Outrageous processing fee!!

[Mud Creek]

Also, as far as processing goes. I'll never understand how a hunter is so lazy they can't even field dress their own deer. The place I go to charges $30 to field dress, $60 if it's dropped off after hours. I would charge $100 to field dress just to take the lazy people's money.

Agree 1000%

 

[Jmoore]

My neighbor took a buck to Shackle Island processor, here in Hendersonville, that weighed 120.
They charged him $150 for processing!
That is outrageous.
Flowers Farms charges $95 per deer, regardless of size.
Took in 150# buck and 70# doe, same price

That's why I bought my own grinder and started doing it myself. Paid for itself in no time!

 

[CHRIS WILSON]

I don't enjoy the work too much, but I'm really glad I do my own now.

Agree. It's extra work but worth it.

 

[CliffordN]

Just paid $200 per deer & $90 caping fee in NE. Basic steaks, backstrap & burger, they don't tenderize either. Had 3 of them done. Could have done ourselves but with ranch 50 miles from the Airbnb we were staying in, it was more convenient to have them do & freeze.

$90 to cape a head is outrageous....

 

[7mmWSM]

Stu's in Moscow was $150 2 years ago. That's for a mature buck. Couldn't tell you what it is now because I never went back.

 

[CliffordN]

I drop my deer off and in return I get cuts that are well trimmed, vacuum packed, and labeled. Ground is packed in 3" tubes like if you bought ground meat at the grocery store. Pretty darn fair deal, IMO. Even though I process most of my own, I still drop a few off to the processor.

So basically cut up and packed, but without any sausage...

 

[Ski]

How long do you think it takes to do all that?

Would take me hours. If I were working I would earn more in the same amount of time as I pay the processor.

 

[Ski]

So basically cut up and packed, but without any sausage...

No. You can pay to have sausage made but I don't. I make my own. It costs me about $3/lb to make summer sausage myself at home. Probably cheaper to get it from processor but I like mine better.

 

[Snake]

I quit paying a long time ago. It don't take that long to skin and quarter one then let it cool out for few days and work it a little at a time .

 

[Jcalder]

Yep. I can't do it any faster. From the time I get the equipment set up, til everything is cleaned, sanitized, and put away, it's three hours for one deer.

I'll guarantee your quality is much better tho.

 

[nso123]

$85 here at a local processor that took over from the previous owner that stopped taking deer when he owned it, for a short while.

Have you seen any of their work? That's who I plan to use if I kill anything this year.

 

[fairchaser]

My neighbor took a buck to Shackle Island processor, here in Hendersonville, that weighed 120.
They charged him $150 for processing!
That is outrageous.
Flowers Farms charges $95 per deer, regardless of size.
Took in 150# buck and 70# doe, same price

That works out to $3/pound. Hamburger is $5.00/ pound but you don't have to drag it out of the woods. I won't shoot a doe unless you make me and then I usually donate it. Just not worth it anymore for the venison! I hate it but I've turned into a horn hunter. CWD made me do it!

 

[MUP]

Have you seen any of their work? That's who I plan to use if I kill anything this year.

I have not personally, but the friend who told me that they were under new ownership and now taking deer to process said that he has heard that they are clean and do good work. Just hearsay I know, but I'm taking a chance on them being good, and that they are the closest around for this area.

 

[younggun308]

It's crazy how much this varies geographically. I've mostly hunted where it's less than $100, or there simply are no processors whatsoever.

 

[bigtex]

Processed mine today. I cut and ground while the wife vacuum sealed, still took almost three hours.
I do understand why a lot of you guys take your deer to a processor though. It's time consuming and since I'm retired I have plenty of time on hand.

 

[deerhunter10]

Aint going to lie I'd charge a lot to. Don't mind doing my own, but would hate to do 100's.

 

[bowtechgump]

I keep telling people invest in a grinder an a cooler (not a Yeti or Igloo). It's like canning....and gardens.....your grandparents weren't poor just smart.

 

[Chiflyguy]

I did my own.
Neighbor taught me last year, went solo this time.
Had a kitchen aide,$25.00 for grinder attachment.
Bought a cheap vacuum sealer last year on Amazon, $25.00
Might sound weird but I consider processing my own is the final step in the hunting process.
I like doin it.
Just crank some Led Zeppelin, pop open a PBR tall boy and get to work.

 

[JW01]

My neighbor took a buck to Shackle Island processor, here in Hendersonville, that weighed 120.
They charged him $150 for processing!
That is outrageous.
Flowers Farms charges $95 per deer, regardless of size.
Took in 150# buck and 70# doe, same price

Has anyone priced vaccuum seal bags lately plus the cost of labor is more.

 

[DaveTN]

I did my own.
Neighbor taught me last year, went solo this time.
Had a kitchen aide,$25.00 for grinder attachment.
Bought a cheap vacuum sealer last year on Amazon, $25.00
Might sound weird but I consider processing my own is the final step in the hunting process.
I like doin it.
Just crank some Led Zeppelin, pop open a PBR tall boy and get to work.

That sounds like fun!

Other than the PBR stuff. I quit drinking that swill when I was old enough to have a job. Is that required?