Deer Processing

[Faceman]

Just out of curiosity how many members process their own deer?
My family and I have been doing our own for years. Found it to expensive to have it done when you got to do 6 or 7 a year. Also found a new way to do it last year and it is so easy. This year my dad experimented with making venison smoked ham (it was AWSOME) although we lose some steaks doing it.

[Brandon_Collins]

Ever since i have started hunting we have been processing our own deer and i dont plan anytime soon to switch because we do just as good of job as they do

Brandon

[WoodChuck]

 :) ;D  WAY TO GO !! FACEMAN & BRANDON, done the processing up till several years ago when we bought a processer from northern tool for $300.00 and have done it ourselves every since. the hole thing is to get the hide off as soon as possible to let it cool down and air dry to a lite dry crust for flavor. REMEMBER KEEP IT COOL!!!

[mrbuck]

years ago a butcher we used and trusted got caught selling deer meat to friends of his, he was ripping of all his customers.since then we started doing our own its the only way to go. good venison starts right after the kill. proper cleaning and care is the key to great meat.i always eat the tenderloins right away-same day. nothing better we learn more with each and every deer we do. but the key 2 me always starts in the field, take your time and keep it clean!!

[JohnWester]

i do my own... we should swap jerky and sausage recipes!

[WoodChuck]

 :) 8) check out the reciepes for sausage and venision in the fourms

[Faceman]

I found a video online a couple of years ago on how to do them basically boneless with just a knife.  When you are done the skeleton is still hanging. We tried it and now it is the only way to do it. I would post the link but we found out the link is now dead. My dad lost his video when his computer crashed so I burned on a dvd for him. Dont want to lose the video again. If I knew how and if this site could handle it I would post the vid. I edited it down to about 10 minutes.

[Outdoors Junkie]

Faceman,

How much would you charge to burn me a dvd?  Also, Mayfly might be able to help with getting a video posted to the site.

OJ

[Faceman]

On dvd it is kind of fuzzy. I would burn one no problem but if I could post the vid then it would be here for everyone interested. It is 10 minutes and I think it is 29.1 MB. If I cant post it I would be willing to burn you a copy. Just cover the disk and shipping.

[Outdoors Junkie]

I sent Mayfly a PM to look at this thread.  He can let us know if we can post the video on the site.

[Faceman]

Very cool, thanks.

[Mayfly]

Faceman,

I would love to see that video on here. Do you know how to do it? If so go ahead.

If you have questions let me know.

Thanks, Tim

Can you e-mail me the video? My email is on my profile by clicking on my username "mayfly"

Thanks

[Faceman]

Mayfly, I sent the video to your email. Hope it works.

[Gus]

Anyone know of a good source for learning how to butcher deer?

Or, any idea who would be most reasonable in the Twin Cities area?

Thanks!

[DaveO]

Gus, It is not that hard to do your own deer,,,,you may goof a couple of things up,,,but no matter how much you butcher up your deer,,,,,,,you can still eat it,,,

So don't be afraid!!

Go to your favorite sporting store,,,Sportsmans,Gander,cabalas
and pick up the Bill Hesselgraves CD,,,,it will teach you all you need to know and answer all of your questons..

Good Luck

[JD]

Sportsmans Warehouse and Gander sell DVD's on how to process your own deer too.

[Gus]

Thanks for the encouragement Dave and the pointers to some sources Leech Angler.

I can trim out a deer and drop the back straps and cut those into chops, but when it comes to trying to cut steaks and roasts out of the quarters I get lost.

Plus, I don't have the best facilities for the job (wife doesn't like me using the kitchen counter) and not always a lot of time, so its good to know a reasonably priced butcher too.

[DaveO]

Gus,
get the CD I talked about,,,,and all you need is a knife,a counter.

if your wife wont LET you in the kitchen,,go out in the garage and put a piece of wood or something on two saw horses and go to town.

that is how me and all the neighbors do it here,,,and the wife will let me do it in the kitchen....and she helps out to.

It don't take long and you don't have to be a rocket scientist..and all you relay NEED Is a knife.

No offense to anyone here,,,but it will be a cold day in hell I give my deer to a butcher.

[DaveO]

One more thing Gus,,,Welcome aboard glad to see you join us