PROCESSERS FREEZERS DIED

[Bullshed]

Dropped off two deer three weeks ago for processing.Call yesterday said freezers tripped the breaker and all the meat is bad.Said they could use pork butt for sausage i had ordered.What would you tell them to do? Do the sausage or just get your money back.

[9dawgs]

Oh man, that ain't good...just another reason I don't use a processor. I guess it would depend on if he was going to give you a good discount on the pork to pay for your hunting trip. Pork ain't venison and it won't taste the same at all. I'd probably just get my money back and process my own in the future if he didn't do that. What a bummer. I hate it for you man.

[Kortsman]

What processor was it? Have you used him before? Sounds fishy to me... Maybe because I've been burned by a processor before, but they sometimes use your meat to fill in the "regulars" order. (guys that use them often) I've also heard them say "the meat just jumped off the hook" and you're left holding the bag...

[Triple Creek Reaper]

Sounds kind of fishy to me as well. How long would the inside of a cooler that large stay cold after the power shut off. A day or two perhaps, how often are they checking it? I would have to believe that processors this time of year are busy as h**l. How could they not manage to walk in that cooler over a 2 day period?

[redneck75]

I've seen it before where a walk-in cooler shut off and everything spoiled. It is possible. Don't really matter if the guy is being straight up with you or not. Either way, you're not getting your meat back. Get your money back and never go back.

[treefarmer]

Bullshed, 9dawgs hit the nail on the head! It's time to process your own venison.

A deer can be aged in an ice chest or an old refrigerator just like a processor does it. Keep ice on the meat, keep the drain open and then learn to work up your own deer meat. Ask some question and dive in! It's not rocket science but it pays to take notes and pay attention to details that will make it an easier job next time.

Breaking down a deer is easy and can be done with a pocket knife for the most part. You would be surprised how easy it is to remove the shoulders and backstraps. The hams need a little more than a pocket knife as you must split the pelvis, heavy knife,cleaver,axe or some type of saw that will cut the bone(I use a sawzall). Neck and rib meat can be removed to add to other trimmings for sausage.

Sausage can be made in link form(stuffed in casings) or made bulk(patty). A grinder and stuffer can be purchased for the price of 2 or 3 trips to a processor. I know this isn't for everybody but it can be done and practice makes perfect. Patty/bulk also eliminates need for a smokehouse, which is a whole different ball game.

Ageing is very important to the finished product, just like beef. Silver skin, connective tissue and fat are all enemies of quality venison. Silver skin encases most muscles, including the top side of the backstraps, and can be removed much like a bass fillet is prepared, just has skin on all sides. Cross grain slicing insures a tender cut when makeing boneless fry meat and chops. Attached is a picture of a ham that had been in the ice chest since Dec. 6. It was killed on the 5th, skinned and gutted, hung over night then placed in ice chest for 15 days to age. The picture shows the amount of fat the was on the hind quarters of this particular deer, it helped protect the meat as it went throught the ageing process in the ice chest.

There are plenty of fellers who follow this site that will share knowledge and suggestions with you if you want to take the next step. Treefarmer

[Bullshed]

I have used him before, very happy the first time.He is in central Fl.anyone else get the same story yesterday?

[Bullshed]

I have proceesed my own game for many years.I know how too, just very busy with work and family.

[M12Gunboy]

How about the name and city of the processor so if we have a kill and want it processed in Central FL we don't take it to him since something is obviously shakey and/or he doesn't have a reliable cooler and cooling system for his operation?

[TerribleTed]

You don't need saw or clippers. I can debone deer hogs with a regular skinning knife. There is allot more to processing the meat than quartering. Allot sliver skin to remove and knowledge of which cut is best for what purpose.


Your hosed. I demand my money and compensation.

[Bullshed]

Chop n Block out of Winter Haven

[M12Gunboy]

THX!

[sam03]

wow that sucks...its easy just do it your self!