RE: Average amount of meat after processing?
WV...LMAO our deer are bigger in body size so yes it will transfer to more meat but the ratio stay pretty much the same.
Coolbreeze there isn't a fool proof method other than weighing each animal in each stage and you'll still find differences. The 1/3 is a rough guess but by no means a true indicator, factors such as shot damage, condition of the animal(ie: fat content, development of muscles, etc) all play a role. But the average deer is made up of 2/3rds waste when you factor in guts, hide, fat & bones. Beef are about 1/4 usage only domestic pigs yield higher than a wild animal in usable meat vs live weight. When you put in perspective the amount of meat you get out of a deer is pretty effecient compared to domestic forms...just shear body mass is indicative to low haul. Take a 900 lbs moose your looking at 300 plus lbs of meat, vs a 900 steer where you'll end up with about 200 lbs. I am talking about boned out, trimmed meat here....that steak with the thick piece of fat isn't 16oz of solid meat...catch my drift.