IF you use a processor, you might ...

Jcalder

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It's really not that hard to process one yourself. After about 4 deer, a decent grinder is paid for. Another deer or 2 and a slicer, along with a vacuum sealer is paid for. Guess it don't bother some to have their deer run thru with that gut shot deer that was toted around for 2 days before it was dropped off. The quality is nearly a guarantee if you do it yourself, and you know you got ALL of your deer, not his and hers and theirs and the gut pile too.
 

Specializedjon

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want to check with them to see if they are full or not.

H&R in Crossville has announced that they are full until they can catch up.

Add to that, one of the other local processors is no longer doing deer.

Just a heads up!

AND if you process your own, good for you, but we really don't care :D !
I needed that laugh bro...thank you.
 

PalsPal

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It's really not that hard to process one yourself. After about 4 deer, a decent grinder is paid for. Another deer or 2 and a slicer, along with a vacuum sealer is paid for. Guess it don't bother some to have their deer run thru with that gut shot deer that was toted around for 2 days before it was dropped off. The quality is nearly a guarantee if you do it yourself, and you know you got ALL of your deer, not his and hers and theirs and the gut pile too.

I KNEW some just couldn't resist :D !
 

Jcalder

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I KNEW some just couldn't resist :D !
Resist or not. What's gonna happen when someone can't find a processor. We've already got one guy on here thinking it's perfectly fine cutting out backstraps and throwing the rest in a pit. Let's just shoot them and let them rot in the yard.


Btw, I don't do Facebook or Yellowstone either, so I'm 2/3s there….
 

Spurhunter

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Munford, TN
It's really not that hard to process one yourself. After about 4 deer, a decent grinder is paid for. Another deer or 2 and a slicer, along with a vacuum sealer is paid for.
I know how to process a deer. I have the means to buy any equipment I would need. With me it comes down to time vs. money. I would rather pay someone to process my deer and spend that time hunting. If I was retired I would do my own. If I couldn't afford a processor I would do my own. Different people have different reasons for making different decisions. Life isn't one size fits all for everybody.
 

Jcalder

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I know how to process a deer. I have the means to buy any equipment I would need. With me it comes down to time vs. money. I would rather pay someone to process my deer and spend that time hunting. If I was retired I would do my own. If I couldn't afford a processor I would do my own. Different people have different reasons for making different decisions. Life isn't one size fits all for everybody.
Agree that everyone has their own reasons. My frustration is every year someone comes on here whining they didn't get their back. Or they were shorted. Meat was tainted. The OP actually makes a valid point that the processors are full or have limited room. So what happens when you (not you personally, but you get my point) bring your deer and they won't accept it. Personally, I just work it in to my already busy schedule and get it done. Takes less than an hour to get one deboned and maybe an hour to to get my cuts and it into the freezer. And no, I don't usually do it all at one time. It's time consuming, but as a kid I was under the impression deer was bad and the only way to fix it was jerky. As an adult, it's all in how it's cared for after the shot. You can't expect a processor to take his time when he's doing 1000s a year.
 

Headhunter

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Good on you Cat!
Most I have donated in one year was 23 or 24 does. I don't remember, but it was a bunch of meat. I paid for all of them myself to. I skinned and quartered the deer and carried the quarters to Smyrna Processing (closed many years ago) and they would grind all the meat. The ground was donated. It got to be so much the guy just had me meet him, I believe his name was Bruce, and he took care of the ground deer.
 

OneShot

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Harriman, TN, USA
I know how to process a deer. I have the means to buy any equipment I would need. With me it comes down to time vs. money. I would rather pay someone to process my deer and spend that time hunting. If I was retired I would do my own. If I couldn't afford a processor I would do my own. Different people have different reasons for making different decisions. Life isn't one size fits all for everybody.

^^^^^^ This ^^^^^
 

Big Gun

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Dave's processing at the Fayette/Shelby county line announced today on Facebook ;) that they were full and not taking any deer until Friday. I've never seen Yellowstone.
 

WilcoKen

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want to check with them to see if they are full or not.

H&R in Crossville has announced that they are full until they can catch up.

Add to that, one of the other local processors is no longer doing deer.

Just a heads up!

AND if you process your own, good for you, but we really don't care :D !
Yes this is a common theme I'm seeing due to our "Unprecedented times". Goes right along with "Out of stock" "Currently Unavailable " etc etc. Sick of all the BS.
 

Snowwolfe

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Alaska or bust!
True, everyone has their reasons for using a processor. But one thing I can guarantee you is no processor will take as good care of it as you or I would. Wife and I examine every piece of meat and remove every hair or yucky piece of meat we find.
Outside of the occasional NY or rib eye steak, venison is the only red meat we eat and we want the highest quality we can get. I know exactly how the meat was handled from the time the deer hits the ground till it goes into our mouth.
 

megalomaniac

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Mississippi
... it's all in how it's cared for after the shot. You can't expect a processor to take his time when he's doing 1000s a year.
Couldn't agree more. The difference between 'processed' meat vs doing it yourself is the difference between a gourmet protein vs. Something barely fit for your dog.

IF you are planning on having a processor make smoked sausage, there is no ha in deboning the quarters and freezing them, then take to the processor frozen. He can keep them frozen until it's your turn then thaw, trim, grind, mix, and smoke the sausage, then refreeze.
 

PalsPal

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I guess I've been lucky. Never had an issue with how one was processed or concerned that I didn't get "my" deer.

I knew this thread would end up here. Always does :D !
 

Levee Jumper

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May 11, 2015
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Thank you for letting us know. Just be sure and post every time there's a mention of Facebook, Yellowstone, or deer processor like the rest of them do. 🤬
I like girls so I do process my own deer and think facebook is garbage. However Yellowstone is Badazz!

I'm waiting for people to start processing turkeys and ducks too so people won't get their hands all "Yucky and Stuff"
 
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