Getting the wrong Elk back. What would you do?

Elk_Nuts · Dec 6, 2021

So we went and did our annual Colorado "meat" cow hunt this year. A couple guys killed early so they took their Elk into a big processor in Montrose Co. We have used them before without any issues.

When we went to pick up the meat at the end of the week they wheel out the cart. 1 guy had 2 boxes of meat but he did shoot a yearling so that was expected, 1 guy had 3 boxes of meat, and the last guy had 6 boxes of meat. All had the same cutting instructions and the 3 box guy and the 6 box guy had shot pretty similar sized cow elk. Well 3 box guy says whoa something isn't right. We have a problem.

So, manager lady comes outside and informs us that this is what happened.............. A guy had come in with a giant bull, The Cut tags got swapped with 6 box guys cow. The Cow got cut with the bulls instructions and the bull got cut with the cows instructions. So, whoever had shot this giant bull got 6 box guys cow and never even knew it and 6 box guy got 6 boxes because he ended up with this guys bull. They did offer 6 box guy a farm raised cow instead of the bull if he wanted but he said no thanks.

The 2 issues are, the bull won't eat as good as a cow (but he did get twice the meat) and............ His cow came from a mandatory CWD testing unit and they guy that took the cow will never know if the cow tested positive or negative for CWD. For all I know he would eat it anyway but it would still be nice to have that choice.

Side note, they only charged him for the cutting of the cow and not the bull. I would have been way more pissed off if it was my animal than he was. I know how well I take care of my animals after the kill. They are skinned and cooled where they lay etc. Who knows how the bull was treated?

elkantlers · Dec 6, 2021

Man up and cut it yourself. That's the only sure way you know you're getting your own meat.

Go ahead and tell me why you don't have the time, space, equipment or whatever to do it yourself.

HIcountryman · Dec 6, 2021

a different problem with a processor, but still a problem that has NO resolution options, is what led me to quit giving my hard earned wild meat to anyone else to butcher. you never know what they are combining it with... whether the equipment is clean... etc.
sucks but there is no option for resolution when you hand over game to a processor.

Elk_Nuts · Dec 6, 2021

elkantlers said:
Man up and cut it yourself. That's the only sure way you know you're getting your own meat.

Go ahead and tell me why you don't have the time, space, equipment or whatever to do it yourself.

Oh I do have the time, space, equipment and whatever to do it myself. I just choose not too. I use a local guy that I've know personally forever that has always done a good job for me.

treedagain · Dec 6, 2021

I have never really seen a difference in the bulls and cows I have shot. But for the most part i burger most of mine.

hossblur · Dec 6, 2021

Give them credit for honesty. As much as professionals try, **** happens.

Don't forget, what is a big deal to you, is just another day to them. That's not an excuse, but I doubt highly anyone who works for a living has never messed something up.

The fact that they offered to make you as whole as possible, shows they are a good company.

travishunter3006 · Dec 6, 2021

I had a seizure trying to read this post….

nontypical · Dec 6, 2021

A whole elk is a daunting task to process by oneself; especially when you're old. I've "manned up" literally a hundred times to process my own critters and still do with deer or antelope sized game. First animal I ever had processed was a large bull moose, but I've had a few elk processed since then.

I have a similar tale of getting screwed by a processer with a bull elk I killed in 2018. They made the BEST jalapeno/cheese salami in the area! They were awesome in every way...that is until they sold out (I didn't know...) to the son the year before. He changed the recipe of that fantastic jalapeno/cheese stick. It was a few months before I ate any of that because I still had some from the previous elk. I was pretty much told "too bad" when I told them about it. The salami was HORRIBLE!! I couldn't eat it. To make matters worse, I had them do about 30 lbs because I was planning on giving a bunch out for Christmas. I couldn't bring myself to even give it away; it was so bad. So I ended up paying a buttload more than just the processing....for garbage... BUYER BEWARE!

oldmossback · Dec 6, 2021

We had a similar experience this year with a processor I have bragged about here on the site and have used for years. Myself and both sons shot similar sized bucks, All 3 with the same cutting instructions. Go to pick it up on the 6th day of the season and one son gets 2 boxes of meat and myself and other son gets 4 boxes of meat each. When we asked the owner he says" I don't know, take it or leave it". He then proceeds to also charge me an additional $100 per deer for a "rush fee". He says they have gotten really busy and normally it would not have been done until the following weekend. So when he bends me over for the processing fee I told him that i have been coming to him for over 12 years and we are always pumping up his processing and giving him props and referrals. He flat out says "ya know , I really don't care about any of that or social media. We do what we do and if anyone doesn't like it then don't come here. We don't need your help advertising!"
Needless to say, I will not be giving him props any longer or taking any animals there unless I absolutely have to. For the amount that he charged me for 3 deer I could have bought 3 grinders, a stuffer and all the casing to last a couple of years.

Utahlefty · Dec 6, 2021

Sounds like they did the best they could for the customer in this situation. Points for integrity.

In the larger picture, I suspect a lot of these "mistakes" are attributable to the fact that there are very few game processors in a given area anymore and the ones still standing are absolutely swamped during a relatively short period of the year.

I cut up all my own but tend to take cut meat to grind or make jerky if I have more than 50# of it.

The place I use has a new owner this year - seems like a really nice guy but it was apparent he's drinking out of a fire hose in his first season. (I think he really had no idea what was coming his way)

Anyhow, I took about 80# of cut meat to him from my 1st season CO bull for burger/jerky that I still don't have. I'm sure he'll try to make good on it but I think there's zero chance I get my own meat back.

treedagain · Dec 6, 2021

Utahlefty said:
Sounds like they did the best they could for the customer in this situation. Points for integrity.

In the larger picture, I suspect a lot of these "mistakes" are attributable to the fact that there are very few game processors in a given area anymore and the ones still standing are absolutely swamped during a relatively short period of the year.

I cut up all my own but tend to take cut meat to grind or make jerky if I have more than 50# of it.

The place I use has a new owner this year - seems like a really nice guy but it was apparent he's drinking out of a fire hose in his first season. (I think he really had no idea what was coming his way)

Anyhow, I took about 80# of cut meat to him from my 1st season CO bull for burger/jerky that I still don't have. I'm sure he'll try to make good on it but I think there's zero chance I get my own meat back.

Most likely the same guy I used this year. Put an order in for brats, dropped of 30lns and 2 months later no call, so I stopped by and he said they dont do them anymore?

BrowningRage · Dec 6, 2021

I like what the processor did for your friend. I think somebody bungled the meat processing of the bull and the cow, and when the processor found out, they did their best to appease those involved. Your friend was given a choice, one that he didn't intend on having to make, but at least he got to choose in the end what he wanted as a solution to the issue.

Also, bull or cow- get yourself an Instant Pot to cook those roasts and you'll never be able to tell one from another.

Shadow · Dec 6, 2021

Sounds like they owned up to the mistake and tried to make it right. I like elk meat ok but if the locker were to offer up a beef instead of someone else’s old stinky rutted bull, I’d have taken them up on in.

dgwoody · Dec 6, 2021

As has been said, sounds like they did what they could to make it right. It’s okay to be disappointed, but shouldn’t be mad about anything. Mistakes happen, but if they try to make it right that’s all you can hope for.

hunt30 · Dec 6, 2021

Um, I would have taken the beef and considered myself the luckiest person ever.

Neverdrawn · Dec 6, 2021

If a person can't tell the difference between a mature bull and a young cow when eating it they must have covid, cause there's a huge difference.

Homer · Dec 6, 2021

costco beef.....is way better and cheaper...in the long run

treedagain · Dec 6, 2021

Neverdrawn said:
If a person can't tell the difference between a mature bull and a young cow when eating it they must have covid, cause there's a huge difference.

Not really a difference other than you get alot more meat off the bull. But I burger most of mine. The only bad elk I had was a big cow.

JPickett · Dec 6, 2021

hunt30 said:
Um, I would have taken the beef and considered myself the luckiest person ever.

Yup

SS! · Dec 6, 2021

Anyone that would pick wild game over beef is an idiot.

broomd · Dec 7, 2021

elkantlers said:
Man up and cut it yourself. That's the only sure way you know you're getting your own meat.

Go ahead and tell me why you don't have the time, space, equipment or whatever to do it yourself.

lol...
Man up. Right. Because nothing says 'man' like cutting your own meat.

OP, find a different processor in the future. Most won't have something like this happen.

Several years ago I befriended our local IGA grocery meatcutter. He is a young guy assistant butcher. He now runs that meat department entirely. He works very reasonably and cuts everything for us every Fall. I tip him well given his prices are so cheap. Does a helluva job.

We raise cattle, he hasn't cut them yet but i'm thinking on it given the ridiculous wait times and prices for our strictly-beef cutter.

Ynothunt41 · Dec 7, 2021

elkantlers said:
Man up and cut it yourself. That's the only sure way you know you're getting your own meat.

Go ahead and tell me why you don't have the time, space, equipment or whatever to do it yourself.

I got ripped off by Kinikin this year with the bull took there from 2nd season. I didn't do it myself because I live 1800 miles away and had a 3rd season deer tag. I will never both seasons again so I take care of the meat myself. This was my 3 bull and have a good idea what I should get back. I got about half (probably more) than what they gave me.

elkantlers · Dec 7, 2021

Ynothunt41 said:
I got ripped off by Kinikin this year with the bull took there from 2nd season. I didn't do it myself because I live 1800 miles away and had a 3rd season deer tag. I will never both seasons again so I take care of the meat myself. This was my 3 bull and have a good idea what I should get back. I got about half (probably more) than what they gave me.

If you cant process it right away because of another hunt, take it to a butcher shop and pay them to keep it in the cooler. It will be fine for a couple weeks.
Then take it home and process it.

Elk_Nuts · Dec 7, 2021

hunt30 said:
Um, I would have taken the beef and considered myself the luckiest person ever.

It was farmed raised Cow Elk they offered. Not beef.

Elk_Nuts · Dec 7, 2021

SS! said:
Anyone that would pick wild game over beef is an idiot.

Farmed raised Elk. Not beef.

oilcan · Dec 7, 2021

I’ve had several WTF moments when picking up meat over the years. The final straw was on a hunt in SD, I gave specific instructions on how I wanted it cut and packaged. When I picked it up they had ground the back straps into burger. Now we do it all my bought a nice grinder, sealer and gun to make the sticks. It took 3 of us about 5 hours to cut, grind and seal 2 Deer and one Bull Elk.

Elk_Nuts · Dec 7, 2021

Ynothunt41 said:
I got ripped off by Kinikin this year with the bull took there from 2nd season. I didn't do it myself because I live 1800 miles away and had a 3rd season deer tag. I will never both seasons again so I take care of the meat myself. This was my 3 bull and have a good idea what I should get back. I got about half (probably more) than what they gave me.

Maybe you're the one that got my buddies Cow? ?

EVILNR · Dec 7, 2021

Thinking of a Weird Al Yankovich song
anybody?????

Death by twinkies · Dec 7, 2021

In today's world everything is backwards. After dealing with all the messed up drive thru orders I have received this past year. Not to mention the time it has taken to get my order out. I would be happy I got an elk back at all.

nocwalker · Dec 7, 2021

travishunter3006 said:
I had a seizure trying to read this post….

Me too

elkassassin · Dec 7, 2021

Says The Guy That Can't Buy Beef unless it's at a F'N Ridiculous Price!

SS! said:
Anyone that would pick wild game over beef is an idiot.

DanMan · Dec 7, 2021

oilcan said:
I’ve had several WTF moments when picking up meat over the years. The final straw was on a hunt in SD, I gave specific instructions on how I wanted it cut and packaged. When I picked it up they had ground the back straps into burger. Now we do it all my bought a nice grinder, sealer and gun to make the sticks. It took 3 of us about 5 hours to cut, grind and seal 2 Deer and one Bull Elk.

Them backstraps probably went home with one of them I betcha!

wildfin · Dec 8, 2021

i got home from a deer hunt and as i was putting the packages in the freezer they all had elk stamped on them with my name, so I dont even know what it is, I did bring the back straps and some other meat back with me so that is deer meat . ss with your statement now we know your meat care and cooking skills are very low.

littlebull209338 · Dec 8, 2021

Beware of a processor in Arvada, CO. Took my animals there for years and was very pleased. Owner sold to his daughter and things went to hell in hurry. I and several of my friends will never go back there, In my experience H & H in Meeker does the best, fastest and cleanest job. Johnny and his crew work their behinds off.

elkantlers · Dec 8, 2021

Utahlefty · Dec 8, 2021

Utahlefty said:
The place I use has a new owner this year - seems like a really nice guy but it was apparent he's drinking out of a fire hose in his first season. (I think he really had no idea what was coming his way)

Anyhow, I took about 80# of cut meat to him from my 1st season CO bull for burger/jerky that I still don't have. I'm sure he'll try to make good on it but I think there's zero chance I get my own meat back.

An update in the interests of fairness:

This thread inspired me to stop in and inquire about my own elk meat after I wrote the above post ^.

The new owner told me the reason for the delay was that their smoker was down and they were just recently able to get it fixed.

He showed me my frozen meat in the cooler still in the containers I brought it in.

Sez he should have the jerky done in about two weeks and it looks like it really will be my elk, so

oldmossback · Dec 8, 2021

littlebull209338 said:
Beware of a processor in Arvada, CO. Took my animals there for years and was very pleased. Owner sold to his daughter and things went to hell in hurry. I and several of my friends will never go back there, In my experience H & H in Meeker does the best, fastest and cleanest job. Johnny and his crew work their behinds off.

H&H is where we usually go, but this year was horrible

nontypical · Dec 8, 2021

Apparently, I'm an idiot. AND lazy. Oh...must not be a man either.

Lots of judgmental folks around here...

All the processing I do is by myself. Skinning, deboning, trimming, cutting into steaks, wrapping. I'm 70. That's why I don't do the bigger critters anymore. Is that ok? I sure hope so, because I don't think I could sleep at night if it's not.

roadrunner · Dec 8, 2021

elkantlers said:
Man up and cut it yourself. That's the only sure way you know you're getting your own meat.

Go ahead and tell me why you don't have the time, space, equipment or whatever to do it yourself.

Or maybe, go back and carefully read the first paragraph of the thread starting post.

We aren't discussing what the thread owner should do with his own elk. We are discussing what others think about two guys in his hunting party that had one of their animals mixed up.

elkantlers · Dec 8, 2021

roadrunner said:
Or maybe, go back and carefully read the first paragraph of the thread starting post.

We aren't discussing what the thread owner should do with his own elk. We are discussing what others think about two guys in his hunting party that had one of their animals mixed up.

Ok, let me try again.
That's so sad that they have to deal with this situation that they created by not Maning up and processing the elk themselves. That must be really hard for them. Prayers sent.

desperatehills · Dec 8, 2021

What about the possibility that the bull had CWD? Is your buddy comfortable eating that bull not knowing?

roadrunner · Dec 8, 2021

elkantlers said:
Ok, let me try again.
That's so sad that they have to deal with this situation that they created by not Maning up and processing the elk themselves. That must be really hard for them. Prayers sent.

"Maning up" has nothing to do with it.

But while we're on topic, I expect you to man up as well and do all things yourself.

All things...

roadrunner · Dec 9, 2021

elkantlers said:
Ok, let me try again.
That's so sad that they have to deal with this situation that they created by not Maning up and processing the elk themselves. That must be really hard for them. Prayers sent.

And, since it's so funny, by all things, you need to do all your own mechanic work, healthcare work, everything.

Yeah, didn't think you was man enough...

oldmossback · Dec 9, 2021

elkantlers said:

that is the cleanest deer carcass I have ever seen. Not even any blood.

gundog2 · Dec 9, 2021

You are lucky to find people willing to do real work like packaging your wild game, so I recommend saying thank you and tipping the workers if you can afford it.

elkantlers · Dec 9, 2021

roadrunner said:
And, since it's so funny, by all things, you need to do all your own mechanic work, healthcare work, everything.

Yeah, didn't think you was man enough...

You got me. I don't do my own colonoscopy. lol

Seems I hit a nerve with ole RR.

if-youre-a-father-who-doesnt-hunt-happy-mothers-day.jpg

roadrunner · Dec 9, 2021

elkantlers said:
You got me. I don't do my own colonoscopy. lol

Seems I hit a nerve with ole RR.

View attachment 62011

No, "Maning up" doesn't have anything to do with it and it was one of the dumbest comments I've ever read.

That's it, and that's all...

Elk_Nuts · Dec 9, 2021

desperatehills said:
What about the possibility that the bull had CWD? Is your buddy comfortable eating that bull not knowing?

He's not. I would be though.

Elk_Nuts · Dec 9, 2021

elkantlers said:
Maning up

Manning

elkantlers · Dec 9, 2021

roadrunner said:
No, "Maning up" doesn't have anything to do with it and it was one of the dumbest comments I've ever read.

That's it, and that's all...

That's too bad, I was just starting to have fun

Elk_Nuts said:
Manning

You sure "Manning" is the correct word? Look up the definition.

Elk_Nuts · Dec 9, 2021

elkantlers said:
That's too bad, I was just starting to have fun

You sure "Manning" is the correct word? Look up the definition.

I'm sure. Although the proper grammar would be " By not choosing to Man up" Just saying.

roadrunner · Dec 9, 2021

elkantlers said:
That's too bad, I was just starting to have fun

You sure "Manning" is the correct word? Look up the definition.

I can tell. The memes are starting to fly to show everyone just how funny you pretend you are.

Still about the dumbest thing ever to think to be a real man you have to cut up your own animal when that wasn't even the point of the thread.

Another prime example of the inability to comprehend what one is reading...