Deer hunting, getting it butchered.

**caesius** · 1st October 2007, 23:46

Moving into a flat next year, foods gonna be expensive so I've had this great idea to go deer hunting every couple of months and stock up a deep freeze with venison steaks, sausages, mince etc etc.

Only problem is I've got no idea where to take the carcass. I'll be in the Wellington area but I wouldn't mind driving for a good butcher.

I've also got no idea about how much it would cost, how much meat you get back, how to transport it, how long it takes, which places to avoid etc etc. Would someone who knows a bit more than me fill me in? I'm so exciting about the deep freeze fulla' delicious deer meat I need to know.

Venison steak with an appropriate selected beer...I can't wait.

**ynot slow** · 2nd October 2007, 06:54

Maybe try any rural home kill butchers,some can cut up for you,also try the regions sports shops selling rifles etc,they may have info on butchers or processers,not sure if yellow pages help to you,our ones have butchers and home kill lists.

**ynot slow** · 2nd October 2007, 06:54

Ps,my finders fee is 2kg saussies,and 1 kg steak.

**deanohit** · 2nd October 2007, 07:07

Just ask around butchers shops. I've always butchered my own meat and sent parts in for sausages to one of the butchers in Blenheim. Not any more though now in Tauranga, I don't get out hunting much these days.

**Krusti** · 2nd October 2007, 07:21

Last beast we got done was about $1.20 per kg to do.

**riffer** · 2nd October 2007, 07:33

Stokes Valley Quality Meats offer this very service for hunters and lifestyle blockers.

Here's their number:

04 563 8891

**caesius** · 2nd October 2007, 07:33

Cheers, so @ 1.20 / kg, an average deer would be about $100 am I right?

**Goblin** · 2nd October 2007, 08:12

Great idea in theory but I know a few deer stalkers who dont always manage to see any deer let alone shoot any. If you want to do this as a money saving exercise you'd be better off just buying your meat at a butcher rather than the super market. I spend about $30 per week on meat at the butcher and that includes bacon and free range eggs.

A few years ago we had this huge hind hanging around our house. My son was busy playing in the sand pit when he looked up she was about 3 meters away from him and he turned white and ran inside. Well I didnt have a gun. If I did I would have got a clear head shot out my livingroom window! so I drove over to the neighbors and asked if he could come and shoot this deer for us. He got his gun ready and as we came back up the driveway the deer took off. We didnt get it that day but a few mornings later she was back so I phoned Trevor and this time he got a shot away but he sort of missed and blew its bottom jaw off and she took off into the pine trees. He got another shot that dropped it but it was a hell of a job to drag the carcass out of the trees to the ute. I dont remember the price for butchering but we ended up with 116 kilos of meat and sausages. She was a BIG hind! We went halves in the meat and Trevor paid for the butchering. God I miss my neighbors!!

So I reckon deer stalking is more of a sport/hobby than a need to provide food. Good luck in the flat. There are ways of living cheap if you have to.

**Colapop** · 2nd October 2007, 08:22

I suppose that's a point Goblin. Is there enough wildstock around to make it a worthwhile venture?

**Goblin** · 2nd October 2007, 08:32

Well I dont know for a fact but the hunters I have spoken to rarely shoot anything. Hunting is becoming more and more popular so that cant be good for the numbers.

Maybe go ask in the "Firearms" thread. Some of those fullas should know.

**deanohit** · 2nd October 2007, 08:42

Mate of mine back in Blenheim has some blocks he hunts in, going to a different block each weekend. ALWAYS comes back with some thing whether it's a fat pig, hind or spiker or even a young nanny goat (very tasty curried). It can be done, just don't hunt regularly in one spot. And anyway, how long do you think 100kg+ of meat will last, it' not like he'll be out every week or even month maybe.

**caesius** · 2nd October 2007, 08:56

Originally Posted by deanohit

Mate of mine back in Blenheim has some blocks he hunts in, going to a different block each weekend. ALWAYS comes back with some thing whether it's a fat pig, hind or spiker or even a young nanny goat (very tasty curried). It can be done, just don't hunt regularly in one spot. And anyway, how long do you think 100kg+ of meat will last, it' not like he'll be out every week or even month maybe.

As long as I can shoot it, and get it butchered, I'm game. Yeah I'm pretty sure I wouldn't have to go too regularly, as you say 100kg meat is a lot for even a few people to get through.

It ain't so much as a cost saving measure, I just like the idea of having a freezer full of my own meat.

Can't wait to get out of the hostel, buy a ute and start filling up the freezer! It's being done mark my words.

**Finn** · 2nd October 2007, 09:01

Originally Posted by caesius

Cheers, so @ 1.20 / kg, an average deer would be about $100 am I right?

If you're deep in the forrest, surely you would gut it first. This would reduce the weight quite a bit. Still to heavy... off with the head.

Ate some Elk the other night. Nice.

**Goblin** · 2nd October 2007, 09:09

Originally Posted by caesius

As long as I can shoot it, and get it butchered, I'm game. Yeah I'm pretty sure I wouldn't have to go too regularly, as you say 100kg meat is a lot for even a few people to get through.

It ain't so much as a cost saving measure, I just like the idea of having a freezer full of my own meat.

Yeah I'd love to shoot one myself too.

Looks like fun to me. Spose it depends on the area you live too. Around here there are hunters utes parked up everywhere and on any day of the week.

When you do start to fill ya freezer you might want to get other types of meat too as eating the same thing week after week can get a bit monotonous.

**riffer** · 2nd October 2007, 09:20

Originally Posted by Finn

If you're deep in the forrest, surely you would gut it first. This would reduce the weight quite a bit. Still to heavy... off with the head.

Ate some Elk the other night. Nice.

Exactly. And the taste of near raw venison back steaks lasts long after the agony of dragging the animal out of the forest is forgotten.