First Year Hunter Question..

[Boett43]

This will be my first hunting season and bow season starts on tuesday so im really excited. I just have one thing im worried about..whats the deal when you take your deer to the butcher? i know you feild dress and take it there but then what? I know it probaly sounds dumb but im kinda nervous about it lol

[cart7t]

Then what?

Strap it across the hood of the car and drive through the middle of town a hoopin and a hollerin.

[burleytog]

Why would you take it to a butcher?   :-?

[Boett43]

I dont know anything about processing the deer and i dont know anyone that dose. is it pretty common for people to process the deer themselves?

[RobbyZ5001]

Then what?

Strap it across the hood of the car and drive through the middle of town a hoopin and a hollerin.

lol..... I never hunted before and I actually can imagine this happening in most parts of West Virginia.

[skunked_again]

I dont know anything about processing the deer and i dont know anyone that dose. is it pretty common for people to process the deer themselves?

processing a deer isnt rocket science but if youve never done it you might be ahead of the game packing up the deer and having it done by a pro.

id make sure you know how to skin/quarter a deer. when its hot out i like to pack my kill in a clean trash can and ice.

[burleytog]

Start here...

[burleytog]

is it pretty common for people to process the deer themselves?

Why wouldn't it be?  Other than ignorance or laziness, no reason to not do it yourself.

[burleytog]

Then what?

Strap it across the hood of the car and drive through the middle of town a hoopin and a hollerin.

lol..... I never hunted before and I actually can imagine this happening in most parts of West Virginia.

Oh yeah, I'm sure it is more likely to happen in WV than PA.   :

[RobbyZ5001]

Then what?

Strap it across the hood of the car and drive through the middle of town a hoopin and a hollerin.

lol..... I never hunted before and I actually can imagine this happening in most parts of West Virginia.

Oh yeah, I'm sure it is more likely to happen in WV than PA. :

Touche..... :-[

[Tin]

What do you mean take the deer and such? Thought you just looked for one with horns, shot it, take the head off with a Sawzall to put on your wall, and leave it. :-?

At Least that's the RI way for most. One can find decapitated deer in lakes/ponds, the sides of roads, and so on.

I guess most lup here like going to Stop and Shop for their meat. ;D

[Tim1980]

I don't butcher my deer, it isn't ignorance and sure as hell isn't laziness it's because if I'm butchering a deer I can't be hunting another.

Just field dress it, as said before put it where everyone can see it (preferably on the roof of a Trailblazer or other vehicle if its in a truck leave the tailgate down) stop get something to eat, sit where you can see your vehicle (watch people look at it) take it to the butcher, go hunting some more, wait for the call in a few days from the butcher. Pick it up.

Talk to your buddy's before you drop it off get the name of a good butcher you want someone that is quick, its worth paying an extra few dollars for some one that gets the deer back quick.

[boneil]

boett,  I Know how you feel.  I felt the same way when I first started out.   Taking your deer to a butcher is not lazy or ignorant as some might think, but don't worry about that.  And what ever you do don't parade your deer around town.  You will actually have people, especially here in MD,  call and complain to DNR.  I know from personal experience.  Keep your deer covered if it's in plain sight.  DNR/NRP will pull you over to check your license and weapon.

When you take the deer to the butcher,  they will have options and prices for different ways you want your deer done.  You might want a regular cut or maybe the whole deer ground  The butcher will explain the cuts and then tell you aproximately when the deer will be done.  They will usually call you when it's done.

Oh, and when you get to the butcher shop ask where to place to the deer first instead of just dragging the deer out acroos the lawn or walk way.  They don't want blood stains all over the place.

[looking4structure]

I always take my Deer to a butcher to get it processed because of all the yummy stuff he can make for you.I killed 3 last year and got backstrap steaks,Jalapeno cheese deer sausage,jerky,snack sticks,and summer sausage.Its hard to beat.Ive butchered many my self but only ended up with steaks and such since i don't have the proper stuff to make the sausage and snack sticks.

[Boett43]

Thanks for all the advice. Im deffinitly taking my first deer to the butcher maybe after that one ill think about doing it myself.

[Tim1980]

Deep breaths help you stay calm, pick your shooting lane then pick your spot.  Good luck.

[Boett43]

Yeah i been shooting quite a bit latley. i pretty confident. We have a nice blind set up on a tree farm ill be going there this week. Off topic but anybody have any advice on a broadhead. Ive been shootin the new trophy ridge meat seeker and i love em but d**n they are expensive lol

[madfish]

I always take my Deer to a butcher to get it processed because of all the yummy stuff he can make for you.I killed 3 last year and got backstrap steaks,Jalapeno cheese deer sausage,jerky,snack sticks,and summer sausage.Its hard to beat.Ive butchered many my self but only ended up with steaks and such since i don't have the proper stuff to make the sausage and snack sticks.

That sounds very very good, out of all the deer I have had butchered  I have never had sausage done, but i may have to look into this

[cart7t]

Thanks for all the advice. Im deffinitly taking my first deer to the butcher maybe after that one ill think about doing it myself.

Honestly,  if you only have one deer and you want to take full advantage of everything you can do with the meat like having some smoked, jerky, snack sticks, sausages, etc,  your best bet is a butcher.  

We used to do several deer at a time.  We also had access to a meat grinder and a sausage stuffer.  We'd buy all the ingredients ahead, casings for the sausage, extra pork as filler along with a couple galvanized wash tubs to mix it all in and spend a day drinking beer and processing deer.

It was a lot of work.

[Tim1980]

My dad, brother and I shoot Spitfire broad heads they are awesome.  We have been shooting them for a long time probably, 7 years at least, and shot at least one doe per person and bucks here and there.   Only one deer that we didn't find, we all agreed that it was a high shot.  They are also pretty expensive, but very effective.

I really think all broad heads are good if the shot is well placed, but we are not changing unless start having problems.

[Sfritr]

I butcher my own deer except in the early bow season.  Too hot, too many flies and bees etc.  It is much easier to skin and process a deer when the temps drop into the low 40s.  No bees, flies etc.  Also,that way you can age the meat.  I have let my deer hang for two or three weeks before processing itif the temps are below 41degrees.  MMMMM tender venison.

Down south I would probably just take it to a processor unless I had an air conditioned garage.  

[done]

...and when shotgun hunting, if you see a creature wearing bright orange 25+ ft up in a tree stand do not point your loaded gun at him so you can see him in your scope (actually happened to me). It is a good way to get someone really aggravated at you, LOL.

[Tim1980]

Wow use your scope to get a good look at someone.  They didn't teach me that at my hunter safety course.

[Mattlures]

I have only taken one deer to be processed and that was out of state and it was convenient. I dont think they did as good of a job as I do. But it was easy and it was only $50. I have been tempted to have one done by a shop here at home because they make incredible sausage and jerky but I am too cheap plus my sausage and jerky are prety darn good too. If I was rich I would definatley have them all processed. I am usualy beat up after a hard hunt and I dont feel like cutting and packaging for hours. I do it though and I certainly enjoy it afterwards. HMM I still have a little 09 deer in my freezer. I think I will have some tonight  

[Big Mike in Fl]

...and when shotgun hunting, if you see a creature wearing bright orange 25+ ft up in a tree stand do not point your loaded gun at him so you can see him in your scope (actually happened to me). It is a good way to get someone really aggravated at you, LOL.

exact same thing happened to me, and I was NOT happy. later, I saw him at the trucks, he was parked right next to me, I questioned him and he denied it, what a jerk.