Processing deer properly makes the most of the hunt

Vermont is one of the most rural states in the country, and Vermonters have a proud heritage of living close to the land. Hunting is highly regulated and provides a way to connect with the land, connect with nature, and connect with a healthy, sustainable food source that is rooted in Vermont.

Making the most of the meals provided by deer taken in hunting seasons starts with processing them quickly and correctly, which is why the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department (VTFW) has three online videos demonstrating how to process deer. Finding the videos is easy on the VTFW website at www.vtfishandwildlife.com/hunt. Click on “White-tailed Deer,” then “Processing Your Deer.” The educational videos are titled “Field Dressing a Deer,” “Skinning a Deer,” and “Butchering a Deer.”