When you have a cull plan and a landowner who wants deer controlled I find that a strange comment norma! Stop shooting them and the landowner will soon find someone who will start again!
cull plans are delivered over a year, in the event carcase prices drop there is no reason not to go on slow mode to encourage a price rise for a couple of weeks, there are many avenues that the odd deer Carcase can find a home, as long as it’s prepared / stored correctly, if you get a few deer per year, taking them to a game dealer on a ad hoc basis does lend you to being on the outside to controlling the price expect a reduction the GD ain’t gonna throw money away
if your getting a good number - find a GD that will give you a decent price within the parameters of your most productive cull plan time, if the one you used for years doesn’t come up with something near to what you want and agree the price beforehand, find one that will, get it sorted then let the original know the reason your moving on - that’s important to keep a stop on price reducing IMHO
only my pennies worth, but like most I’ve had some GD’s rip me off in the past, it’s a learn as you go situation sometimes, selling the odd deer to a GD does promote a low price sometimes, it’s what they do, deal in game - I’ve found preparation with GD prior to the season main cull time is a must and obviously keeping your end of the bargain is paramount, agreed numbers on time and certainly any bad shot carcasses are goeshomers, if you put in a fallow with both shoulders blown don’t expect to get any dollar for it, and he’ll inspect the carcasses even more after you try and push one of them on him
I grassed a lovely Roe buck in the season, my local GD said the price was £30.00 - I’m still eating it now, parted as friends on the context that if he wanted some venison it’s £1.50 per pound for a clean beast, didn’t close the door but won’t be going back, id rather eat it myself or give it to friends and family