This workshop is full as of Feb. 19, 2026. If you would like to join the waitlist, please contact Branndon Costallano at [email protected] or 317-519-0728.

Whether you're an aspiring deer hunter, a newbie wild game chef, or an experienced outdoorsperson looking for ways to process the venison in your freezer, join us for this advanced deer processing workshop on March 7 from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. at the Smoking Goose Meatery in Indianapolis. This event is in partnership with the Indiana Chapter of Backcountry Hunters and Anglers. Learning how to process your own deer can increase your independence as an outdoorsperson, allows you to get more out of your harvest, and creates opportunities for community-building centered around sharing lean, locally sourced venison!

This adult-oriented (16+) workshop will cover how to safely and effectively use meat grinders, sausage stuffers and other equipment to take your deer meat from field to fork. We will provide guidance on what to include in your grind, how to make sausage, and which spices and casings to consider adding to your game processing wish list! This course will include both demonstrations and hands-on practice so please come prepared to get involved. This course will NOT cover how to break down a deer or remove meat from the carcass. It will instead focus on more nuanced ways to use the meat once it has been removed. For more information on how to skin and quarter a deer, visit on.IN.gov/deer-processing.

This course will be held in a cold room conducive to processing meat. We ask that you dress warmly and appropriately. Participants can also expect to be standing for most of the class. For health and safety reasons, pants and closed-toe shoes are required. Please refrain from bringing your own wild game to process.  

Please join us at this free workshop, registration required!

DNR values inclusion and access for all participants and will provide reasonable accommodation for this event. Please contact Branndon Castellano at [email protected] or 317-519-0728 to request an accommodation or discuss any questions and concerns. Requests must be submitted at least one week before the event.