Going Rate for Deer Processing

[Hunter24113]

I recently harvested my first deer, gutted it, and took it to a processor.  I left the hide on because I was nervous that it was a bit warm and didn't want to risk spoilage.
The vacuum-sealed packages I received back were very professional and the meat looks great.  I'll put some of the context below, but the price I paid was quite a bit higher than I'd figured on.
What do you guys figure is a reasonable price for butchering?
Tri-Cities area
Mule deer
121 lbs, gutted, beheaded, but with bones in and hide on
The box and vacuum-sealed packages weighed exactly 79 lbs., (10% beef fat added to the ground)
Thanks

[Stein]

Silvana Meats is $0.95 a pound cut and wrap, minimum $95.  I have never used them or any other processor, but there's a data point for you.

[Karl Blanchard]

I process all my own meat so can't touch on what it costs to process but just an FYI, if it's warm out you want to REMOVE the hide not leave it on. That hide traps in a lot of heat and is far worse on meat than ambient air temp. Congrats on the first deer by the way 

[KP-Skagit]

 

I also process my own meat so can't speak to cost. That said you pay for everything you don't do yourself.

[Longfield1]

Also butchered my own. My brother paid 290 for his doe but got lots of pepperoni jerky and steaks at a butcher shop in issaquah.

[Remnar]

I cut my own also . But some friends went to Idaho this year and with high temps didnt want to mess with doing it their selves so took it in . Of course it had to be cut up by the time they left to go home so that cost extra . They ended up paying $2 a pound to have it done . Basic steaks and burger . But they knew the cost going in and were fine with it .

Did you not ask the price before hand? Or did they charge more than they quoted you ?

 I would guess the cost around $200

[buckfvr]

I imagine you got charged for skinning and cleaning it on top of cut and wrap.  A doe probably put you in the minimum charge category so you paid more there. My guess is the 79lbs includes bone and fat that you wont eat.  Ive only ever had one deer done that was a great job, boned out and all because we didnt have time to do it ourselves.  Aside for the exception, its best to do your own.

[Magnum_Willys]

I always do my own so its done perfect.  But son had his elk done recently $.95/lb brought in boned and very cleaned Elk meat was less than $100 cut and ground. 

You will  cut cost in half by using gutless method and boning meat - leave all the bones in the field and clean excess fat, sinew, bloody meat off.    Of course if there is a minimum charge that won't save you with a deer, might with an elk.

[HntnFsh]

Vacuum seal cost extra also.

[Basinguy]

I have never taken in an animal, but every time I'm done doing an animal (brats, breakfast sausage links, burger, steaks, chicken fried steaks, roast, strips, chunks, taco sliced you name it) I always say "next time I'm gonna take it in". Then the next time comes around and I look at their prices, and say "naw I got this." vicious cycle.

FYI - The last time this cycle happened was Saturday with my sons deer, and it's gonna happen again this weekend because my other son is up to bat this time so I guess it's not that bad.

Have fun and start buying gear, one thing at a time.

[IslandHunter]

I highly recommend doing it yourself. Lots of factors in price, you get what you pay for in most cases.

Its very intimidating at first, but then once you realize as long as you don't let the meat spoil, you can't really mess anything up. On the first one some steaks looked nicer than others, lots of trim that could have went into the grinder went to the dogs instead. Now that my wife and I have a few under our belt we are much faster and enjoy being able to decide what we want to do with the cuts as we are cutting it up. Last year we did a rack of ribs and tomahawk steaks, next year we want to try bone in shanks.

[Remnar]

I always do my own so its done perfect.  But son had his elk done recently $.95/lb brought in boned and very cleaned Elk meat was less than $100 cut and ground. 

You will  cut cost in half by using gutless method and boning meat - leave all the bones in the field and clean excess fat, sinew, bloody meat off.    Of course if there is a minimum charge that won't save you with a deer, might with an elk.

Once youve done all that the hard part is over

[GWP]

I refuse to take one in. One of the reasons I stopped hunting fur. They are a fair amount of work to process, and the wife said she would not help any more. While I do think she would probably help if it came down to it.

Funny side note:
Last one she helped with she was cutting up and wrapping portions while I separated and handed her parts.
I turned around and saw her writing her name on ALL the tenderloin and back strap packages. I asked what that was about and she said, "These are all mine. You get the rest."
You have to pay for the good job one way or another!
She did share though.

[huntnfmly]

I’m going to learn how to process our own
Last time I took both my daughters mule deer in to mt view meats who have done several of ours and does great work
After they got all their jerky and pepperoni sticks along with the standard burger and steaks it was $675+ ouch

[Ridgeratt]

After they got all their jerky and pepperoni sticks along with the standard burger and steaks it was $675+ ouch

Here's a large part of your cost. Ask what they charge for this. It's pretty easy to do that yourself.