Deer Season Is Here: What to Know About Custom Processing

Bringing in a deer this fall? Here is how our custom processing works, from drop-off to pickup, plus how to decide between steaks, roasts, ground, and jerky for your harvest.

Dale CrystalThird-Generation Butcher & Pitmaster

September 28, 20262 min read

A butcher's hands wrapping cuts of venison in white butcher paper in a processing room

Deer season brings a steady line of hunters through our processing door every fall, many of them for the first time. If this is your first harvest or you just want a smoother drop-off, here is exactly what to expect from field to freezer.

Before you drop it off

Field dress and skin the animal as soon as possible, and keep the carcass cool — ice it down if temperatures are above 40°F.
Call ahead during peak season. We can tell you current wait times and make sure we have room on the rail.
Bring your tag. We cannot accept an animal for processing without it.

How we build your cut sheet

When you drop off, we walk through a cut sheet together so your harvest comes back exactly how you want to cook it — not a generic default. This is the single biggest decision in the whole process, so take a minute to think about how your family actually eats.

Steaks: backstraps and tenderloins are prime steak cuts — thin-cut for quick searing or thicker for the grill.
Roasts: hindquarter muscles hold together well for slow-cooked roasts and pot roasts.
Ground: trim and tougher cuts grind into burger, and we can blend in beef or pork fat so your patties stay juicy.
Jerky and sausage: a great way to use less popular cuts — ask about our house seasoning blends.

Butcher's tip

If you are unsure how much ground versus steak to request, ask us for a "50/50 split with extra roasts." It is the most common request we get and works well for most families.

Pickup and packaging

Everything comes back to you vacuum-sealed and labeled by cut, ready straight for the freezer. Turnaround time varies with how busy the season is running, so we will give you an honest pickup estimate when you drop off — and call you the moment it is ready.

“A good harvest deserves a cut sheet that matches how your family actually cooks — not a one-size-fits-all package.”
— Dale Crystal

Ready to bring in your harvest? Call either shop to check current processing wait times, or stop by to ask any questions before opening day. We process wild game all fall and are happy to walk first-timers through the whole thing.

TaggedWild Game Deer Season Processing Custom Cutting Hunting Fall Jerky

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