A Word Of Warning Regarding Deer Processors!

[davers]

A word of warning, if you choose to let a processor cut and wrap your harvested Deer. This happen to me last year when I harvested a very nice nine point Buck on the first day of rifle season. Since, I really didn’t have time to skin and cut my Deer myself, I decided to take it to a processor whom did a fine job a couple of years ago. Well, the business changed hands and but I still took my Buck to this store since it was the only one I dealt with in the past. When I got my processed and wrapped Deer back, I noticed several packages of Deer Burger and stew meat, however I told them that I don’t want Burger, when I dropped the Deer off. When I returned home and placed the Deer in my freezer, I noticed that I had a lot of packages labeled “Deer Steak” but were actually scrappy venison pieces that normally would thrown out. I specified the loin be cut “in-bone” and the two Hams cut into roast, with the rest cut into round steaks. Around a month ago I arranged my freezer and arranged the venison that I had left, but was surprised to find there were three neck roasts, and only three in-bone chops when I should have had more, with the size of Buck I harvested (263 pounds). Normally, in packages of 4 loin steaks I should have had 8 packs of 4 chops, but only had 4 packs of 4 chops. Also I didn’t know a Deer had three necks!! Also missing were other choice portions like the tenderloins. I think the processor substituted some of the choice portion cuts, with some very scrappy stew meat as there was several packages of this labeled as Deer Steak, also the “three neck roasts” along with the Burger was obviously substituted, and my choice cuts given to a hunting friend of the processor. So be careful!! Forgot to mention that the two forearms were wrapped up whole without cutting chuck steaks from the two.

 

[WaterDog88]

I quit taking mine to processors. Last time I took one a few years ago I got back some poor cuts and the meat itself just didn’t taste great. I tossed some that didn’t look right. Plus the packaging was garbage. When I was picking it up noticed they were using a blow torch to burn hair off cuts. I’m not a butcher but that seemed off. Now I just take my time and cut them up in the garage the way I want and vacuumed seal the cuts. If you have the time it’s worth doing it yourself

 

[bgkyarcher]

I have a processor I trust. Couple of years ago, I dropped off a mature buck, in the 180 lb range. I got back about 40 lbs of processed meat. The backstraps were small. I called and talked to him about it. He was very apologetic, and didn't know how it happened, but I obviously got someone's doe, and they must have gotten my buck. He did my next deer at no charge. I've taken three more deer to him since, and will continue to use him.

 

[00noturkey]

A word of warning, if you choose to let a processor cut and wrap your harvested Deer. This happen to me last year when I harvested a very nice nine point Buck on the first day of rifle season. Since, I really didn’t have time to skin and cut my Deer myself, I decided to take it to a processor whom did a fine job a couple of years ago. Well, the business changed hands and but I still took my Buck to this store since it was the only one I dealt with in the past. When I got my processed and wrapped Deer back, I noticed several packages of Deer Burger and stew meat, however I told them that I don’t want Burger, when I dropped the Deer off. When I returned home and placed the Deer in my freezer, I noticed that I had a lot of packages labeled “Deer Steak” but were actually scrappy venison pieces that normally would thrown out. I specified the loin be cut “in-bone” and the two Hams cut into roast, with the rest cut into round steaks. Around a month ago I arranged my freezer and arranged the venison that I had left, but was surprised to find there were three neck roasts, and only three in-bone chops when I should have had more, with the size of Buck I harvested (263 pounds). Normally, in packages of 4 loin steaks I should have had 8 packs of 4 chops, but only had 4 packs of 4 chops. Also I didn’t know a Deer had three necks!! Also missing were other choice portions like the tenderloins. I think the processor substituted some of the choice portion cuts, with some very scrappy stew meat as there was several packages of this labeled as Deer Steak, also the “three neck roasts” along with the Burger was obviously substituted, and my choice cuts given to a hunting friend of the processor. So be careful!! Forgot to mention that the two forearms were wrapped up whole without cutting chuck steaks from the two.

did ya take pictures, and take em to small claims court. maybe their is something else ya can get them on.

 

[WildmanWilson]

I only had summer sausage made at a processor. I got it back with lead shot and said I’ll never go back. I do it all myself now.

 

[davers]

I quit taking mine to processors. Last time I took one a few years ago I got back some poor cuts and the meat itself just didn’t taste great. I tossed some that didn’t look right. Plus the packaging was garbage. When I was picking it up noticed they were using a blow torch to burn hair off cuts. I’m not a butcher but that seemed off. Now I just take my time and cut them up in the garage the way I want and vacuumed seal the cuts. If you have the time it’s worth doing it yourself

Sound like the processor I used. The venison, from my Buck, also tasted sort of "Gamey". Needless to say, I'll never use this processor again. Anyway, last year was my final year to hunt Deer. At my age it is becoming a chore to deal with; had a great enjoyable time hunting Deer in the past 49 years (1972 - 2021).

 

[Tankt]

I only had summer sausage made at a processor. I got it back with lead shot and said I’ll never go back. I do it all myself now.

I bit into 2 copper jackets in my salami about 10 years ago. Cut my gums once. Been getting it made for 30 years and never had a problem then twice in one year. Probably the same batch

 

[Chimpy]

No judgment here, but 263 pounds? Field dressed?

 

[Drahts]

Davers, on a buck of that size you could get 3 neck roasts. I do my own and on a buck that size get 3 good roasts. Not defending just saying.

 

[Tankt]

Davers, on a buck of that size you could get 3 neck roasts. I do my own and on a buck that size get 3 good roasts. Not defending just saying.

Mine last year was 220+ and I got 3 neck roasts

 

[davers]

Davers, on a buck of that size you could get 3 neck roasts. I do my own and on a buck that size get 3 good roasts. Not defending just saying.

I did receive my Buck's neck roast, which was cut in two. However, I had a whole smaller neck roast included.

 

[Scoony]

On the flip side, I took some trimmed venison to a KY processor to get ground and packaged and the guy ahead of me had a deer rump (both side still attached) and two whole back-straps and it was all gray and nasty looking. The folks were not too pleased at accepting it and I think they added a charge due to the meat being dirty.

They did a great job on my venison which happened to be mule deer from a western hunt. Otherwise I process my own.