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Is it worth processing your own deer?
The reasons to process your own venison are many. I certainly could have used one of the many processors around Auburn, but there are a couple of major reasons I decided to do it myself. The first is simple – saving money! Venison processing also allows you much more flexibility when the time to cook arrives.
Can you process a deer at home?
Many hunters each season harvest a deer and pay a processing facility to butcher the animal. You can butcher a deer at home and know that you wasted nothing, plus you’ll save money. Once you know the best way to butcher a deer, you can do it quickly, often finishing the major steps in less than half an hour.
How long does it take to process a deer at home?
About 20 minutes to skin. 20 minutes to quarter, two hours to go through the meat (I trim all fat ). That is two of us so four man hours but that includes wrapping the roasts and grinding. Call it five hours without cleanup.
How long should you hang a deer before butchering it?
You should let your deer hang for 2 to 4 days at minimum before processing to avoid this. For the best tasting deer meat Mississippi State University recommends 14 to 18 days of hanging time. A general rule of thumb is, the older the deer, the longer the hang time.
Is deer meat healthy for you?
Venison’s health benefits are many. For starters, it’s one of the leanest, heart-healthiest meats available — low in fat, high in protein and packed with zinc, haem iron, and vitamin B. It’s also economical. “If you get two deer a year, you have enough food for the entire year,” Czerwony says.
How much does it cost to process a deer near me?
The cost to process a deer is between $75 and $200 depending on the process you are looking for, where you are located, and what types of cuts of meat you are looking for. Like anything else, processing a deer takes time.
How much does it cost to have a deer process?
Processing: Basic deer processing typically costs $75 to $120, but it varies with each processor. If you order jerky and sausage, the cost will increase, generally at per-pound rates. Don’t be afraid to ask your processor for an estimate before making your final decision.
Is processing a deer hard?
Butchering and deer processing seems like a daunting task. But it isn’t as difficult as you think. You already field dress your harvest, butchering it just the next natural step. You can save a lot of money from hiring a professional butcher when you butcher a deer at home.
How long after killing a deer is the meat good?
If you wait too long to recover the deer, the blood will spoil and ruin the meat. The old bowhunters’ rule is to wait eight to 12 hours before following a gut-shot deer. If you wait that long when it’s 50 degrees or above, your intentions may be good, but there’s a good chance you will lose that meat.
Can you butcher a deer right away?
you can let them hang if the temp. is just above freezing 35-40 if you have a cool dry place . young deer 2-3 days old bucks 4-5 days BUT THE TEMP HAS TO BE RIGHT! or YOU CAN TAKE IT TO SOMEONE WHO HAS A COOLER. some will skin it out and hang them for you or do the butchering job also.
What to do after you shoot a deer?
Stop and Wait — Before climbing down from your treestand or leaving your blind, wait for a while, at least 30 minutes after shooting your deer. If your bullet didn’t cause immediate death, waiting for a half-hour can help prevent your wounded animal from being scared and further pushed into the woods.
Will a deer spoil at 50 degrees?
If the air temperature is 50 degrees, we have three to six hours to recover a deer after it dies. If the temperature is higher, or the animal has elevated its temperature by running hard, then the safe time available for recovery is shorter.
Should I skin a deer before hanging?
Make sure to skin the hock before you hang the deer if you are going to do so yourself. If it is cooler than your refrigerator, your deer may hang for a bit longer. Hanging the deer in a walk-in cooler is ideal, but you may quarter the deer and put it into a chest freezer.
Can you age deer meat in a refrigerator?
A spare refrigerator is excellent for aging venison. Remove its racks and hang the meat so it doesn’t touch a contaminated surface. That precaution reduces the chances of bacteria growth. Refrigerators provide a controlled environment, so you can age your meat much longer than what’s possible in open air.
