Splitting up the meat

[Hilltop]

On my previous elk hunts, my group of hunters has always agreed to evenly distribute meat between everyone in the group. If 6 of us go out and we harvest 3 elk, everyone gets a half of an elk for the freezer. I'm curious to hear if many more guys split up their meat and how they go about it. I have a newer group of guys I'm getting together with for a future elk hunt and I thought maybe someone would have good ideas.

 

[libidilatimmy]

I've done this sort of thing. It always kind of depended on what the individual preferred as in one guy wanted mostly burger while another wanted mostly steak which was easy to accommodate when doing the butchering ourselves. The prime cuts were used for parties where everyone could enjoy them at the same time. It's a good idea in that nobody ends up empty handed.

 

[Topgun 30-06]

That will vary a lot depending on the people and the best thing is to make sure of the plans for any meat distribution WELL BEFORE the hunt! I ask for very little, if any, when I help a couple friends on their hunts. In fact, I didn't take a single package home from the two bulls and two cows we shot in Wyoming last year. We will use some of it on our hunts this year and my buddy in Sheridan also has some antelope and sheep meat from last season that we'll use for a few meals.

 

[ssliger]

Last year I got a bull and my friend did not, we decided that whoever didn't get a elk would get a front shoulder, and hind quarter. I got the other quarters and the extras.

 

[2rocky]

I've been happy to share my meat with my brother in law when I killed and he didn't. I mean heck he helped skin, quarter and pack it out .

That said, I don't go hunting to simply get my winter's meat. I've shared an elk with a friend who had wolves claim his bow kill. Had to drive a few miles out of my way but was glad to help them out.

I've got a few non hunting friends in a lower income bracket. They appreciate a few chubs of ground venison that seem to be left at the beginning of the year.

Part of the pleasure of being successful is sharing the results amongst a small group.

I've seen deer clubs where there is a "meat list" and if you kill a buck you give half of it to the "Meat lister" up next. Last few years (10-20) the deer kill has dropped below 50% in some of these places. Then that can get a bit dicey.

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

For over 50 years a group of us (family & friends) do a wilderness drop camp trip deer hunting that can sometimes have as many as 10 hunters in the group. We have always had an agreement to split up the meat evenly amongst us. Sometimes some will not want any and we usually eat about 1/2 deer on the trip. Never been a problem. Other hunts I always ask in advance how my hunting partners want to do it and we usually agree on an even split.

Just have to make sure that you talk about it before the hunt as mentioned.

 

[packer58]

It's always a good idea to share the bounty when your hunting with a group and as mentioned try to have the conversation before the hunt. I don't hunt with a group normally so it's not an issue for me most of the time, but when I do I always offer to share......

I'll be helping a couple buddies and there father on a LE S/E Idaho bull hunt mid October and have already been told that i'll be bringing more elk meat home than I can eat in a year!!! That is if they can shoot straight...........

 

[woodtick]

I usually only hunt with one maybe two guys, its just kinda been common practice if you help pack out the meat you'll get some in return. Last year I didn't give out any meat after I killed an elk, I went home and made a ton of elk bratwursts and sent them the package over Christmas! They were surprised needless to say!

 

[Work2hunt]

Groups I've hunted in have equally shared and not shared. But we always ask the question before season starts......or at least I make sure it is asked.. I don't need any hard feelings once we start hunting. I prefer to share that way everyone goes home with something.

 

[tdub24]

If I get one, and folks help with the pack I give them some meat. I expect the same in return, even though my 2 main hunting buddies never give me anything. Seems only right to give gratitude to those that help. IMO

 

[dhershberger]

On my previous elk hunts, my group of hunters has always agreed to evenly distribute meat between everyone in the group. If 6 of us go out and we harvest 3 elk, everyone gets a half of an elk for the freezer. I'm curious to hear if many more guys split up their meat and how they go about it. I have a newer group of guys I'm getting together with for a future elk hunt and I thought maybe someone would have good ideas.

I don't harvest elk, I kill them. Just messing with you hilltop haha

 

[sneakypete]

Our group shares the wealth, hell part of it is sportsmanship and passing on our hunting heritage .

 

[ElkTrout]

The group I hunt with splits all the meat! We all pitch in to get the animal packed out and cared for. It is a group effort so we all get to reap the rewards!

 

[d.kerri]

I think the key part of this is to make sure everyone is on the same page ahead of time- whether you split, don't split, or split in a weighted manner [shooter takes a little extra], just make sure it isn't a discussion after the hunt, or there will probably be hurt feelings.

 

[Hilltop]

Thanks for everyone's posts.... Let the harvest...Killing begin!

 

[Never in Doubt]

Yeah, decide ahead of time. Because if some people don't get what they want, they'd rather not go or go with someone else.

 

[tdub24]

Yeah, decide ahead of time. Because if some people don't get what they want, they'd rather not go or go with someone else.

I have been lucky and the folks I hunt with all just love the hunt.....getting meat isn't their motivation. Like I previously stated, I just thing it is only right to offer up some packages of steaks, hamburger, sausages, etc. if someone helps on the hunt and/or pack.

 

[BobT]

When I was stationed in the south I belonged to "Hunting Clubs" and we sometimes hunted in large groups. The meat was divided into piles, one per hunter, whoever killed the deer got to pick the pile they wanted and the rest of the group drew numbers. Now I hunt with a smaller group of guys usually only one other guy so it's never been an issue, if one of us kills something the other gets a share if he wants it.

 

[OregonJim]

As most everyone has said….. make sure everyone agrees before the hunt. If a new guy comes in to the group make sure he is up to speed. On a similar issue it's always good to make sure everyone has a good grasp of what their responsibilities will be. I love to cook so I do most of it.
If I cook the other guys clean up, build fires, fetch water, wood etc

Goes a long way to avoid misunderstandings.

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

As most everyone has said….. make sure everyone agrees before the hunt. If a new guy comes in to the group make sure he is up to speed. On a similar issue it's always good to make sure everyone has a good grasp of what their responsibilities will be. I love to cook so I do most of it.
If I cook the other guys clean up, build fires, fetch water, wood etc

Goes a long way to avoid misunderstandings.

When I read this I had to laugh a little. My families annual wilderness deer hunt in the High Sierras is a spot pack to the same camp for over 50 years. There are usually 8 or so that go each year. One of my Dad's friends invited his son-in-law Jim along. We noticed right away that he wasn't very enthusiastic about doing camp chores (getting fire wood, water, helping with cooking, dishes, etc). One evening myself and my buddy were starting to fix dinner (we do most of the cooking). We were having chicken fried deer loin, fried potatoes w/onions and a salad. I asked Jim to peel and slice some potatoes. His reply was "I am on vacation". I not so politely told him if he wanted to eat he damn well better get started on the potatoes! Everyone in camp then unloaded on him about being so lazy. Needless to say his father-in-law was not too happy with him and also told him. That was the last time he went with us.

Yep...make sure everyone understands (in advance) what's expected of them.