QA

Quick Answer: How To Process A Deer Yourself

How do you butcher a deer by yourself?

Is it cheaper to process your own deer?

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.

How long does it take to process a deer by yourself?

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.

What equipment do I need to butcher a deer?

A quality set of sharp knives is most important. Choose a set with different blades, but be sure you have at least one long, flexible fillet knife for most of the work. Other helpful tools include a skinning knife, bone saw, and ribcage splitter. Choose knives with rubber nonslip handles.

How do you prepare a deer for processing?

Use clean water, premoistened wipes, or alcohol swabs to clean the knife frequently or between cuts to avoid dragging bacteria into the meat. Place the deer on its back, elevate its front legs, and spread its hind legs. Support the carcass in this position with rocks or sticks.

Do you have to field dress a deer before taking it to a processor?

Sportsmanship includes the responsible care and use of meat obtained while hunting. That’s great, but most hunters field-dress their deer on the ground prior to bringing them home or taking them to the meat processor.

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.

Do you tip a deer butcher?

They are owners of a cash business. No tip required.

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.

Can you take a whole deer to a butcher?

If it’s cold enough, you can leave the deer to hang for a couple of days (some hunters and meat processors recommend longer). If it’s above 40 degrees, you can either take it to a meat processor or quarter your kill and put it in the refrigerator.

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 many pounds of meat do you get from a deer?

The average deer weighed 107.56 pounds field dressed and yielded 52.19 pounds of venison, or a 48.52% meat yield. Below are the average yields for one deer according to Antlered (bucks), Antlerless (does and button bucks), and Combined (bucks, does, and button bucks). Several factors determine venison yield.

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.

Should I skin my deer before I let it hang?

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.

How long can you let a deer hang in 40 degree weather?

It was as solid as a rock and had no way to thaw it out. I know some beef is hanging for 40 days in a properly chilled coolers. If you are below 40 degrees you are fine IMHO for as long as you might want. Had a buddy hang one for several weeks at about 32 degrees and it was just fine.