My Butcher Shop!

My freezer is looking pretty darn full after two days of butchering moose! Matt had perfect timing shooting his moose. We had a full week of cool temperatures for the moose to hang, and then my mother arrived for a visit. Having my mother here to help me butcher is fantastic! Every year she butchers a number of moose, elk and deer of her own and for other family members. She is a pro!!

Over the last two days we have added to our freezer:

• over 80 packages of ground meat
• over 50 packages of steak/cutlets
• 22 large roasts
• 5 packages of tenderloin
• 50lbs of my mothers homemade sausage recipe
• 25lbs of Italian sausage
• 25lbs of maple breakfast sausage
• 25lbs of hamburger patties

Today we are going to pressure can about 24 jars of moose that I use in soups and stews over the winter. Then next week Matt and I will break out the smoker to make some delicious moose jerky with about 30lbs of nice pieces of meat I set aside.

Mmmmmm MOOSE!!

Near the end of day 1, I did a nasty slice to my pointer finger. Matt took me down to the Health Centre for stitches, but thankfully I got away with just having it glued together and a tetanus shot which hurt more than the cut!!

Wrapping, wrapping and more wrapping!

My little helper labeling packages for me:

My mom making burger patties:

Hunter learning the fine art of sausage making:

Cavan the Curious inspects the sausage making process:

Yum! I am thankful for a freezer full of meaty goodness!