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Message
Opinions needed on deer processing
Posted on 8/13/26 at 11:11 am
Posted on 8/13/26 at 11:11 am
I'm thinking about doing deer processing at a small scale this year to see how it goes. There are not many processors around Alex as far as I know.
I've used 4 Acres in Deville and they're good, and I think Martin Meats quit processing deer. Don't know if Juneau's does it (they bought out Town and Country).
WTS, how much interest would you think there'd be in someone that would supply tenderized steaks and ground meat only?
No sausage or specialty items, but of course cleaned up whole straps if that's what is requested.
Been doing my own for over 30 yrs and thinking about trying it out for a semi-retirement idea.
Thanks for any advice or opinions. And of course down vote away.
I've used 4 Acres in Deville and they're good, and I think Martin Meats quit processing deer. Don't know if Juneau's does it (they bought out Town and Country).
WTS, how much interest would you think there'd be in someone that would supply tenderized steaks and ground meat only?
No sausage or specialty items, but of course cleaned up whole straps if that's what is requested.
Been doing my own for over 30 yrs and thinking about trying it out for a semi-retirement idea.
Thanks for any advice or opinions. And of course down vote away.
10
Posted on 8/13/26 at 11:17 am to SCwTiger
quote:
No sausage or specialty items
This is where the $ is in my opinion.
Posted on 8/13/26 at 11:40 am to SCwTiger
I've been doing all ground meat lately aside from the straps.
Posted on 8/13/26 at 11:50 am to SCwTiger
Gotta think about the cost of doing it.
You can probably find a lot of stuff used but something like a walk in fridge would be hard to find.
Tables can usually be found.
Like other poster said, sausage is a big profit maker and most people want sausage with their meat. If you don't have that, going to be harder to get repeat customers.
Not trying to discourage you, just making sure you're thinking about everything.
You can probably find a lot of stuff used but something like a walk in fridge would be hard to find.
Tables can usually be found.
Like other poster said, sausage is a big profit maker and most people want sausage with their meat. If you don't have that, going to be harder to get repeat customers.
Not trying to discourage you, just making sure you're thinking about everything.
Posted on 8/13/26 at 12:16 pm to SCwTiger
I don’t ever get sausage, but I think I’m in the minority. You’d be boxing out the majority of your client base by not offering sausage. But, if you want to start small that may not be an issue. You could always add sausage later or bring someone in to process the sausage as you try to scale it.
Posted on 8/13/26 at 12:41 pm to SCwTiger
I’m curious to see how it goes. If AI makes my career irrelevant and my business becomes obsolete this is one of my fallbacks.
Seth Greene Archer & Butcher on FB is a good follow. He’ll make you not ever want to make sausage.
Seth Greene Archer & Butcher on FB is a good follow. He’ll make you not ever want to make sausage.
Posted on 8/13/26 at 12:57 pm to bbvdd
quote:
something like a walk in fridge
This. You gotta know the deer will be coming in on the weekends mostly.
Also I have no clue what the licensing requirements would be.
You need to keep a clean and smell free shop as much as possible.
I would consider the opposite, and just do a handful of bulk steaks and cubed meat type stuff. The easy stuff. and Then only sausage.
You could also encourage people to bring their meat in a cooler and leave it in the cooler. To reduce the fridge space you need.
I'm assuming you've timed yourself? I've processed quite a few also but I've never really tried to time myself and do it most efficiently like I would if it was a business.
Posted on 8/13/26 at 1:13 pm to baldona
quote:
This. You gotta know the deer will be coming in on the weekends mostly.
That's something else to consider. Not only on the weekends, but the holidays. Thanksgiving, Christmas, etc.
Posted on 8/13/26 at 1:39 pm to bbvdd
I've thought about all of that. I'd definitely get a walk in cooler should this turn into a full time gig. Right now, if I even do it, it will be on a word of mouth basis and a limited number just to see how much of a headache it is.
I can do a whole deer in a little over two hours plus the grinding. I once did nine from a Texas trip and it took me three nights.
I've also thought about the fact that it will cut into my recreation time during the season. That's when I really take time off and stay in the woods - that would be decreased big time.
Thanks
I can do a whole deer in a little over two hours plus the grinding. I once did nine from a Texas trip and it took me three nights.
I've also thought about the fact that it will cut into my recreation time during the season. That's when I really take time off and stay in the woods - that would be decreased big time.
Thanks
Posted on 8/13/26 at 1:45 pm to SCwTiger
Be careful it might turn into a full time business.
Posted on 8/13/26 at 2:14 pm to SCwTiger
quote:
Been doing my own for over 30 yrs and thinking about trying it out for a semi-retirement idea.
Everyone I know who has started out doing it and were good and fair priced had more work than they wanted.
Are you willing to give up your hunting season? I want to retire to hunt more not less! I’m going to look for a retirement job that is summer only lol.
Posted on 8/13/26 at 2:58 pm to SCwTiger
Stay away 
How and when are the deer dropped off? If you are taking in whole or field dressed, the majority are going to show up on the weekend. If you are taking in previously quartered deer in ice chests, they may come in one a weekday; but now you have different issues with the big one being having to process some of these immediately because they've been on ice for a few days already.
How and when will they be picked up? If you are still working some, this leaves weeknights and the weekend. If you set pickup hours, then you have to be there; but it won't matter some people will show up all hours of the day regardless of whether you are there or not.
Are you doing this at your house/shop? Even if you are selective with the clientele, you can't control who they bring for pickup and drop off. Do you really want that sketchy, friend of a friend who rides along seeing your place and taking inventory?
How are you going to handle CWD? Its now confirmed close enough to that area to be an issue.
Does it really take you 2 hours to go through the entire process including breakdown of equipment, decontamination, and cleaning between successive deer? Are you packaging and is that included in the time?
Just some thoughts from someone that has also processed their own for 30 years and has been a part of 2 similar home based business.
How and when are the deer dropped off? If you are taking in whole or field dressed, the majority are going to show up on the weekend. If you are taking in previously quartered deer in ice chests, they may come in one a weekday; but now you have different issues with the big one being having to process some of these immediately because they've been on ice for a few days already.
How and when will they be picked up? If you are still working some, this leaves weeknights and the weekend. If you set pickup hours, then you have to be there; but it won't matter some people will show up all hours of the day regardless of whether you are there or not.
Are you doing this at your house/shop? Even if you are selective with the clientele, you can't control who they bring for pickup and drop off. Do you really want that sketchy, friend of a friend who rides along seeing your place and taking inventory?
How are you going to handle CWD? Its now confirmed close enough to that area to be an issue.
Does it really take you 2 hours to go through the entire process including breakdown of equipment, decontamination, and cleaning between successive deer? Are you packaging and is that included in the time?
Just some thoughts from someone that has also processed their own for 30 years and has been a part of 2 similar home based business.
Posted on 8/13/26 at 3:08 pm to SCwTiger
If you enjoy deer hunting, there’s no way I’d fool with processing. Also, you’ll need to collect payment. They’ll pay power, cable, truck note, 4wheeler note, and boat note before they pay you.
Posted on 8/14/26 at 8:09 am to SCwTiger
Pretty sure 4 acres is it . There is a place in Marksville that does it ,but 4 acres is much better .
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