Butchering cost

[Tf223]

The butchery part, to me, is just work - with the shot being a moment of realising that the work has only just started!!

I don’t gain any pleasure from that part, and would rather have a pro turn whatever I have into quality cuts/sausages/burgers.

It probably doesn’t help that with a young family at home I just don’t have the time and another job is the last thing I want. Perhaps in years to come I’ll enjoy the process - but perhaps not

 

[jthyttin]

The vacuumed end product does look like it's been optimized for time not result.

I'm not saying there's major flaws, but a good bit of work has been left to end user. And there a bits in the mince that I'd very much like not having there (other cuts are just work, but you really cannot effectively get the "hard parts" out of the mince).

If you butcher your own meat, you can tailor the packs to the style you use them (size and quality). That makes actual cooking so much easier, and you also have lower threshold to actually take the meat from fridge and cook, when you know what's in the pack and how you'd use it.

Of course if you're not the one doing cooking, this is double important. If the cook gets "mystery pack" every time, it might soon mean the days of venison are over in the kitchen...

 

[Tim.243]

Thanks all for the advice. I should have predicted there would be many people advising to learn myself. I am well aware I can learn, but I wanted this to be done well as mentioned in the OP. I’ll learn eventually. Now isn’t the time.

The answer was £30 for the Roe and Muntjac from the local butcher. Results attached!

It takes time to learn all aspects of shooting with some posts I read people miss out the grass roots of skills only to struggle when their FAC drops through the letter box. The " I don't have the time" quote seems to be used more so these days.
It takes a lot longer time to pick up ground, learn to read and understand it, shoot a deer clean it out with out making green soup.
In truth it would take less time to skin and butcher a muntjac then get to ones ground stalk or wait for a time then come home.

 

[GIMLET61]

Isn't there another stalker in Essex, nearby that could run through the process and get you started?

 

[RescueMe0007]

I have got a Muntjac and Roe buck carcass hanging and I have plans to take it to a butcher for my own consumption. I would like them to butcher it down into usable cuts.
I am into deer stalking for the food aspect. I think an important way to present game to others - friends at dinner parties etc is the presentation of the product. And whilst I would love to learn the butchery side, I currently have two carcasses that need processing.

So my question is this - how much do you think is a fair price for two carcasses to be butchered down into usable cuts - steaks, loins, slow braising cuts, mince etc etc and vac sealed for freezing? Has anyone had this done before - how much usable meat did you get per carcass and how much did it cost for butchery

Thanks all!

R

If and when you do decide to take the task on yourself I believe the video below is well worth a look, I found it extremely helpful:



Best of luck in your endeavours.

 

[sauer]

Lad said it above and many don't realise it....

The works just getting started once that triggers pulled and you've connected !!

 

[Oh6]

Lad said it above and many don't realise it....

The works just getting started once that triggers pulled and you've connected !!

Depending on where the deer drops, I assume that it's 2-3 hours work I am committed to, to get it in the freezer.
That soon racks up when I shoot multiples...

 

[Pard 007]

When you have time give it a go yourself YouTube can be your teacher, I do a few for myself each season. Got a mincer so can make burgers. Strip carcase off & take it bagged up to butchers for them to make sasauge. Did ask if they would butcher a whole carcase said yes between £30 &£50 depending on what you want doing. Couple mates have had some done very happy with the results. Just pop into a few local butchers & ask the question would need to be skinned off.

 

[Fursty Ferret]

Do it yourself surely?
Call me old fashioned but if you shoot an animal and plan to eat it yourself, then you should be able to cut it up yourself.
Our ancestors would be turning in their grave

 

[Tf223]

Do it yourself surely?
Call me old fashioned but if you shoot an animal and plan to eat it yourself, then you should be able to cut it up yourself.
Our ancestors would be turning in their grave

It should defo be something all stalkers should learn.
Whether to continue to do it after that or pay another todo it for you, that will always be down to the individual based on personal circumstance.

 

[Mike1979]

It should defo be something all stalkers should learn.
Whether to continue to do it after that or pay another todo it for you, that will always be down to the individual based on personal circumstance.

Its a fair point and valid. Time is precious and its your call whether to pay someone else to do it or not.

I can do loads of DIY stuff....6 years of doing it every evening and weekends...and now im really good at stuff...Im fed up with it so much rather pay someone to do it whilst Im at work. Leaves me time to kill wildlife (and have the time to chop it up...not having a dig..promise )

 

[DevonRifle]

It is hugely down to the individual and what they want to get from the experience. There are those happy to pay to shoot a deer and leave the guide to take the meat. I’m at the other end of the scale, I love to cook and create new dishes and doing the butchery means I have complete control of what cuts I use. Mind you I love cooking because I love food and have complete control of what I eat!