West TN Processor Suggestions

[dgolden]

I just read where Stengal Brother's is closing the doors. With deer season coming soon, anyone have some suggestions for a processor in the Fayette or Hardeman areas? We always used Stengal Brothers as they were convenient and did a good job.

 

[Andy S.]

I read Scott's post and agree that is terrible news. I have never used them, but I have always heard/read good things about them. Scott's Facebook post is below verbatim:

"Stengel Brothers Outdoors will be closed for deer processing for the 2019 hunting season. The state has put all processors and taxidermists in a tight spot. 100 percent of the liabilities have been placed on the business owners with almost zero help from the state. We will miss seeing all the hunters and their family members . The Stengels have formed a close bond with our clients and very much regret this decision. Thanks for all the great times we have had."

Unless something changes, I suspect other Unit CWD processors will succumb too if they truly care about avoiding cross contamination at all costs. I do not see how one can avoid it with 2-3 week wait time on results.

 

[TheLBLman]

I suspect other Unit CWD processors will succumb too . . . . . .

I agree.
With the change in the legalities,
many processors cannot afford the financial risks of keeping their doors open.

And, as to even the ones which stay open,
will have to significantly increase their processing prices to a point that maybe few hunters will be willing to pay.

This alone will significantly reduce the doe kill in the CWD areas.

 

[Boll Weevil]

We've taken our deer to Kimrey's in Grand Junction for years and will continue so long as they keep processing. I also expect kill numbers to drop.

 

[Andy S.]

We've taken our deer to Kimrey's in Grand Junction for years.......

Same here. I love Ms. Sandra and Ralph. Hard to beat for $55.

 

[TDW05]

I suspect this is the year that CWD makes it to the east side of the state.

 

[Andy S.]

I suspect this is the year that CWD makes it to the east side of the state.

I hope not, and I have never deer hunted on the east side. The BEST outcome for the STATE is to confine it to the best of their ability and SLOW the spread as best they can. If you do not have, you do not want it, I can promise you that. It just further complicates something that is supposed to be fun and stress free for the most part.

 

[TDW05]

I suspect this is the year that CWD makes it to the east side of the state.

I hope not, and I have never deer hunted on the east side. The BEST outcome for the STATE is to confine it to the best of their ability and SLOW the spread as best they can. If you do not have, you do not want it, I can promise you that. It just further complicates something that is supposed to be fun and stress free for the most part.

I agree Andy. I just know, that with some processors closing on the west side, there will be someone bring a positive deer to the east side processors. It's inevitable.

 

[fairchaser]

I think any surviving processors will need to advertise as CWD free zones. In other words, they should only process deer that have negative tests. Any other deer can be hung to age in a separate facility until test results are in. There is no concern for cross contamination if they only process negative deer. What other choice do they have?

 

[TDW05]

But if one comes back negative all those deer are no good either. If only the one tested positive let's just say, then that facility is worthless then. Would say facility charge a $10 holding fee or something while they wait on results? What's to be done first time they have a positive result? Close it down? Use as a holding spot until TWRA can come take care of the deer? It's tricky all the way around.

 

[TheLBLman]

I just know, that with some processors closing on the west side,
there will be someone bring a positive deer to the east side processors.
It's inevitable.

While I agree there is going to be some "NON-compliance" with the new rules,
that doesn't mean this non-compliance is our biggest risk effecting the spread of CWD.

Realize that most of the deer dying from CWD are never seen, much less transported anywhere by any human.
What happens to them?
Largely, they are consumed by scavengers, in large part our common buzzards.

As to the spread of CWD-prions east of the TN River,
I suspect most have (not will) come from buzzard droppings.

For example, there are hundreds (maybe thousands) of buzzards at any given time "hunting" BOTH sides of the Tennessee River, year round! Not only do these big birds have a large weekly range, but they are also migratory, so CWD prions in Wisconsin can show up in Tennessee simply from buzzard poop.

Today, a group of buzzards may feed on a deer carcass in McNairy County.
Tomorrow, those same buzzards may be spreading their CWD-prion-infected poop across Humprheys County.
NOTHING we can do about this.

 

[TDW05]

I just know, that with some processors closing on the west side,
there will be someone bring a positive deer to the east side processors.
It's inevitable.

While I agree there is going to be some "NON-compliance" with the new rules,
that doesn't mean this non-compliance is our biggest risk effecting the spread of CWD.

Realize that most of the deer dying from CWD are never seen, much less transported anywhere by any human.
What happens to them?
Largely, they are consumed by scavengers, in large part our common buzzards.

As to the spread of CWD-prions east of the TN River,
I suspect most have (not will) come from buzzard droppings.

For example, there are hundreds (maybe thousands) of buzzards at any given time "hunting" BOTH sides of the Tennessee River, year round! Not only do these big birds have a large weekly range, but they are also migratory, so CWD prions in Wisconsin can show up in Tennessee simply from buzzard poop.

Today, a group of buzzards may feed on a deer carcass in McNairy County.
Tomorrow, those same buzzards may be spreading their CWD-prion-infected poop across Humprheys County.
NOTHING we can do about this.

Very true! I didn't think about that aspect!

 

[dgolden]

I read Scott's post and agree that is terrible news. I have never used them, but I have always heard/read good things about them. Scott's Facebook post is below verbatim:

"Stengel Brothers Outdoors will be closed for deer processing for the 2019 hunting season. The state has put all processors and taxidermists in a tight spot. 100 percent of the liabilities have been placed on the business owners with almost zero help from the state. We will miss seeing all the hunters and their family members . The Stengels have formed a close bond with our clients and very much regret this decision. Thanks for all the great times we have had."

Unless something changes, I suspect other Unit CWD processors will succumb too if they truly care about avoiding cross contamination at all costs. I do not see how one can avoid it with 2-3 week wait time on results.

I agree Andy. If they could get test results back within a week, then the processor can prevent contaminating his equipment, other meat, etc.
Also, is it true that the landfills won't accept any deer carcasses?

 

[Andy S.]

I read Scott's post and agree that is terrible news. I have never used them, but I have always heard/read good things about them. Scott's Facebook post is below verbatim:

"Stengel Brothers Outdoors will be closed for deer processing for the 2019 hunting season. The state has put all processors and taxidermists in a tight spot. 100 percent of the liabilities have been placed on the business owners with almost zero help from the state. We will miss seeing all the hunters and their family members . The Stengels have formed a close bond with our clients and very much regret this decision. Thanks for all the great times we have had."

Unless something changes, I suspect other Unit CWD processors will succumb too if they truly care about avoiding cross contamination at all costs. I do not see how one can avoid it with 2-3 week wait time on results.

I agree Andy. If they could get test results back within a week, then the processor can prevent contaminating his equipment, other meat, etc.
Also, is it true that the landfills won't accept any deer carcasses?

That is what I was told back in January when the testing first started. I suspect Scott would know better than I on that critical piece of his operation.

 

[fairchaser]

But if one comes back negative all those deer are no good either. If only the one tested positive let's just say, then that facility is worthless then. Would say facility charge a $10 holding fee or something while they wait on results? What's to be done first time they have a positive result? Close it down? Use as a holding spot until TWRA can come take care of the deer? It's tricky all the way around.

Simple solution. Clean all the equipment thoroughly and denatured it so that there are no prions. Then each deer hangs in a separate facility until tests come back. If it's positive the deer is properly disposed of. Deer carcasses hanging in the same place will not contaminate one another. Prions don't jump from one place to another. That way, you never process a positive deer. This may cost the processor a little more to have a separate refrigerator but it's the only real solution.

 

[swd]

I started using Dave's Processing last year for several of my deer. I have been happy with them. That said, I may start processing more of my own this year if I can figure out how to store them until I can get test results back.