Processing Trophy Deer

Trophy Deer - Processing Venison

Processing trophy deer is something that you can do yourself. Many successful whitetail deer hunters can, and do all the venison processing themselves. For some, it's part of the deer hunting camp rituals of deer hunting in which these activities are done and enjoyed; just like the deer hunting trip itself. Like hunting equipment and certain hunting products, special equipment is needed for processing venison too. A sharp hunting knife and good processing tools are essential. You may want to take a butchering class if available; check the hunting stores where you buy your hunting gear, hunting supplies and licenses. While there, look for a good book or DVD on processing whitetail deer and venison recipes. You could also go talk to the local meat market butcher where you buy your beef from for tips and techniques on processing your whitetail deer. While there, see if he knows any good venison recipes that he might share with you.

Plan Ahead

If you or your deer hunting camp's hunters cannot do the processing of your trophy deer; then you need to plan ahead as to who will do this, and where you will bring your trophy deer (remember, any deer is a trophy to someone; buck, doe, or fawn) for packaging and freezing. If you have never done this before, and don't want to, then check your local newspapers. Adds will run for this service as the deer hunting season approaches. You can also talk to other deer hunter's, sporting good's retailers, and of course your local meat market butcher. And again, ask for those venison recipes. People love to share their favorite recipes.

Call Your Hunting Guide

If you are doing a guided whitetail deer hunting trip, check with your deer hunting guide about their processing venison service and shipping recommendations. On most guided deer hunts your outfitter will handle these concerns and issues. Make sure you ask about venison processing when your planning or booking your guided deer hunt; you don't want any surprises that may ruin the hunting trip of a lifetime for a trophy deer. Ask if your guide will be cooking any meals with venison in them. If he does, and you enjoy a certain meal, don't forget to ask for those venison recipes again. If you do that, please share it with me, OK? Thanks, and I'll give you credit for that venison recipe on my venison recipe page.

Processed Meat

Keep in mind that the cut and wrapped weight of your processed venison will be less than half of the weight of the whitetail deer you bring in for processing, especially if have your meat de-boned by your butcher. The cost of processing venison can vary. For the basic service of skinning, de-boning, cutting, wrapping and freezing your venison; plan to spend about seventy five to hundred dollars, give or take a little. The cost can and will go up considerably if you have sausage or other custom venison processing done. But it can be so worth it. Please consider donating some of your venison meat to local food shelves if you don't think you can, or will, eat up all of your venison within six to eight months. Many states now have information published in their game laws of locations and web addresses, of where you can donate your venison. Many states manage specific hunting areas with extra doe permits. By harvesting more does, the deer herd benefits. This can be very helpful for your deer hunting area if your doe to buck ratio is out of balance; i.e.. to many does, a ratio of more than 3 to 1. Also, some non-profit organizations collect whitetail deer hides for programs that benefit whitetail deer and their habitat. In Minnesota, this program is called "Hides for Habitat". It is a good program, so please don't throw out your whitetail deer hides; donate them. Thank you, and good luck deer hunting.

Processing Your Own Venison

You may ask, why process my own meat? Here are a few reasons to consider. It is easy, cost-efficient and rewarding to do it yourself. You have total control of your venison. You can age your venison for peak flavor, while keeping it clean. For about the cost of commercial processing of 4 to 5 whitetail deer, you can invest in your own equipment to do it. Equipment like this Cabela's game hoist, a L.E.M. meat grinder, a Food Saver vacuum packer (These are great! If you get one, you will use it; click on my link below to check out these great processing tools), and a knife sharpener like this Chefs Choice is a good place to start. If you are like me, this equipment will pay for itself in a year or two. Get your hunting partners to help with this investment and share the cost. It's also part of the comradely experience to process your venison together.

Gutting your Deer.

Hanging and Skinning your deer.

Using a "L.E.M" Grinder.

Using a "Food Saver" vacuum packer.

FoodSaver - 10% off your order of $80 or more. Use Promo Code: LS612.

Sharp Equipment

Using sharp knives and having equipment like this "Chef's Choice" diamond wheel sharpener is a must when processing you own venison.