07/31/2026
Hello all! Thank you to so many for the support last year! We’re looking forward to the next four months of successful stories.
WILD GAME PROCESSING:
August 1st is upon us folks!! Meaning early cow season is here. The meat locker is on and running cold at 37. We’ve expanded this year and we’re ready to roll!
As we’re getting some calls inquiring I just wanted to spread the word here - Forgive the long post but it saves me from longer phone calls in the coming months. The meat locker will be open tomorrow and we’ll be cutting as soon as they’re aged.
www.applegrovetaxidermy.com
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FAQ on our services:
We offer deer, elk and moose processing for flat rate processing in addition to all taxidermy services. No bears. Wild game ONLY. No domestic cutting or storing.
Q - What does the flat rate cover?
A - We do a ‘flat rate’ for all processing services to keep it simple. It covers intake with your custom cut sheet filled out, hanging to age, cutting, wrapping (plastic wrap first then butcher paper), grinding, stuffing and pickup as well as disposal services. No sneaky add ons.
We offer a breakfast/wet sausage. No other special meats/jerky.
Q - Do you allow people to just hang the meat so they can butcher it themselves?
A - It’s case by case. Depending on current capacity as long as it is COOL, DRY and CLEAN we do ‘hang only’ daily rates that depend on how much rail space in your animal takes inside the lockers. Rates start at $15 daily for deer. I do however recommend you look at our flat rate processing fees as an option, but you are welcome to do it on your own.
Q - How do I know that I will get all my own meat back?
A - You are, in fact, guaranteed to get your own meat as every animal is done one at a time. After aging your harvest is brought from the locker directly to processing where it will be cut, ground, wrapped, and then taken directly to its own freezer space with your tag and cut sheet affixed. Processing equipment and tools are cleaned between each animal for sanitation. REPEAT!
I get every peice of consumable meat as if it were mine. No exceptions. Should you prefer references or pictures to confirm as much, please reach out! We have MANY.
Q - How do I get it to you, and what if it’s at night?!
A - We require you contact us BEFORE drop off to ensure we are here and get an appointment time. (208-874-2163) Hunting isn’t 8-5 so neither are we. We’re nearly always available as needed for the next 4 months every year. If you call me at midnight saying you have to drop off an elk then we make it work! Losing your harvest isn’t an option, but I might charge a small fee for ruining my beauty sleep 😂
Three RULES of Game Meat and Taxidermy Handling - Remember C.D.C.
This applies for taxidermy as well! Many folks bring their whole harvest to process then euro/tan/mount etc.
COOL - Get the hide off to let it beathe unless you’re close or its cold and want us to skin it. Pack it/around it with more ice than you think you should. The locker stays at ~37 degrees once here. As soon as that heart stops beating that animal begins decomposing. I personally wouldn’t risk a shot in the AM, but thats me. We can’t control what happens before it’s here or after it leaves, but we turned one away quartered literally hot to the touch last August. Too risky. It’s going to be quite warm at the start of August.
DRY - Do NOT leave meat or the hide to soak in cold ice water in a cooler. Prevent it from becoming waterlogged and attracting bacteria. Plastic or cardboard or both layers between water/ice and your meat. We run the dehumidifier to keep the locker around 85% rh for optimal aging without molding or drying out
CLEAN - Breathable game/homemade bags recommended. Its going to be on your dinner table, not ours. Use tarps under it, etc. We skin many animals on site for our clients. No charge if you do a taxidermy service for us and I don’t mind showing people how to skin for taxidermy specifically.
We unfortunately do turn away a few each season for problems with the three above.
HAPPY HUNTING!
