Game processing in Whatcom County

[Heetor]

Hey guys I have been looking around for a game processor close to home, but the closest one I have found is down in Silvana.  Anybody have a recommendation for someone a little closer to Bellingham?   

[6x6in6]

Did you harvest a deer or are you counting your chickens first? 

I do not know of one here in the County.  Someone may chime in though.
Del Fox in Stanwood or the one in Silvana, Silvana Meats I think are your closest.

If you do find one here in the County that did you well, add them here:
http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,81993.0.html

[blacktailer]

Todd Crabtree in Custer does a lot of processing, sausage, jerky, etc...   I like the jobe he's done for me..

[pips4bucks]

Todd Crabtree in Custer does a lot of processing, sausage, jerky, etc...   I like the jobe he's done for me..

  I've got his phone number if ya want it.  PM me.

[alecvg]

Crabtree is the best I have used, although I am not a big fan of his jerky, everything else is great though!

[CoyoteCowboy]

make the trek to Silvana Meats. their jalapeno pepperoni is top notch. took my deer to them last year. quick and decent $.

[NWWA Hunter]

I've heard amazing reports from a lot of people about the sylvana company and del fox. Also Sumas meats in abotsford does good work for a reasonable price. Crabtrees meats taste good but I have heard of people getting overcharged, more/ less meat than they brought and a few guys swear that he gets so busy you don't even know if it's your meat coming back. I've tasted his meats and thier great but after the stories from close friends I'm a little scared to take it there. My elk this year will probably go to del fox to try him out.

[deadwoodbuck]

half the fun of hand-harvesting the free-range organically feed animal is processing the meat...which I do myself.  I get what I want how I want it...so why not do it yourself so you know that all of your animal was processed.  the price is right also...there are many references out there for processing meat.

[JackOfAllTrades]

I wouldn't take a banti rooster to Del Fox...  I have used them several times. I suspect I seldom got my same meat back or all of it. Turnaround time is poor. Prices weren't good.  I'm not bashing.. That has been my experience with them.

SUMAS MEATS in Chilliwack is without a doubt the best in the northwest. Prices are great. Turnaround is great. German butcher with old school tast for Whimpies, pep and sausage. Old guy that's probably passing the business off to his sons as he retires. They get a little busy right around hunting season as they also butcher a lot of beef at the same time. Timing is everything, but he'll work with ya.

It is not difficult to take Venison across the boarder for processing.  (BEAR is a different story, but can be done)

-Steve

[Heetor]

Yes I was counting my chickens before they hatched when I posted this question on Friday, but I must have knocked on enough wood as I got my buck when I went out Saturday

I took him up to Todd Crabtree's place in Custer on Monday afternoon, really nice guy!  I brought my 3 year old daughter up with me for the drive, and he let her play with his puppies and try some smoked fish that he had just pulled out, (he actually gave her one when he found out she liked it)   He said he would have the deer done by friday unless I wanted him to hang it, now that is something you usually don't hear...

I haven't tried his meat yet, other than his fish, but so far I would really recommend the guy.  Thanks for the reference!  He also told me no problem on posting his number, you can reach him at 360-366-7450 (I'll also post it in the processing section).

[rideorange]

if i remember it was todd that i camped next too deer hunting for several years, typically he would supply me with lunch of some item he had processed, from alaska to wisconson that guy can cure meat with the best, ill be keeping the # as i lost it before. got the impression a very stand up and honest guy

[calawahsteelie]

I always do my own. But when I was younger and a apt dweller I used Columbia Valley Meats on the Frost rd. Head up the South Pass road out of Everson. Gertie does a good job on the breakfast sausage. I still get my seasoning from her but I now grind my own. They are good people.

[Thrasher]

Sumas Meats? Really?

I was going there for years until they point blank told me that they mix meats. What you get back is NOT just yours at times. If it's deer burger, they grind a huge batch and then they distribute it accordingly. Well, after seeing what some of the game looked like when it came in from novice game cleaners, that was my last time ever taking it across the border.

Todd Crabtree is BY FAR the best person in the area...hands down. Spend some time talking to him as well, heck of a nice guy.