Wild game processing, back to basics.
Processing wild game for hunters to feed their families is truly bringing the butcher craft back to the basics. That being said it doesn’t mean the end result has to be basic. This year I had the honor of butchering wild game for some amazing hunters. When I say this is an honor I mean it. This honors the animal by using it to sustain the hunter’s family. It honors the hunter with the end result of their hard work. And finally it honors the butcher craft bringing it back to basics and beyond.
Nevada Big Horn Sheep Processing
Photo by Levi Beckstead
This season was remarkable for many of the hunters in the Southwest filling tags, freezers with meat for their families and friends and creating lifelong memories. I butchered many elk both bull and cow as well as deer, buck and doe. I had the great experience of connecting with a couple hunters from Northern Utah who were able to fill Moose tags. These legendary animals are one most people will only dream of seeing in real life and are a bucket list experience for most hunters. It is also a rarity for a butcher to be able to process such an amazing animal. The opportunities to serve the hunters of the area kept coming in throughout the season next with a call to process a buffalo. For those who may not have ever tried buffalo they are a delicious protein dense healthy meat which provides massive amounts of food for the hunter and their family.
I especially enjoyed getting to work with Ben Dettamanti from Shed Crazy and his brother Rocky. These hunters harvested some epic elk and deer throughout the season. They had what I would consider a great hunting season and I was lucky to be able to work with them to help process their animals. They filled their freezers and shared the blessings helping fill the freezers of friends as well. This is truly what hunting and wild game processing is all about.
Finally came the call I had hoped for. Earlier in the season I had connected with the guys from “Mountain Rat” (Levi, Jesse and Lee) who had drawn a once in a lifetime Nevada desert big horn sheep tag. They called with the news everyone had hoped for, they filled their tag, harvesting a beautiful big horn sheep and I got the honor of processing it for them.
The best part about wild game processing is its a privilege to get to work with people who want to enjoy the outdoor and show respect to the animals they harvest. By doing this they are providing the most organically healthy meat they can for themselves and their families. I look forward to many great years ahead of supporting this craft and the hunters.
