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Deer Processors

Posted By: Hogwild

Deer Processors - 03/09/18 04:29 PM

I am NOT a fan of deer processors.
Most of them are simply looking to make a quick, VITUALLY UNREGULATED, dollar.

Let's visit a slippery slope with CWD.
Other than the nearly astronomical chance that a GW catches someone transporting a deer, or deer meat with bones......what protection is there to guarantee that the illegally transported meat does not wind up at your local processor? Heck, not only AT your local processor.....but, thrown in a vat with YOUR deer meat and cut/ground with YOUR meat and even packaged and sent home for YOU to eat!!!!
Also, how is the disposal of their Waste Regulated? And, by who?? Isn’t that one known way that the prions are spread?? If so, just how serious are Govt Agencies about regulating the Waste and Controlling the Spread of this deadly disease?

I think the USDA, DCNR, AL Dept of Ag or somebody, needs to get serious about regulating them!
Posted By: Standbanger

Re: Deer Processors - 03/09/18 05:57 PM

I agree 100%

The processor in Thomasville gives the impression you are getting your deer's meat, In addition the nasty assed folks working at these places.

I am to the point I am doing my own
Posted By: jwalker77

Re: Deer Processors - 03/09/18 07:07 PM

If processing a deer is a quick $55.00. I would hate to have to make it the slow way.
Posted By: Hogwild

Re: Deer Processors - 03/09/18 07:25 PM

Originally Posted by jwalker77
If processing a deer is a quick $55.00. I would hate to have to make it the slow way.


I don't know where you are getting deer gutted, cleaned, processed and packed for $55.........

But, even if you can, when you start multiplying that by a couple of hundred and figure 15 mins to clean and another hour to process AND it is all tax free......yeah, it is pretty quick and easy.

Or, I suppose that they just popup all over the place every Fall because people are just overly generous! LOL
Posted By: jwalker77

Re: Deer Processors - 03/09/18 08:58 PM

I gut the deer. I take mine to a legitimate business, so i would assume they pay taxes. My point is: if you are so good at it and it is such easy money, why dont you open a business? $55.00/hour is pretty low for a business to operate. If it takes them an hour to completely process a deer, i dont see how they stay in business.
Posted By: ford150man

Re: Deer Processors - 03/09/18 09:21 PM

You can get a deer gutted, skinned, and processed (ground into burger, back straps left whole) for around $55.00 at South’s Finest in Pelham. They do quality work too. I’ve always been pleased. I do agree with what you’re saying though.
Posted By: Hogwild

Re: Deer Processors - 03/09/18 09:49 PM

Originally Posted by jwalker77
I gut the deer. I take mine to a legitimate business, so i would assume they pay taxes. My point is: if you are so good at it and it is such easy money, why dont you open a business? $55.00/hour is pretty low for a business to operate. If it takes them an hour to completely process a deer, i dont see how they stay in business.


Well, to begin with....I make well over 1/2 that at my base pay now. And, I get OT and Bonuses....not to mention GREAT benefits.
BUT, we do our own deer.

On the time, if you were only doing 1 deer, and fully claiming all of the edible meat, it would take an hour of handling, cutting, cubing, grinding, packaging and stacking for freezer to do one right. But, I agree that by doing batches, it is a LOT faster. Which is one of the reasons why you do not get your own meat back and it is a mix of all the others....just like my post said.

I am not arguing. No need to. I am very familiar with the business.
Posted By: jwalker77

Re: Deer Processors - 03/09/18 11:34 PM

The processor i used this year(brothers in hanceville) guarentees you get your deer back 100%. I was completely satisfied with their regular cuts, not so much the specialty meats. Weavers in falkville does an awsome job on specialty meats, they charge $68.00(plus specialty meat charges), but you will not get 100% your deer. Next year ill use brothers for regular cuts and weavers for specialty meats. Im not trying to argue with you either. I have had some pretty bad experiences with procezsors too, i quit hunting for 4yrs because i got tired of throwing crappy meat away. There are a few that do a good job and wont ruin your deer.
Posted By: dBmV

Re: Deer Processors - 03/10/18 12:43 AM

It's getting harder and harder to find a good processer around here. Last year I took a doe to a guy I've been using for years and never got it back. Called several times but voicemail was always full. Found out later it happened to a bunch of folks. Used a different guy that's been around for years the first deer I killed this year. Got the whole thing done in smoked sausage and it was horrible. The guy didn't smoke it, he just added a bunch of liquid smoke to it and ran with it. Sold that whole thing to my neighbor. Took my last one to another guy and had it done in smoked sausage also. Went to pick it up and he tried to short change me on it. Way less than the deer I took in. He ended up giving me some more packs out of the freezer but no telling whose box he shorted to give me that. I'm about out of options on where to take them now.
Posted By: Gary08

Re: Deer Processors - 03/10/18 12:46 AM

I worked for 3 different ones in high school and college. Out of the three around Jackson Richard Douglas in Leroy stayed on my ass about being sure to keep meat separate. The other one in Leroy does his in big batches and so does the one in downtown Jackson. Jimmy Paul does his the right way also. The carcasses went in an allied waste dumpster and was picked up by them. Just got to use the right one.
Posted By: outdoors1

Re: Deer Processors - 03/10/18 01:21 AM

You really need to take the time to clean your own deer. If time is an issue then clean it, quarter it, and freeze it in scent free thick trash bags. If you have time debone it as you clean it. There is even a speedy way to just keep the quarters and the back strap if you are pressed for time. Then carry to a processor in a few weeks or do it yourself. A large freezer is must if you do not debone it. In the next few weeks thaw each piece in the fridge as you have time to process, maybe a quarter or two each time. If you have someone eager to help it is much better. Maybe thaw all the quarters when you have a couple days off in a row or when your help has off too. Just keep all the meat in the freezer or fridge as you prep to keep it cold. Have a couple of covered bowls and move them in and out of fridge and/or freezer to keep the meat cold. A meat thermometer is handy to keep it below 42 as much as possible. The more you do the better you get at it. If you can get together with other hunters that would be the best way to learn and you could help each other out. I fixed some meat to make patty sausage one year and it was better than most store bought meat. It just takes time and work, but the end result is worth it if you can process your own.
Posted By: Gary08

Re: Deer Processors - 03/10/18 01:25 AM

I feel like working at those processors taught me a lot about meat. I have my stuff set up to do my own now and I don’t do it to save money it’s actually very enjoyable to me.
Posted By: Jakethesnake

Re: Deer Processors - 03/10/18 03:06 AM

If i dont have time to process my own deer then i dont shoot. Thats me
Posted By: Hogwild

Re: Deer Processors - 03/10/18 07:17 PM

I am curious......

Would some of you guys REALLY quit hunting if there were no processors??

That is one of the most surprising things I have ever considered!
Posted By: riflenut

Re: Deer Processors - 03/10/18 09:44 PM

Originally Posted by Hogwild
I am curious......

Would some of you guys REALLY quit hunting if there were no processors??

That is one of the most surprising things I have ever considered!


I'm amazed at the quantity of folks that rely on processors to handle every aspect of game prep.
Posted By: earspltnloudnbmr

Re: Deer Processors - 03/11/18 04:15 AM

If only there was a way to check to see if the deer was killed in Alabama via a mandatory harvest reporting system.............
Posted By: Bamaturkeykilla

Re: Deer Processors - 03/11/18 04:29 AM

Originally Posted by Hogwild
I am curious......

Would some of you guys REALLY quit hunting if there were no processors??

That is one of the most surprising things I have ever considered!


I thought hunting was about horns, not meat, so the state tells us anyway. I don't hunt for meat. I hunt for bone....but I do keep some meat such as the back straps and maybe a quarter every now and then. What I don't keep I give to friends or co-workers. I don't use a processor and never will. I grind my own meat when and if I want burger. I'm guessing you're talking about brown it's down guys though or people who rely on ground beef or either the ones who have no clue how to skin and quarter a deer.
Posted By: Hogwild

Re: Deer Processors - 03/11/18 11:46 AM

Referring to the people that have no concept of how to clean and prepare a deer to be stored or eaten.....and, have no desire to learn.

I went through the phase of "it is just SO convenient' with processors.
Then the prices went up and up and up.....and the quality kept going down.
Combine that with seeing all of the gutshot deer and tainted meat in coolers that are brought in and some experience in the business.....and no more for me, Thank You!

Now it is just another part of the deer hunting experience again.
And, honestly, I enjoy it!

Seriously, on the Processors.....I honestly cannot imagine why more people are not adamant that they are held to a higher standard.
You are using this meat to feed your families!!!
Posted By: jwalker77

Re: Deer Processors - 03/11/18 01:33 PM

I dont process my own because i dont want to, i dont enjoy it, i dont have all the tools necessary, not as experienced, mostly just dont want to though. I have done it before, it took me all day, i didnt enjoy it and i really wasnt confident in what i was doing. I guess its kind of like why people call me to cut their trees. They dont let their trees fall on their house and destroy it just because they dont want to do it their self, they call somebody who does it for a living. Why dont everybody who eats cow or chicken process their own? Why is that not a big deal to you? I have done that too but i prefer not to. I really dont even like to clean my own fish, but i do if i catch a mess to eat. How many of you pay somebody to cut your grass? Shame on you.......
Posted By: Hogwild

Re: Deer Processors - 03/11/18 02:18 PM

I guess so.....

But, I also know that you possess all the necessary skills, hygiene and equipment to start a business processing deer meat.....because they are nearly non-existent!

Oh, if you guys knew what really went on behind the scenes......

By the way, if you ever catch me paying someone to cut a tree down for me.....you can make me eat some of that meat that was soaked in water for a week with grass, leaves, corn, acorns, and all other kind of fecal matter that is mixed in with everybody’s meat! LOL
Posted By: jwalker77

Re: Deer Processors - 03/11/18 05:28 PM

[Linked Image]
If this one was leaning out over your bedroom, you might have to eat some crappy deermeat, huh?
Posted By: jawbone

Re: Deer Processors - 03/11/18 06:01 PM

I wouldn't quit hunting, but there would be fewer deer killed when I knew I wouldn't have much time to fool with it.
Posted By: bwhunter

Re: Deer Processors - 03/12/18 10:57 AM

Originally Posted by dBmV
It's getting harder and harder to find a good processer around here. Last year I took a doe to a guy I've been using for years and never got it back. Called several times but voicemail was always full. Found out later it happened to a bunch of folks. Used a different guy that's been around for years the first deer I killed this year. Got the whole thing done in smoked sausage and it was horrible. The guy didn't smoke it, he just added a bunch of liquid smoke to it and ran with it. Sold that whole thing to my neighbor. Took my last one to another guy and had it done in smoked sausage also. Went to pick it up and he tried to short change me on it. Way less than the deer I took in. He ended up giving me some more packs out of the freezer but no telling whose box he shorted to give me that. I'm about out of options on where to take them now.


It may be out of the way a little but you need to try Shana's in Shorter. I've used several in Lee county south of Auburn and have never been happy with any of them.
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