Had a deer butchering party at JRW's

Bulzeye · 11-11-2007, 07:56 PM

Steve (Bowman)and I got the call from Jason (JRW) this morning that he was on his way home from a Wisconsin hunt with a 6 point buck that needed some cutting. We were invited to come and help out, and hopefully learn a tip or two.

I've been wanting to learn to butcher my own deer for years, and last January Jason helped me cut up a doe I got on the last day of the last gun season. We were up late since I got there in the evening, and had lots to talk about while we were getting the work done. This time, I was able to help more, and I surprised myself with how much I remembered from last time.

Thanks Jason for inviting me up. I just love this stuff.
It's always good to get together with a couple of hunting buddies and smell fresh venison while swapping stories.

(I just hope he doesn't notice I swiped his tenderloins.

)

Bulzeye · 11-11-2007, 08:14 PM

I brought my daughter and pooch along too since I was away from home with them when I got the call. She's seen dead deer before, and even the gutting, butthiswas the firsttime my girl got to see one butchered and see where the meat comes from.

She's not squeamish about it at all. I'd like to think that it's partly because of how I've introduced her to it when she was young. First at4 years old,and now at 5. I can't wait to get her out in the woods with me.

My next deer will be butchered at my house, and my girl wants to help package the meat after it's cut up. This is one happy Daddy right here.

JRW · 11-11-2007, 08:32 PM

Chris,

It was my pleasure having Steve, you and your daughter along. The pooch behaved great too, and didn't try to swipe a snack for himself. My dog would have been all over that deer like a hobo on a bologna sandwich.

Bulzeye · 11-11-2007, 09:51 PM

I was surprised my dog didn't try for any scraps at least. I know he likes venison. He's pretty well trained, and he wasvery tired from spending the better part of the last 24 hours at my parents' place chasing squirrels and birds away from their 10 feeders and 2 birdbaths.

He'd come back in the house and pant for 15 minutes... just like Steve was doing over that table full of georgeous steaks and roasts you piled up today.

bowman15 · 11-12-2007, 04:15 AM

That was cool seeing it done by someone that knows what they're doing. Like I had said, the first deer I got I tried to butcher myself, and the clown that was 'showing' medidn't know much more than I. Plus, that'll save me a few bucks for sure. I like knowing that I'm getting all MY deer,ONLY my deer and the cuts I like.

I can't wait till I can do my own now.That's a great way to spend an evening; good conversation (I'm still laughing about the story about the guy and the mouse) and great company.

I think I better eat before next time tho. All that red-meat just had me STARVING by the time I left. Vegans have NO IDEA what they're missing!

fishpoint · 11-12-2007, 06:07 PM

Reminds me of the first deer I shot and tried to butcher. My technique was to grab a handful of meat and cut!

Good going guys.

bowman15 · 11-12-2007, 08:09 PM

Quote:

ORIGINAL: fishpoint

Reminds me of the first deer I shot and tried to butcher. My technique was to grab a handful of meat and cut!

Good going guys.

Yep, that's pretty much what I did with my first. Jason has a much better way.

Bulzeye · 11-13-2007, 09:09 PM

Quote:

Jason has a much better way.

Agreed.
It's remarkable just how simple it is once you knowhow to attack it, and what cuts of meat come from which parts of the deer.

Anyone who has a place to hang a deer can do a good job with a little quality guidance and a very sharp knife. I'm so glad we have each other as resources for this stuff.