I Shot a Deer…Now What??

Sat-Sun, October 11-12, 2025

 

CRAFTING THE CATCH

More than the Hunt

America has plentiful game and a long tradition of hunters who utilize the harvest to feed their families and communities. Unfortunately, the number of hunters has been on the decline this century due to many reasons. The number one reason is that people that were not raised in a family of hunters and don’t have a mentor to help them get started. The number two reason is the nagging concern of, “If I shoot a deer, now what?” If you are looking to get back to nature and start a hunting tradition in your family, we want to help you. We want you to have the confidence so that you know what to do after the shot. If you are an experienced hunter that has been wanting to learn the cuts, we can help you as well. The best way to honor your harvest is to ensure that you utilize everything possible. From the shot to the stove, the processes that you use will determine the taste and the quality of what is on your plate. Let us guide you on a food journey that you will be proud to pass down to generations to come.

While we would love to take the entire class on a deer hunt and hope and pray that we actually got a deer at the right timing and location, we know that a fair hunt doesn’t always work in the hunter’s favor. Thankfully, sheep are very similar in their body structure to deer – just with shorter legs. We also have students requesting sheep classes, so it works out in everyone’s favor…except the sheep. Using Dorper sheep from a local farm, these humanely raised and pastured sheep are a hair sheep and meat breed developed in South Africa and known for their meaty deliciousness and their ability to handle the summer heat in Texas.

You will witness how to humanely dispatch the animal, get hands-on experience on field dressing and skinning, and learn the cuts to make you stand out as a hero at deer camp. Chef Brian will prepare an organ meat meal on harvest day and we will enjoy sausage and roast lamb on cut day. At the end of the butchery class, you’ll know the cuts and will walk away with the confidence to best utilize and honor the animal that you harvest this season or in the future. Each participant will leave with 1/2 of a sheep they helped to harvest (minus the amount used for meals).

The goal of Crunchy Mama Farms in Alvord, Texas is to be the bridge to education through unique experiences. Our mission statement and our heart is to teach people how to feed their families through butchery and homesteading classes. You have come to the right place to learn, grow and pass information to the next generation in your community. Welcome. We’re glad you’re here.

Deer and Sheep Processing Class

October 11-12, 2025

Alvord, Texas 76225

$350/Per Person

  • We provide the humanely-raised animals
  • Two students per sheep
  • 2 days of hands-on instruction – we believe that muscle-memory is achieved by doing it yourself
  • 2 lunches included (please let us know about dietary restrictions and we will try to accommodate)
  • 1/2 of the sheep to take home (minus the amount used for meals)
  • The Deer and Sheep Harvest Class will run from 9:00am until 1:00pm on Saturday, Oct 12th and from 9:00am to 2:30pm on Sunday, Oct 13th. Class time may vary based on the depth of our discussions.
  • Primitive camping sites are free of charge at the farm but most students will be staying in hotels in Decatur. We have an RV hookup that can be booked on a first-come, first serve basis.
Deer and Sheep Processing Class in Texas

Be the Butcher FAQs: I Shot a Deer...Now What??

Who would this class be great for? This class would be great for a new hunter or someone looking to learn the cuts when it comes to processing game in the field. We have designed this class so that a parent and child 12 and up can learn together and be prepared for their first hunt. This is also the perfect sheep butchery class for someone that is trying to provide food for their family on a small homestead with dorper sheep. Even if you don’t own a homestead or hunting lease, this is a great event for foodies to get a full farm-to-fork experience and take home some high quality Texas lamb meat to enjoy during the rest of the year.

Why should we take the class rather than just learn from YouTube or a book? The best way to prepare yourself for processing in the field or at deer camp is to actually have hands-on experience. By developing muscle memory and having already done the work, you will know how to butcher your deer, sheep, bear, or any other medium sized game animal once the shot is fired. Besides, the best hunting usually takes place where you won’t be able to watch butchery videos on your phone. If you are looking for a Texas sheep butchery or deer butchery class designed for hunters, this is where you need to be.

What specific skills or techniques will be covered? We will harvest live sheep on the pasture and students will see the shot and some will have the opportunity to do the bleeding cut. We will then move on to field dressing, skinning, and gutting. On the following day, we will learn butchery and retail cuts using a knife and saw along with how to use a grinder and sausage stuffer. All equipment is provided and students will be able to try various knives, grinders, sausage stuffers, and vacuum sealers. Hands on experience with the butchery equipment is important so students can figure out what they like and then make informed purchase decisions. Also included in the class is proper sanitation and care of the meat in the field along with cooking techniques for various cuts. By gaining experience using the right equipment, butchery techniques and sanitary procedures, students will be much more confident going into the field for their first hunt.

What ages can participate in this class? Anyone from 12 on up would be fine in this class. We are happy to welcome slightly younger students if they have passed their hunter safety class. This would be a good bonding experience for couples or parents with their mature children.

What preparations will we learn for the lamb meat? We will make a merguez sausage and prepare some roasted lamb dishes. Organ meats such as heart and liver are commonly on the menu at hunting camps and we’ll make sure that we use them.

Is the focus more on basic skills or advanced techniques? This is an entry level class but we can also address the questions of more advanced students.

Where will this class take place? This class will occur at Crunchy Mama Farms in Alvord, Texas 76225. Specifics will be sent to participants once payment has been made. Alvord is approximately 20 minutes from Decatur, TX and about an hour from downtown Fort Worth, TX. We are a little over an hour from the DFW International Airport.