No Profanity *** No Flaming *** No Advertising *** No Anti Trappers ***NO POLITICS
No Non-Target Catches *** No Links to Anti-trapping Sites *** No Avoiding Profanity Filter


Home~Trap Talk~ADC Forum~Trap Shed~Wilderness Trapping~International Trappers~Fur Handling

Auction Forum~Trapper Tips~Links~Gallery~Basic Sets~Convention Calendar~Chat~ Trap Collecting Forum ~ Live Chat

Trapper's Humor~Strictly Trapping~Fur Buyers Directory~Mugshots~Fur Sale Directory~Wildcrafting~The Pen and Quill

Trapper's Tales~Words From The Past~Legends~Archives~Kids Forum~Lure Formulators Forum~ Fermenter's Forum


~~~ Dobbins' Products Catalog ~~~


Minnesota Trapline Products
Please support our sponsor for the Trappers Talk Page - Minnesota Trapline Products


Joe Goodman Prints
Please support Joe Goodman because he supports us with donations

Print Thread
Hop To
Page 2 of 2 1 2
Re: How much of the deer do you process? [Re: bowhunter27295] #8529578
12/23/25 10:25 AM
12/23/25 10:25 AM
Joined: Dec 2006
MN, Land of 10,000 Lakes
T
Trapper7 Offline
trapper
Trapper7  Offline
trapper
T

Joined: Dec 2006
MN, Land of 10,000 Lakes
We bone out the deer. The fat and bloodshot meat is saved for the birds. I save the rib cages for the birds too. They pick them clean. We grind a lot of the boned out meat and make various types of sausages. My favorite is a mettwurst we make. We save the heart and liver for the birds. I hate liver of any kind and heart tastes similar. My wife makes a great stroganoff with the ground venison. It makes a great chili too.


Got a gift from my brother. It was 3 AA batteries with a note that said, Gift Not Included.
Re: How much of the deer do you process? [Re: bowhunter27295] #8529586
12/23/25 10:50 AM
12/23/25 10:50 AM
Joined: Dec 2012
NC - Here there and everywhere
C
coondagger2 Offline
"Brat"
coondagger2  Offline
"Brat"
C

Joined: Dec 2012
NC - Here there and everywhere
Bowhunter29563475849, put that big neck roast in the crock pot. That's my favorite roast on a deer. I guess it's the added flavor from all of the bone stock you get cooking it down. My mouth is watering thinking about it!

You won't trim another one after trying that


Gotta live up to the nickname...
Re: How much of the deer do you process? [Re: bowhunter27295] #8529597
12/23/25 11:20 AM
12/23/25 11:20 AM
Joined: May 2011
Montana
B
beartooth trapr Offline
trapper
beartooth trapr  Offline
trapper
B

Joined: May 2011
Montana
Them horns make good dog chews


Let me sugar coat this
Re: How much of the deer do you process? [Re: danny clifton] #8529617
12/23/25 12:01 PM
12/23/25 12:01 PM
Joined: Sep 2008
NC
B
bowhunter27295 Offline OP
trapper
bowhunter27295  Offline OP
trapper
B

Joined: Sep 2008
NC
Originally Posted by danny clifton
How much does the liver shrink up when you salt pieces for bait? do you freeze it then wait for warmer weather to let it turn to jerky?


I shrinks up as much as meat does when made into jerky. Definitely gets tougher though. Cut into 1/4 inch thick slices.

If it's cold I put it in the oven on 200 for a few hours. I keep a check on it to not over do it. Otherwise it goes out in the sun.


How many lies will people believe before they realize their own idiocy?
Re: How much of the deer do you process? [Re: k snow] #8529618
12/23/25 12:03 PM
12/23/25 12:03 PM
Joined: Sep 2008
NC
B
bowhunter27295 Offline OP
trapper
bowhunter27295  Offline OP
trapper
B

Joined: Sep 2008
NC
Originally Posted by k snow
We grind everything except for the backstraps, loins and flank steaks. Neck gets trimmed for grinding as good as I can. We don't cut any bones any more.

Heart gets eaten by us, liver gets dehydrated for dog treats.

Hide gets turned into rawhide, eventually tanned.

Feet/legs below knees get skinned and tanned.

Some leg bones get turned into knife handles.

Leg sinew gets dried and saved.



I would love to see how you harvest the sinew.

Why skin and tan the legs?


How many lies will people believe before they realize their own idiocy?
Re: How much of the deer do you process? [Re: AJE] #8529619
12/23/25 12:06 PM
12/23/25 12:06 PM
Joined: Sep 2008
NC
B
bowhunter27295 Offline OP
trapper
bowhunter27295  Offline OP
trapper
B

Joined: Sep 2008
NC
Originally Posted by AJE
Originally Posted by bowhunter27295
So as the years have went by, I continue to see lots of uses of deer meat and body parts that I have incorporated to my processing skills.

Here is what I keep on the primal end.

2 hams
2 shoulders
2 top loins
2 tenderloins
Liver
Heart
All rib meat
All neck meat

Here is what I do on the processing end.

All meat is either cut into meal size portions or ground or cut into stew meat or canned.
I mainly use the neck meat as stew meat.
The last deer that are taken are turned into highly prized jerky that takes way too much time for how fast it is consumed.
All scraps cut off the meat are dog food. (silver skin, bloody meat, fat). I freezer them in gallon zip loc bags half full. Saves me on dog food and adds "gravy" to store bought dry food in their bowls.
Bones are either given to the dogs uncooked or my daughter uses them for collagen bone broth. She is now using the front shanks for her broth.
The dogs get the cleaned ribs and the spinal column. Yes my dogs are very "healthy" this time of year.
The liver is either frozen to eat later or used for dog food in smaller portions or cut up and salted as catfish bait. Lemme tell you, salted deer liver is one awesome catfish bait and it's tough enough to be used for multiple catches. Just give it a good salting and set out in the sun and make liver jerky for the catfish. You won't be sorry!!!

I don't use the brain or the hide as that is seen to me as WAY TOO MUCH work.
Even got to where I don't care about the antlers unless I am gonna mount it. Get thrown out with the hide and guts.

What else do y'all do besides what I have mentioned? I like to use as much of the deer as possible.





Good post, thanks.

What do you do w/ the rib meat? I try to grind some rib meat, but it's tough to get much off the ribs.

I agree wholeheartedly with your stew meat.

I turn in the hides. A number of places around here love accepting deer hides, and most offer something in exchange.

The tail can be used for fly tying.

The carcass can make bobcat bait.

Some save urine for deer lure.

I've seen people use the tail to add to the rear end of their decoy to make it more life-like.

I donate the head b/c our state wants them for testing.

The Marshfield Clinic wants people in Wi to turn in wood ticks from their deer as part of an extensive study they are doing on ticks.


I run a knife against the inside of each rib and get the meat from between. I use it for grind.


How many lies will people believe before they realize their own idiocy?
Re: How much of the deer do you process? [Re: bowhunter27295] #8529620
12/23/25 12:07 PM
12/23/25 12:07 PM
Joined: Oct 2009
east central WI
K
k snow Offline
trapper
k snow  Offline
trapper
K

Joined: Oct 2009
east central WI
Originally Posted by bowhunter27295
Originally Posted by k snow
We grind everything except for the backstraps, loins and flank steaks. Neck gets trimmed for grinding as good as I can. We don't cut any bones any more.

Heart gets eaten by us, liver gets dehydrated for dog treats.

Hide gets turned into rawhide, eventually tanned.

Feet/legs below knees get skinned and tanned.

Some leg bones get turned into knife handles.

Leg sinew gets dried and saved.



I would love to see how you harvest the sinew.

Why skin and tan the legs?


After the legs are cut off at the knee, I split the hide down the front of the leg. Skin down to the hooves, and cut the hide off, leaving the dewclaws attached.
The sinew is on the back side of the bone, in a channel. Pry/work it loose in the center, then towards each end. Cut it off at the knee and ankle, usually its 8 to 10 inches or so long.
Peel the outer sheath off, then let the pieces air dry.

The legs are used for Germanic style hunting pouches.
This is a random example off the 'net.
[Linked Image]

Re: How much of the deer do you process? [Re: Providence Farm] #8529668
12/23/25 02:38 PM
12/23/25 02:38 PM
Joined: Dec 2006
St. Louis Co, Mo
B
BigBob Offline
trapper
BigBob  Offline
trapper
B

Joined: Dec 2006
St. Louis Co, Mo
Originally Posted by Providence Farm
If we dont eat the liver I slice it on the slicer and put it in the dehydrator run it like jerky for dog training treats.

Typically use every but head hide, and bones. All scraps and trillion are saved for the dogs.

What is Trillion? Can't find anything usefull when I Google it.


Every kid needs a Dog and a Curmudgeon.

Remember Bowe Bergdahl, the traitor.

Beware! Jill Pudlewski, Ron Oates and Keven Begesse are liars and thiefs!
Re: How much of the deer do you process? [Re: bowhunter27295] #8529702
12/23/25 03:52 PM
12/23/25 03:52 PM
Joined: Dec 2009
The Hill Country of Texas
Leftlane Offline
"HOSS"
Leftlane  Offline
"HOSS"

Joined: Dec 2009
The Hill Country of Texas
I have never figured out how to get all the neck meat deboned!


What"s good for me may not be good for the weak minded.
Captain Gus McCrae- Texas Rangers


Re: How much of the deer do you process? [Re: Leftlane] #8529712
12/23/25 04:13 PM
12/23/25 04:13 PM
Joined: Aug 2012
Blackduck Minnesota
B
Big Sam Offline
trapper
Big Sam  Offline
trapper
B

Joined: Aug 2012
Blackduck Minnesota
Originally Posted by Leftlane
I have never figured out how to get all the neck meat deboned!

We use the neck for roasts, then it just falls off.

Re: How much of the deer do you process? [Re: bowhunter27295] #8529724
12/23/25 04:37 PM
12/23/25 04:37 PM
Joined: Jan 2007
NY
R
Rat_Pack Offline
trapper
Rat_Pack  Offline
trapper
R

Joined: Jan 2007
NY
We debone the neck roast. Roll it up and tie with butchers string. It takes some time, but it's very good slow roasted, especially if it is done with stuffing. Like a bid braciole

Re: How much of the deer do you process? [Re: bowhunter27295] #8529727
12/23/25 04:40 PM
12/23/25 04:40 PM
Joined: Apr 2025
NY
B
Bob Luderman Offline
trapper
Bob Luderman  Offline
trapper
B

Joined: Apr 2025
NY
I take the liver and slice it thin then soak it in milk in the fridge over-nite
i take it out of the milk dredge it in seasoned flour then an egg then into Italian bread crumbs mixed with Romono cheese and fry in Bacon grease

Re: How much of the deer do you process? [Re: Rat_Pack] #8530594
Yesterday at 06:24 PM
Yesterday at 06:24 PM
Joined: Apr 2012
new york
M
mike mason Offline
trapper
mike mason  Offline
trapper
M

Joined: Apr 2012
new york
Originally Posted by Rat_Pack
We debone the neck roast. Roll it up and tie with butchers string. It takes some time, but it's very good slow roasted, especially if it is done with stuffing. Like a bid braciole

This is the way my mom cooked the neck, good tasting roast.

Re: How much of the deer do you process? [Re: bowhunter27295] #8530617
Yesterday at 06:57 PM
Yesterday at 06:57 PM
Joined: Apr 2009
NC
Buzzard Offline
trapper
Buzzard  Offline
trapper

Joined: Apr 2009
NC
All of it, the heart I safe for catfish bait

Re: How much of the deer do you process? [Re: bowhunter27295] #8530624
Yesterday at 07:09 PM
Yesterday at 07:09 PM
Joined: Dec 2006
williamsburg ks
D
danny clifton Offline
"Grumpy Old Man"
danny clifton  Offline
"Grumpy Old Man"
D

Joined: Dec 2006
williamsburg ks
I think heart is delicious. Not a fan of deer liver. Would like some details on salting and drying liver for fish bait.


Those who would give up essential liberty, to purchase a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety. Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790)
Re: How much of the deer do you process? [Re: danny clifton] #8530724
Yesterday at 09:07 PM
Yesterday at 09:07 PM
Joined: Feb 2015
Iowa
T
trapdog1 Offline
trapper
trapdog1  Offline
trapper
T

Joined: Feb 2015
Iowa
Originally Posted by danny clifton
I think heart is delicious. Not a fan of deer liver. Would like some details on salting and drying liver for fish bait.

Same here!

Re: How much of the deer do you process? [Re: bowhunter27295] #8530735
Yesterday at 09:17 PM
Yesterday at 09:17 PM
Joined: Jan 2008
Alaska and Washington State
W
waggler Offline
trapper
waggler  Offline
trapper
W

Joined: Jan 2008
Alaska and Washington State
All of it, rib meat, etc..

One of the most common game violations written up by troopers in Alaska is to out-of-staters for "wanton waste". The excuse that "they don't make us save rib meat in Wisconsin" or wherever, doesn't get you any sympathy.

This subject always brings to mind Proverbs 12:27
"Lazy people don't even cook the game they catch, but the diligent make use of all of it".


"My life is better than your vacation"
Page 2 of 2 1 2
Previous Thread
Index
Next Thread