Over 2,800 licensed deer and wild game processors listed across all 50 states. Find a processor near you before hunting season — and book early.
The best processors fill up fast — especially during the first two weeks of rifle season. Contact your preferred processor before season opens and arrange drop-off procedures, pricing, and turnaround times.
Proper field dressing, cooling the carcass quickly, and keeping meat clean dramatically affects final quality. Ask your processor about their recommendations for field care in your region and climate.
Most game processors charge by the whole animal (flat rate) or by hanging weight. Standard deer processing runs $75–$175 depending on your location and services chosen. Custom sausage, jerky, and smoking add to the base cost.
Ask if your processor offers a custom cut sheet. This lets you specify roast sizes, steak thickness, amount of ground meat, and exactly how you want your animal broken down — getting the most value from your harvest.
Processors of certain species (bear, migratory game birds, some exotic species) may require specific state licenses or USDA compliance. Butcher Bud listings indicate which processors are licensed and inspected for different species.
Reviews from other hunters are the best way to find a reliable processor. Look for comments about turnaround time, whether animals were mixed up, cleanliness, and how well custom requests were handled.
Most processors recommend dropping off your deer within 24 hours of harvest, especially in warm weather. In cooler temperatures (below 40°F), a properly field-dressed deer can hang for 24–48 hours. When in doubt, get it to a processor or on ice as quickly as possible. Many processors offer walk-in cooler drop-off even after hours.
Standard deer processing usually includes skinning, quartering, deboning, trimming, grinding of scraps, and double-wrapped or vacuum-sealed packaging with labeled cuts. Custom options like sausage, jerky, snack sticks, smoking, or roast tying are typically add-ons priced per pound.
Yes, most can — but some states have regulations around bringing in certain whole carcasses (especially deer, due to Chronic Wasting Disease regulations). Check your destination state's wildlife agency rules before transporting. Processors can often advise you on what parts can and cannot cross state lines.
Reputable processors use a tagging system to keep your animal separate throughout processing. When you drop off, ask how they tag and track animals. Custom-exempt processors process one animal at a time for each owner. Read reviews specifically mentioning whether reviewers got their own meat back — this is the most reliable indicator.
