I have to help butcher a deer

Posted By: Adam 2 Comments

Every year, my father in law goes hunting for wabbits deer. He's hunts during both bow and rifle seasons, and in more recent years, has pretty reliably gotten at least one or two deer, if not more. We've always been happy benefactors to that fact, taking whatever venison they are willing to give up. It doesn't get any fresher, either. He and my mother in law butcher their own, because the professional butchers he's tried have taken too long (I remember hearing one story about the meat spoiling! Ew!), and can be expensive.

This year, they've informed us that we get to help with the butchering if we want a cut (pun intended) of the meat. That's certainly fair and you won't hear me complaining, but I'm just not sure if I can do it.

I am 110% willing to try… It's something I would like to say I've done. It would make me feel more self sufficient and capable… and yes, probably slightly more macho too.

But let's face facts, here. I can't watch the surgery channel without getting squeamish. The same goes for fictional characters in movies getting cut up or going under the knife — especially with todays special effects. The more real it looks, the more it makes me squirm.

So I've promised to try, and try I will. But I'm sure that they don't want me in there vomiting, so if it comes to that I may have to excuse myself. I don't plan on bringing the camera in to that session, either.

Hunting season starts in September!

2 responses to “I have to help butcher a deer”

  1. I know what you mean. I felt the same way before the first time I 'helped' butcher a deer. Never mind that I used to watch my great-grandad kill and clean wabbits when I was a little kid. I don't watch surgery tv and cringe at some of the quasi-realistic stuff on tv. I don't watch slasher movies (but a good horror is fine) for mostly the same reason.

    I remember when I first started my current job and spent lots of time in a chicken processing plant. I wasn't squeamish but I could give myself the creeps thinking about what was going on. Mostly I got desensitized and rarely ever think about it anymore. I also don't remember ever having any problems cleaning the fish I caught.

    I guess in our society so much of what it takes to bring food to the table is hidden away so it's easy for people to forget about slaughterhouses, but butchering a deer is essentially the same thing - it's preparing food for the table.

    I think anyone that hasn't had the experience would feel trepidation so you're experiencing normal feelings. After a couple of times it won't seem like such a big deal.

    So far I'm still in the camp where dear meat has always been dry and chewy. If you know some secrets for bringing moist and tasty deer to the table then think of me sometime when you're planning a deer dinner.

    GranDad

    GranDad ~ Jun 29, 2009 at 8:26 AM

  2. You are commendable for just giving it a go knowing how squeamish the thought makes you :)

    Good luck, and be sure to update us when the time comes!

    MomT

    MomT ~ Jun 29, 2009 at 8:59 AM

Leave this field empty: