Wild Venison Market

[Happy stalker]

What is happening to the wild venison market? And why are we still importing venison when we can’t get our own carcasses picked up because they say the uk market is flooded with carcasses

 

[Pete6.5]

It's mostly a consistently thing. I hate to say it but a chunk of what is produced here is not very well shot and dressed out and then can't compete with farmed venison.

 

[VSS]

It's mostly a consistently thing. I hate to say it but a chunk of what is produced here is not very well shot and dressed out and then can't compete with farmed venison.

Exactly this ^^^
Until or unless UK stalkers can produce to a consistent standard, there won't be much of a share of the mainstream market for wild venison.
If you want to add value to your carcasses the only way is to retail it yourself, and either sink or swim by your own efforts.

 

[Happy stalker]

It's mostly a consistently thing. I hate to say it but a chunk of what is produced here is not very well shot and dressed out and then can't compete with farmed venison.

Yes I can say I totally agree about poorly shot beasts and untidy larder work I have witnessed that myself, maybe that needs to be addressed more

 

[Happy stalker]

Exactly this ^^^
Until or unless UK stalkers can produce to a consistent standard, there won't be much of a share of the mainstream market for wild venison.
If you want to add value to your carcasses the only way is to retail it yourself, and either sink or swim by your own efforts.

Totally agree something really needs to be done about the shot and carcass preparation

 

[Klenchblaize]

It's mostly a consistently thing. I hate to say it but a chunk of what is produced here is not very well shot and dressed out and then can't compete with farmed venison.

Even a beast shot it the arse or through the gut can still produce a number of top quality cuts if you’re imaginative and careful with the butchering but I get that a dealer won’t be interested in taking such a carcass.

K

 

[willie_gunn]

Sorry to say, but much of the wild venison seen in the UK is predominantly viewed as simply an unfortunate by-product of the activity of deer stalking, accorded a corresponding low value and treated accordingly, and thus something to be disposed of as quickly as possible.

The market might treat it differently if it was instead viewed as a premium meat, sustainably sourced, subject to high quality handling and storage, with documented provenance. Oh, and decently marketed.

 

[SussexSteve]

My game dealer taking everything I can knock over and still wants more

 

[Happy stalker]

My game dealer taking everything I can knock over and still wants more

Sadly not happening up here north of the border

 

[VSS]

My game dealer taking everything I can knock over and still wants more

At a price that makes it worth knocking them over?

 

[Pete6.5]

I just see carcass that are shot badly, stored inappropriately and prepared poorly and instead of taking responsibility and disposing of it correctly some people insist on trying to get some quick cash. I also blame the game dealers for not being harder on it and rejecting them and telling people to go away and get training and take some pride in what they do.

 

[SussexSteve]

At a price that makes it worth knocking them over?

yes pays well although id shoot them regardless

 

[Klenchblaize]

Totally agree something really needs to be done about the shot and carcass preparation

Perhaps it comes down to two very distinctive scenarios:

1. The professional stalker who is governed by cull targets and would rather be out with the lamp than demonstrating his surgeon-like lardering skills.

2. The amateur stalker who simply doesn’t have the time to practice their lardering technique as they don’t shoot enough and what facilities they do have are less than conducive to the desired outcome when a beast or two do find their way to the shed or garage hanging bar.

K

 

[Pete6.5]

My game dealer taking everything I can knock over and still wants more

I'm sure you're in the same boat as me you produce a quality product and in quantity. It makes it very worth while him driving to you and picking up. I can't shoot enough to keep them all happy and they phone to ask when the next lot are ready for collection

 

[Happy stalker]

I just see carcass that are shot badly, stored inappropriately and prepared poorly and instead of taking responsibility and disposing of it correctly some people insist on trying to get some quick cash. I also blame the game dealers for not being harder on it and rejecting them and telling people to go away and get training and take some pride in what they do.

I think that is a lot of why it’s happening, I have one or two so called level 2 guys out and their work in my opinion as an AW was unacceptable

 

[slider]

Yes I can say I totally agree about poorly shot beasts and untidy larder work I have witnessed that myself, maybe that needs to be addressed more

It not just that it's actually the beast it's self, there is a massive difference in eating quality from a young roe doe to an ancient stinky stag and everything in between.

The consumer what's the same texture and taste every time

 

[Norfolk Deer Search]

My game dealer taking everything I can knock over and still wants more

Same here!

 

[Happy stalker]

It not just that it's actually the beast it's self, there is a massive difference in eating quality from a young roe doe to an ancient stinky stag and everything in between.

The consumer what's the same texture and taste every time

Yes absolutely, I will not be shooting many stags next season at the rut for that exact reason

 

[willie_gunn]

It not just that it's actually the beast it's self, there is a massive difference in eating quality from a young roe doe to an ancient stinky stag and everything in between.

The consumer what's the same texture and taste every time

Although I absolutely get where you're coming from in your first sentence, I don't necessarily agree with the second one!

In my experience the consumers I work with are quite happy to try different cuts, from different species, specifically in order to compare and contrast. They will even quiz me as to why venison from different animals tastes different. I have some who insist on roe, others who insist on muntjac, and some who like both.

Of course the same might not be true for the general consumer, but overall I think it is a much more complex market than we perhaps think at first glance.

 

[Norfolk Deer Search]

At a price that makes it worth knocking them over?

Absolutely using the same outfit and I’m very happy!