Meat Processing Near Medicine Bow NF
Elk
Contributors to this thread:
I am heading to the Medicine Bow NF in September, but I am having a hard time finding meat processors in the area. If there is anyone out there that has a recommendation, I sure would appreciate it.
What town will you be near? Medicine Bow NF is in 3 sections and covers a lot of ground.
Your only options that I know of are Rainbow Meats in Laramie, Maddox Meats in Medicine Bow, or Laramie Peak in Wheatland.
Sorry Laramie Range in Wheatland, not Laramie Peak
Encampment River processing, in Encampment.
As Deertick points out, you need to be more specific. If you’re looking for a place in the Saratoga Valley, I highly recommend Merrill Meat’s, just north of Encampment.
Sorry... We are going to be hunting the general areas between Saratoga and Larimie. I found the processor in Encampment, but Encampment is almost 2 hrs drive further west. We’ll do that if necessary, but since I am driving from Georgia, it would be nice to find something that is on the way home. Again any help will be appreciated. Thanks.
A quick google search shows Rainbow Meats and Butcher Block Meats in Laramie. Butcher Block Meats has good reviews, Rainbow not so much. At least in the past, Rainbow had sporadic hours and were hard to contact. Don’t know if that’s changed or not.
Two years ago I tried to take an animal to Butcher Block and they said they weren't doing wild game anymore. Not sure if that has changed since.
I saw that you were from Georgia, that's why I didn't mention any processors farther west in my previous post.
Have you thought about these logistics?
IF you kill an elk, are you going to hang it in camp and then travel to the processor on your way home? And wait for them to process and and flash freeze? That take a couple days - IF they arent too busy.
IF you kill an elk, are you going to drive to the processor right away, drop it off, and then travel back to camp?
There are 3 of us with only 2 tags, if we kill an elk, we’ll pack it to the truck. 2 of us will get back to chasing elk while the other drives to the processor. At least that is the plan.
I have done some google searches but was hoping to get some recommendations based on personal experiences.
A couple years ago I had a processor lined up in Colorado. Reviews on line looked good and based on the conversation I had with them on the phone, everything sounded good. When I got there, I was not impressed and had to do some scrambling. Just trying to tie up as many loose ends as I can.
Thanks again.
As WyoBowHunter mentioned, the only place in Laramie that takes wild game is Rainbow. If you're hunting on the west side of the Snowies, Encampment isn't that much farther and probably a little closer than taking it into Laramie. It will add a bit to your drive home, but in the grand scheme of driving back to Georgia, a couple more hours isn't that bad.
The Mangy Moose in Encampment has good burgers and cold beer too
At the campground across the street from the Mangy Moose you can get a shower for $5.
Brad, unless the Mangy Moose was sold and reopened, it closed 2yrs ago. :-(. I was told the inside was literally falling apart, including the floors. Right next door is the Bear Trap Inn. Without a doubt, they had the best specialty burgers in the world! Unfortunately, 2yrs ago it changed owners. We tried it once and now go to a couple restaurants in Saratoga if we feel like eating somewhere other than camp. Duke’s Bar & Grill, in the middle of the block on Bridge Street has Green Chili Fries to die for! BTW, both the Mangy Moose and the Bear Trap are actually in Riverside, not Encampment. Of course those that’ve been there know your can spit from one to the other! lol!
Sad but true, re: Mangy Moose. Bear Trap is tolerable for sure, though. There's that place on the SW of Encampment that's pretty good. None of this helps with the original question. The Saratoga Inn was the only spot open on Memorial Day, and that burger was good -- good beer there, too.
It may not be what the OP asked for, but you build up a mighty big appetite after hauling out an elk, so it kinda does. ;-). As to the other part of your post... what beer ISN’T good? Ha!
If that is your plan. Then look at Walden, Co. They are south of Laramie. On rt. 125. You guys get any, when you drive home. You go to Walden, then take Rt. 14 to Ft. Collins. Hit I-25 south to Denver. Then I-70 east. Just a thought.
Pardon the hijack: Is the Old Corral still open in Centennial? In my college days (early 70's) that place was outstanding for a true steak sandwich. I never make it there when I'm elk hunting now. It's probably a coffee shop or boutique.
Lost Arra, still there and going strong! Great eats! The parking lot, gravel and all, is packed on Fri, Sat nights.
Wyo ... "What beer isn't good?" Well, I'd say Bud Light, but Cnelk would be offended.
Ha, true story!. However, Brad’s an exception. Once you’ve fried enough brain cells, they ALL taste good! lol! Since this thread’s already gone side ways, try a Golden Ale brewed by Pike’s Peak. Awesome taste and 8.9% ABV to boot. Best of both worlds!
Anyone that would pass up a burger and a beer coming out out of elk country is a fool :)