Meat Processors in Chaffee County, Colorado

Chaffee County sees high hunter traffic due to the large tracts of public land in the Sawatch Range. When you bring an elk or mule deer down in the backcountry near Salida, you need a reliable place to get the meat cooled and cut quickly. High elevations and rugged terrain make for a difficult pack out, so having a plan for your harvest before you head into the woods is necessary.

Southpaw Butchers Inc. in Salida provides professional processing services for local and visiting hunters. They handle standard cuts and packaging to ensure your meat stays fresh for the trip home. Since there are limited options in this part of the Arkansas River Valley, call ahead to check their current capacity during the busy rifle seasons.

1 meat processor in Chaffee County

Serving Salida.

Southpaw Butchers Inc.

Meat Processor VerifiedClosed

Salida, CO

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Using meat processors in Chaffee County

A processor skins, quarters, ages, cuts and packages your animal, and can turn trim into sausage, snack sticks or jerky. Many shops post cut sheets in advance and cap how many animals they take per day during peak weeks.

What to ask before you commit

Are you accepting deer right now, and is there a daily cap?
Do I get my own animal back, or is trim pooled?
What is the base price and what do specialty products cost per pound?
Do you have after-hours drop-off, and does the animal need to be field dressed?
How long until pickup, and how is the meat packaged?

What it usually costs

Basic cut-and-wrap is often a flat fee per animal, with sausage, sticks and jerky charged per pound on top. Specialty products regularly cost more than the base processing itself.

Timing matters

Warm weather is the enemy. Field dress immediately, keep the carcass shaded and open to airflow, and get it to the processor the same day when temperatures are above the 40s.

Other services in Chaffee County

Taxidermists (1)Bow Shops (1)