In reference to jhjimbo a coupleofpagesback about butchering deer. We process deer here in Ohio. I've got a pretty good referenc

[Trapper Vic]

In reference to jhjimbo a coupleofpagesback about butchering deer. We process deer here in Ohio. I've got a pretty good reference to how much meat you should get back!

[Trapper Vic]

WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO REFUSE ANY DEER WE FEEL IS IN POOR CONDITION
(FROM CONTAMINATION, TISSUE DAMAGED OR IMPROPER COOLING)

WE RECOMMEND THAT YOU DO NOT REMOVE LEGS OR CUT TENDONS, DO NOT REMOVE SENT GLANDS, DO NOT CUT OPEN BREAST BONE WHEN FIELD DRESSING AND BRING IN YOUR DEER AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE (DO NOT AGE OR FREEZE THE DEER IN YOUR GARAGE).

MEAT & BONES: HOW MUCH MEAT IS ON ONE DEER?
(FROM DEER AND DEER HUNTING MAGAZINE)
ALTHOUGH IT WOULD BE CONVENIENT TO SAY A DEER'S MEAT YIELD IS 50% OF IT'S FIELD DRESSED WEIGHT IT WOULDN'T BE TOTALLY ACCURATE. SOME EQUATIONS SHOW A BUCK CARCASS YIELDS 66% MEAT AND 34% WASTE. IT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT THIS EQUATION ASSUMES THAT NO PART OF THE DEER IS LOST TO TISSUE DAMAGE OR THAT THE CARCASS IS COMPLETELY BONED.

REMEMBER TO USE THE EQUATION, FIRST OBTAIN AN ACCURATE FIELD DRESSED WEIGHT.
1. LIVE WEIGHT = FIELD DRESSED WEIGHT MULTIPLIED BY 1.32.
2. CARCASS WEIGHT = FIELD DRESSED WEIGHT DIVIDED BY 1.331
3. IDEAL BONELESS VENISON WEIGHT = CARCASS WEIGHT MULTIPLIED BY .67
4. REALISTIC VENISON YIELD = IDEAL BONELESS WEIGHT MULTIPLIED BY .70

FOR EXAMPLE: A MATURE BUCK WEIGHS 165 LBS. FIELD DRESSED. ESTIMATED LIVE WEIGHT IS 217LBS. THE CARCASS WILL WEIGH 124 LBS. AND IT WILL YIELD 83 LBS. OF BONELESS MEAT IF NOTHING GOES TO WASTE. WASTE IS THE KEY ELEMENT IN DETERMINING VENISON YIELDS. WHAT IF THE PROCESSOR SHOWS THAT THE BUCK'S ACTUAL YIELD WAS 18 LBS. LESS THAN THE IDEAL BONELESS WEIGHT? IT IS THEN NECESSARY TO USE A WASTE FACTOR TO DETERMINE HOW MUCH MEAT TO EXPECT FROM A DEER THAT ISN'T SHOT IN THE HEAD. THIS IS WHERE EQUATION 4 GIVES US THE REALISTIC VENISON YIELD OF 55 TO 65 LBS.

[99explorer]

I have in my notes an old formula that predicts a yield of 56.25% meat from the field-dressed weight of the deer.
In the case above, a deer with a field-dressed weight of 165 pounds should yield 92.8 pounds of meat.
Of course, field-dressed weight is almost always an estimate, and there is usually a certain amount of tissue damage from the kill.
BTW, a 217-pound buck is hardly average for the species.

[WA Mtnhunter]

40% yield of live weight is closer to reality.

[99explorer]

If we're talking live weight, my formula shows a 44% yield.

[country road]

I have to go with WAM's figures, and when you trim the meat, you come up with even less.

[jhjimbo]

Is there any good way to trim the sliver sinew from choice cuts of venison? I always seem to lose too much meet.

[jhjimbo]

make that meat.