What prompted you to learn to process your own Big Game VS the Butcher?

[DOUBLELUNG]

Combination of money and wanting to know how.  Killed my first solo, then asked an experienced friend to help - we were both making $671.32/mo take home, and my offer to spring $2.99 for a 12-pack of Schaefer cans was too sweet to resist.  Rent was $335, and that remaining $336.32 was stretched across tags, gas, potatoes, coffee and beer.  Sometimes all that was left near the end of the month was game meat, coffee and potatoes.

[Jarhead Chase]

I didn't grow up in a hunting family. I butchered my first solo deer this year (I'm 30), and I feel like I earned it a lot more. I've shot deer in other states, and had butchers do my work, with very little complaint. My hamburger was much more gamey than I would have liked, but the steaks and sausage were amazing. I will say that I like having my meat that day as well. I waited 2 months for my butcher to ship my meat from TX. I have a venison roast in the crock pot right now that I shot the day after Thanksgiving. Just my $.02.

[dscubame]

The hassle of the butcher experience.  Always looking to simplify and just operate daily life easier and more efficient in general.  Deer is done in a quick couple to few hours, in the freezer, and cleaned up; elk in a short afternoon.