Antelope hunt Calif. Zone 5

Reed · Jul 23, 2023

Drew a tag and now looking for a meat locker in that part of the state. I just did a week scouting and was not able to fine one. Hoping someone out there has any suggestions. Trying to get something located before the hunt.

Paul_Crawford · Jul 24, 2023

Don't know where 5 is. Closest town?

heywouldya · Jul 24, 2023

Where do you live? I'd try to find one close to home if you can.

Horniac · Jul 24, 2023

Congrats on the tag!

Are you looking for a butcher or just a place to hang your antelope because you have another hunt in the area or something?

Horniac

Reed · Jul 24, 2023

I am just looking for a place to hang the antelope to cool it off so I can travel the 300 plus miles back home. If time permits I could have it cut and wrapped. Thanks for reaching out.

Reed · Jul 24, 2023

heywouldya said:
Where do you live? I'd try to find one close to home if you can.

I thought I had answered but since I am new to the forum I think I did something wrong. The towns nearest to where I will be hunting is Fall River Mills, Adin and Bieber, CA

Reed · Jul 24, 2023

Paul_Crawford said:
Don't know where 5 is. Closest town?

Bieber or Adin, CA

Reed · Jul 24, 2023

heywouldya said:
Where do you live? I'd try to find one close to home if you can.

Home is over 300 miles and this time of year it is very hot. Of course I might be forced to cut it up and put it in an ice chest for the ride home.

kota · Jul 24, 2023

Reed said:
Home is over 300 miles and this time of year it is very hot. Of course I might be forced to cut it up and put it in an ice chest for the ride home.

This

Or you can try Idaho Grocery in Susanville.

Horniac · Jul 24, 2023

Reed said:
I am just looking for a place to hang the antelope to cool it off so I can travel the 300 plus miles back home. If time permits I could have it cut and wrapped. Thanks for reaching out.

If it was me I would just bring a couple of ice chests with some block ice. Gutless method in the field and then back to the truck and get him on ice and hit the road. Drain the melt water and replenish the ice as necessary on the way home and then process yourself or take it to your local butcher.

Not sure why you would want to take the time to find someone to hang it for you unless you wanted to stay in the area for an extended period of time for some reason…

Horniac

Bwht4x4 · Jul 24, 2023

Reed said:
Drew a tag and now looking for a meat locker in that part of the state. I just did a week scouting and was not able to fine one. Hoping someone out there has any suggestions. Trying to get something located before the hunt.

Just bone it out and put it on ice. Personally if I can find dry ice I will, but I'll use wet ice in a heart beat. Personally I think you're over-thinking this situation. We kill deer in A zone in early August when it's 100+ degrees and just quickly process them and get them on ice. Not a big deal.

HuntinEngineer530 · Jul 24, 2023

Girlfriend and I killed 2 antelope in NE wyoming 1225 miles from home. Field dressed, popped hindquarters off to put lengthwise and each fit in a 160 quart ice chest with plenty of room for ice (crushed, block, dry, etc.)

Reed · Jul 25, 2023

Thanks for all of the suggestions. Yes, I would like to stay a few days longer. The fishing up there can be really good. But if there is no facility close by, I will bone it out in the field. Lucky I have my son and a very foolish friend to help me out. ?

Horniac · Jul 25, 2023

Of what may be of more importance is the proper care of your cape If you are planning on getting your antelope mounted. They are notorious for slipping so make sure you have a plan for that if you are going to stay and fish…

Horniac

heywouldya · Jul 25, 2023

Reed said:
I thought I had answered but since I am new to the forum I think I did something wrong. The towns nearest to where I will be hunting is Fall River Mills, Adin and Bieber, CA

Fall River is the largest town that you mention here. There's a store in Adin and nothing in Bieber. I don't believe there is a butcher shop in Fall River. I think the suggestion above are going to work the best for you.
You may want to "drop off the mountain" and take it to a processor, and go back up and fish. It's not that far.

Reed · Jul 25, 2023

heywouldya said:
Fall River is the largest town that you mention here. There's a store in Adin and nothing in Bieber. I don't believe there is a butcher shop in Fall River. I think the suggestion above are going to work the best for you.
You may want to "drop off the mountain" and take it to a processor, and go back up and fish. It's not that far.

Thank you. 33 years ago I used the market in Fall River but with new owners they no longer do that. I have not checked in with the store in Adin but will give it a try. Other than that it looks like I will be using the ice chests to get the goat home.

Twoducks · Jul 28, 2023

I thought that Burney had a butcher shop there

X7ahunter · Jul 28, 2023

kota said:
This

Or you can try Idaho Grocery in Susanville.

Yep and let Robert and Joey turn into antelope steaks and chorizo

Reed · Jul 30, 2023

Twoducks said:
I thought that Burney had a butcher shop there

I have not been able to find one nor hear about one. Although I was just asking the folks out in Bieber, Fall River Mills and Goggle. ?. I think I will call the local Safeway store and ask for the meat department. Maybe they will now who the local game processor is. Thank you!!

Calbuck · Jul 30, 2023

Barbara Hicks had the butcher shop in Burney but I don't believe they are doing it anymore. We had her son Chuck come out and butcher my dads deer at my house. He did a good job at a reasonable price. But I don't think they are hanging animals anymore.

Reed · Jul 30, 2023

X7ahunter said:
Yep and let Robert and Joey turn into antelope steaks and chorizo

Antelope steaks is what I am hoping for. It is our favorite wild game if you make the right kill.

Reed · Jul 30, 2023

Calbuck said:
Barbara Hicks had the butcher shop in Burney but I don't believe they are doing it anymore. We had her son Chuck come out and butcher my dads deer at my house. He did a good job at a reasonable price. But I don't think they are hanging animals anymore.

Thank you. I feel like we are getting closer. Although it seems like most that I hear about are older and on the way out. Shame now one wants to take up that kind of work up there.

Calbuck · Jul 30, 2023

Was just discussing this with my wife..if I knew there was a real market for it, I thought about at least building a cold storage. But I only want to deal with my own meat!

X7ahunter · Jul 31, 2023

Reed said:
Antelope steaks is what I am hoping for. It is our favorite wild game if you make the right kill.

It's my favorite. Robert, Joey, and Renee would take good care of you at Idaho. Get a sammich and a coke if you go in. Tell em Dakota says Hi!

Reed · Jul 31, 2023

Calbuck said:
Was just discussing this with my wife..if I knew there was a real market for it, I thought about at least building a cold storage. But I only want to deal with my own meat!

I would guess there would be at least a market for cold storage. If one did not make it to big.