USA raw feeders--don't forget deer season!

[ruthcatrin]

For those of us in the USA, don't forget that fall deer season has either started or is about to start (depending on where you are).

Now's the time to put up craigslist ads that you'll take freezerburnt meat, because its not unusual for the regular hunters to have meat thats been sitting in the freezer for forever that they're now wanting to get rid of to make space for this year's harvest!

Now's the time to look up your local deer processors and see what sort of deals you can make for "left overs" and "scraps"!

I just picked up over 50 pounds (!) of venison from a group of hunters who were thrilled to clean out their freezers before they head out to hunt this year. FREE except for my time and gas for my car to go and pick it up. I'm sure there's others out there just like them across the country.

 

[QY10]

Canada, too! Looking forward to it. Nothing beats cheap/free dog food.

 

[ruthcatrin]

Totally!

 

[NYDDB]

Ruth, I will try again, but every year, i strike out. I even joined 2 hunting forums online to try my luck there...but, nothing. Also, with CL, no matter how many times I post.

It's very discouraging-- especially when I hear all the time of people getting all this free meat...

And I'd really like Mateo to taste some venison at some point (but to buy it is, as you probably know, is expensive.)

 

[QY10]

Our downstairs tenant is actually a hunter, so I have put in my requests with him, but will definitely be searching for good deals elsewhere, too. He even said that I could have any antlers he gets for the dogs.

 

[ruthcatrin]

NYDDB, have you tried offering "to pay for the amunition, you keep the trophy I'll take the meat"? Here almost everyone hunts for the meat, but I know some folks have had luck that way.....

 

[ruthcatrin]

Our downstairs tenant is actually a hunter, so I have put in my requests with him, but will definitely be searching for good deals elsewhere, too. He even said that I could have any antlers he gets for the dogs.

My FIL hunts, but the family usually eats it all lol. NY state just legalized crossbow hunting, so we may end up doing some hunting in our back yard next year.....

 

[QY10]

Ruth, I will try again, but every year, i strike out. I even joined 2 hunting forums online to try my luck there...but, nothing. Also, with CL, no matter how many times I post.

It's very discouraging-- especially when I hear all the time of people getting all this free meat...

And I'd really like Mateo to taste some venison at some point (but to buy it is, as you probably know, is expensive.)

There is a FB and Yahoo group called Carnivore Feed Suppliers (CFS). They have some pretty good info re: getting cheap/free meat for pets. Most of the members seem to be in the US, too.

 

[NYDDB]

NYDDB, have you tried offering "to pay for the amunition, you keep the trophy I'll take the meat"? Here almost everyone hunts for the meat, but I know some folks have had luck that way.....

That's another way to put it- I can try.

Thanks.

 

[QY10]

My FIL hunts, but the family usually eats it all lol. NY state just legalized crossbow hunting, so we may end up doing some hunting in our back yard next year.....

Nice! I would love to try hunting. Still need to get my damn firearms license though.

 

[Hector]

There's a lot of hunters at my work. Time to spread the word. Let's see what I can get this year.

 

[ruthcatrin]

That's another way to put it- I can try.

Thanks.

I'll warn you that doing it that way you'll have to pay processing (butchering) fees. Which can vary. I'd suggest having them drop the deer off at their prefered processor and arrange for you to pick up the meat when its ready. But its still cheaper than buying it!

 

[NYDDB]

I'll warn you that doing it that way you'll have to pay processing (butchering) fees. Which can vary. I'd suggest having them drop the deer off at their prefered processor and arrange for you to pick up the meat when its ready. But its still cheaper than buying it!

Good tip. Also, I would be happy with what most would consider "scraps"- organs, heart, stuff like that. Things that would normally be thrown away.

 

[ruthcatrin]

Thats where contacting the processors directly comes in handy! Though I know my FIL and his hunting buddies usually eat the liver themselves (I asked lol).

 

[NYDDB]

Thats where contacting the processors directly comes in handy! Though I know my FIL and his hunting buddies usually eat the liver themselves (I asked lol).

On my "to do" list then...

Also, I am a beef/calf liver lover, so I may be tempted myself.

 

[QY10]

Okay, so here is what I did and it's working BEAUTIFULLY...

Facebook apparently has a lot of groups dedicated to hunters here in BC, so I joined them all and posted my little spiel about raw feeding and how I am looking for freezer burnt meat or for parts that people don't typically use and would throw away...

I am getting messages left, right and centre from local people wanting to empty their freezers, offering me racks of moose ribs, offering me deer and moose roasts that their families don't like, last years frozen ducks etc... It is honestly incredible.

Moral of the story is CHECK LOCAL HUNTING FACEBOOK GROUPS.

 

[NYDDB]

Thanks for the idea, QY10!

Although I doubt I will find much moose around here, LOL.

 

[QY10]

Thanks for the idea, QY10!

Although I doubt I will find much moose around here, LOL.

No problem! Hopefully you have some success, even if you don't find any moose!

 

[QY10]

Another suggestion for people looking to cut the costs of feeding raw that I JUST discovered...

Look up meat cutters/wild game cutters and give 'em a call!

Its illegal to sell wild game (at least it is here in BC), so everything is free.

I contacted a meat cutter and he said that I am welcome to come with my own bags/rubbermaid bins or whatever I can use to transport and take whatever bones and scrap meat that I want. He said that it is all stuff that would typically get thrown away.

Some of the types of meats that he cuts are; deer, moose, elk, beef, buffalo etc... so there should be a good variety for the dogs.

I just love that it is all FREE.