Having your animal butchered costs hundreds of dollars. And while that does save you the work, you’re also missing out on one of the most rewarding parts of hunting your own food—that moment where you decide which cuts to keep and which adventures to take in the kitchen throughout the year.
Held at our field kitchen near Rochester, Alberta, smack in the middle of hunting season, we’ll take a recently harvested deer from gambrel to butcher paper. You’ll help break down the animal, learn every cut, talk through its uses in the kitchen, and enjoy a camp lunch, foraged teas, and a wild cocktail or two. Share stories around our forest dining table with like-minded hunters, and leave confident in your ability to carry an animal from field to freezer.
This workshop is for:
Hunters who want to be connected to the full process, from scouting to sharing great meals
Hunters who want to save money on professional butchery (hundreds per animal add up fast)
Hunters who butcher their own but want more confidence and new ideas for the kitchen
Elk & moose hunters: A deer is a perfect case study—similar anatomy, same techniques. Kevin grew up butchering moose and butchers elk frequently as well.
One day investing in skills that will pay dividends for every hunting trip you’re looking forward to. Small group, hands-on access: only 10 spots available.
Big Game Butchery
Time - 10am - 4pm
What to expect:
- morning briefing, foraged tea, meet and greet
- overview of breaking down a whole animal
- front quarter butchery
- hang out with cool, like minded people
- camp lunch at our long table
- hind quarter butchery
- cocktail break
- wrap and pack pointers
- Q&A, review, and goodbyes
- leave comfortable tackling your own at home
(Yes, we know, we can’t serve game meat we harvested without violating the wildlife act, so we source elk, bison, sometimes whitetail and other tasty game from local purveyors like The Butchery by Rge Rd, or local ranchers who raise it.)
NOTE - our basecamp location is actually in a large forest in very undulating terrain. If you have concerns or questions about your ability to participate, please do contact us prior to buying a spot.
Cancellation policy - we'll happily offer a full refund if you really need to cancel up to four weeks in advance. Under four weeks, and we cannot provide a refund but can offer for you to join us at a future similar event.
Full details (primarily driving directions & maps) provided by email a day or two prior to the event.
QUESTIONS? Email us! forage@fromthewild.ca