Deer at processor for 5+ weeks

[dammitbobby]

I dropped off my buck on 10/7 at a newer processor in my area and chose a pretty basic package of tenderloins, backstrap, and the rest ground. They have a walk in cooler for weekends and after hours dropoffs and I saw there were only two other deer in the cooler at the time I dropped. I reached out to them on 10/11 to confirm everything and they let me know they'd have it done by the end of the following week.

Two weeks went by without hearing anything so I contacted them again on 10/24. They apologized, claiming they had been short handed and backed up but had set aside the next Tues and Weds to do nothing but process deer, and mine would be in that batch. They went as far as to say "worst case scenario" it would be done that Wednesday (11/1).

That date came and went and didn't hear anything from them. I had to reach out again on 11/7 and this time I let them know I was having concerns as to what could be taking so long, since all they're doing is grinding it up. They sent me a sincere response and let me know I wouldn't be charged for the processing. They absolutely assured me that it would be done by that Friday 11/10. I accepted that and was fine with it. They even sent me a text late Thursday confirming they were still working on my deer and to expect another text as soon as it was in baskets ready for pickup the next day. Of course, I have still heard nothing back.

I am wondering whats the longest y'all have ever had to wait for a processor? I'm also curious if the meat would even still be good after hanging in the cooler for over 30 days. Is there anything specific I should ask them about the condition of the meat when I finally do pick it up? Any insight would be appreciated.

 

[peytoncreekhunter]

I'd get the rack back if you left it and tell them to keep the rest.

 

[themanpcl]

I dropped off my buck on 10/7 at a newer processor in my area and chose a pretty basic package of tenderloins, backstrap, and the rest ground. They have a walk in cooler for weekends and after hours dropoffs and I saw there were only two other deer in the cooler at the time I dropped. I reached out to them on 10/11 to confirm everything and they let me know they'd have it done by the end of the following week.

Two weeks went by without hearing anything so I contacted them again on 10/24. They apologized, claiming they had been short handed and backed up but had set aside the next Tues and Weds to do nothing but process deer, and mine would be in that batch. They went as far as to say "worst case scenario" it would be done that Wednesday (11/1).

That date came and went and didn't hear anything from them. I had to reach out again on 11/7 and this time I let them know I was having concerns as to what could be taking so long, since all they're doing is grinding it up. They sent me a sincere response and let me know I wouldn't be charged for the processing. They absolutely assured me that it would be done by that Friday 11/10. I accepted that and was fine with it. They even sent me a text late Thursday confirming they were still working on my deer and to expect another text as soon as it was in baskets ready for pickup the next day. Of course, I have still heard nothing back.

I am wondering whats the longest y'all have ever had to wait for a processor? I'm also curious if the meat would even still be good after hanging in the cooler for over 30 days. Is there anything specific I should ask them about the condition of the meat when I finally do pick it up? Any insight would be appreciated.

WOW. I have never had one take more than 5 days even at the peak of season. Most of the time it is ready before I am done rearranging the freezer...lol...I'd be concerned. If they are that short on help, what's the cooler look like and did yours get in and stay in before it got too warm....

 

[44 mag]

Is this a buck you are wanting to mount? If so did you get your cap or head back? I have never had to wait more than 2 weeks or so

 

[C1295]

I would say someone else got your meat... I would be getting my Rack ASAP and forgetting the rest.

 

[tntrkkllr]

That's insane, something fishy about that.. do they do other stuff than deer?? I drop a deer off at my processor they skin and hang for 3 days minimum then cut it up. Normally I do tenderloin tenderized and the rest ground so if I drop it off Sunday I'm getting a phone call Friday.

 

[killingtime 41]

They have sold the meat off and scrapped the rack for knife handles.

 

[GRIT]

I would not eat it that's too long. Plus if they were shorthanded like they said they shouldn't even have been open. I would let them know what i thought about how they do business.

 

[CHRIS WILSON]

When I've used a local processor, it's never taken more than a week or so for it to be processed and ready for me to pick it up. I've never heard of one taking five weeks....even at the peak of the season.

 

[jlanecr500]

No worries t w r a is going to pause deer hunting next year to let them catch up

 

[backyardtndeer]

That is pathetic. Some processors back before I started doing my own wouldn't let a deer hang more than 7 days even if you requested for them to hang them longer. Post up the name of the processor so others know to avoid them.

 

[Rabbitkil]

I had one do that said he let all deer hang for 21 days in the cooler cause that's what people like, if I had known that I would have never used him. I couldn't even eat the meat when I got it back had a funky taste

 

[chris1976]

With it being so long your deer is most likely in someone else's freezer by now. When you get "yours" back it will be meat from someone else's. This is the exact reason I started processing my own 30 years ago. Good luck.

 

[r2darr]

None of the place? So I can avoid

 

[MickThompson]

Did you pay anything at drop off? That thing would be green by now at most of the processors I've seen.

 

[UTGrad]

Why not name them here so we can:

1) Not go there

2) Maybe others will know their reputation

 

[dammitbobby]

Why not name them here so we can:

1) Not go there

2) Maybe others will know their reputation

I'll post an update later this evening.

 

[74MOPAR]

Get the antlers if they have them, tell them to keep the spoiled meat.

 

[FLTENNHUNTER1]

What is the temp of the cooler?

Lesson learned.

I recommend next time do it yourself. I have been processing my own for decades.

 

[BigCityBubba]

As long as the cooler is set to just above freezing like around 34 degrees, you can hang a deer for months without it going bad. I have seen people hang a deer for 3 months. Although I process all my own deer now, I have never had to wait more than a week for a processor when I did have a deer processed by someone else. They typically want it paid for and gone as fast as possible.