cheaper meat shop? Thanks Riptide.

[korn_fish]

With the CWD issue, my butcher started applying an $80 carcass fee before any of the processing is done. I could get steaks, and ground burger for $50 for a 190 lb dressed buck prior. Last year it cost $130. From what I hear, most processors are applying some sort of carcass disposal fee.

My processor is, I mean was Schmidts locker in Nicollet. Now I butcher the deer myself, wrap the steaks, but the trim that I want made into burger or sausage etc. gets placed in a large bag and frozen, then taken to get processed at a later date.

[cashcrews]

An $80 Carcass Fee??? I suppose these guys can charge whatever they want for whatever the service they provide, but WTF, this seems like BS to me. Anyone that does that would lose my business in a hurry.

I've been going to the same shop for about 6 years now. It was always about $60 for the first few years, then it went to $70, then $80, last year it was $90. Don't know what to expect this year...$100 would fit the pattern.

Cashcrews

[Gissert]

The CWD scare has driven up costs for a lot of processors. Many of them do not want to run venision through there power saws, thust it has become a hand operation for a lot of them.

[walleyeking#8]

Whats the deal with all this hype on cwd? Of all the deer that have been tested since this whole thing started, how many of them have had cwd? One other thing, have they determined if this disease can effect humans? Well now that I've said that, I will not have my deer processed by any butcher or processing plant. I have processed deer myself for about 14 yrs. now and that is for a couple of reasons. First and foremost when you bring your deer into a butcher shop the same time everyone else does, how do you know your getting your deer? Once in the last 14 yrs., our hunting party took trimings from 5 deer we harvested that year and brought them to a meat shop to have sausage and so-on made it cost us $600. This is the reason I do my own. I would suggest that you try it yourself, skin it, cut it into whatever cuts you prefer and if you would like take the trimings in to make sausage or whatever. One tip, wait till after the 1st of the year to bring in your trimings, you more and likely will get your own trimings back.

[GAR]

The cwd has made the cost of deer processing go way up, but the cost to the processer, for getting rid of the carcass, has trippled, the rendering companys won't or can't take it any more, so they have to pay big dollars just to get rid of the carcass, maybe they should just send the carcass home with you and you can get rid of it!! Walleyeking; I work for a deer processer for 15 years everyone got there own deer back there, But the trim going for sausage, was all put togother, But if someone brought theres trim in for sausage we looked it over very carefully before it went into sausage, and yes it cost dearly, cheaper to go and buy beef sausage. Now with that all said it's so easy to cut up your own deer, and with a few hunting buds It can be a fun time, So do it your self guys and save a few $$$ GAR

[HUNTINGBAILEY]

You can cut up and process your deer yourself, as for seasonings you can go to any meat market and pick up the seasonings and natural casing. it will cost you alot less.

[can it be luck?]

I'm in agreement to all that process thier own meat. Why shouldn't we?, we do everything else to include gutting and even hanging the you know whats in a tree to hit some unlucky hunter in the head. Butchering is just one more step in the complete hunt. Some may be intimidated by butchering, believe me in saying that if you do it once, you'll do it again, it's easy. We all clean our own fish, birds, small game, etc., this is no different. Peace of mind in knowing that your deer has been well taken care of is worth the "troubles" in itself. As far as CWD, you have a better chance catching E boli or whatever that crap is that kills people in our lovely fast food joints, I'll take my chances with fresh venison loins thank you. If you shoot and eat pen raised deer, you should get CWD, IMO. I HATE DEER FARMS It's totally unatural to raise "wild" animals as domestic, something has to give, and does......the health of the deer!!!

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[Guest]

I useto do my own. (The garage is full of my TOYS now). If you are up thisaway, may I recc. Chalstroms Bait. Super job, your own, and a good price. Cut and vac sealed. Their EXTRAS are not expensive either...can't figure how they do it for such a low cost. I recc the deer sticks uummmmmmm! They go nice with drinks in the ice shanty. YES SIREEE!
(this has not been a promotional endorcement)