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Deer and Wild Game Processing
The processing of wild game and deer for local hunters is a long-standing tradition in the rural community.
The Lehr family has been helping friends, farmers and hunters since 1854, when they first began processing wild game and livestock at the farmhouse in Lively Grove, IL.
Today we take pride carrying this important piece of history into future generations, keeping our traditions alive, while also providing excellent service to all our customers no matter where their hunt takes place!
Important reminder: Illinois DNR (Department of Natural Resources) requires Lehr’s to have your tag, permit number and confirmation numbers for hunting deer. We cannot accept or process any deer without this information, so be sure you're prepared before going out onto the field! You must carry these in order to show them at all times - including when transporting your game back home from the hunt and to its final freezer.
Call us any time during business hours at 618-475-2088. After-hours, during hunting season, there will be an alternative phone number on our answering machine to get in touch with one of the staff members and make arrangements for you meet at the shop!
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When do we process deer?
Hunters can bring their deer to be skinned at our location between October 1st until the Sunday of the 1st shotgun season in Illinois. Any and all deer processed outside of this designated time frame must be de-boned prior to arrival.
As Deer Season gets into full swing, let’s not forget that to keep your favorite meat clean and tasty, pack it up properly in food safe containers! Trash bags are NOT food safe containers.
All deer must be properly field dressed. A properly field dressed deer is done immediately removing the rectum/udder, bladder with a clean chest cavity. Keep your buck in a cold, dry place until he arrives here - at our place!
To make things easier on you, we suggest making an appointment with a member of our experienced staff so we can plan for YOU in advance; WE work hard every day but sometimes demand is high--help us, help you.
Perfect Snack for Hunting. Lehr's World Famous Summer Sausage & Smokie Snack Sticks
Good To Know
Suggested Care Instructions for aging old fashioned, cold smoked summer sausage:
One may be tempted to leave their summer sausage in the fridge until they can get “around” to curing it themselves, but this will not allow for proper curing.
Wash your hands thoroughly. Hang your summer sausage as soon you pick it up. For the best environment to cure, hang them far enough apart so they do not touch each other in a controlled environment between 45-70 degrees Fahrenheit with a relative humidity of 40-50%. If a powdery white efflorescence occurs on the sausages just clean off with a solution of vinegar and water. NEVER let your sausage freeze during the curing process.
The general rule of thumb is, at a consistent temperature of around 65 degrees your sausage should be ready to eat in approximately two-and-a-half to three weeks. You should be keeping a very close eye on the sausage after two weeks of hanging. The longer sausage hangs the harder and firmer it gets.
When your summer sausages have reached their perfect firmness, vacuum seal or wrap tightly by using freezer paper before storing away. Please follow FDA recommended guidelines for proper timeframe of refrigeration and freezing to maintain ultimate freshness and flavor.
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Goose Sausage
We have the capability to make a variety of delectable, wild game products from
Geese.
Goose brats, summer sausage and smokie sticks are our favorites to craft for you from this majestic bird. The other great thing about these goose meats is that they cost the same as deer so it's an easy transition for anyone who likes either animal.
We won't be able to start producing our delicious geese until early April though because of Deer Processing.
DISCLAIMER:
ALL GOOSE MEAT MUST BE GROUND TWICE PRIOR TO BEING BROUGHT INTO OUR PLANT.
Reason for this is the steel shot inside of your goose cannot be processed by our grinder and will cause damage to the machine, which is an expensive piece of equipment.
To make things easier on you, we suggest making an appointment with a member of our experienced staff so we can plan for YOU in advance; WE work hard every day but sometimes demand is high--so help us, help you.
Our customers are important to us!
Order the perfect Hunting snack - Lehr's World Famous Summer Sausage & Smokie Snack Sticks