What happened to my backstrap?

[stinkbelly]

I recently had a cow elk processed and I am not sure what happened to my backstrap, but I think I know. I will not post the name of the place that did it, so don't ask.

My cow elk was 500# on the hoof.
She was 350# gutted
The hide was 25#

I ended up with 158# of processed meat.
That was 83# of hamburger and 75# of steaks, roasts, backstrap, jerkey, and meat sticks.

I had 7 roasts from the quarters of varous size.

I quartered the elk and removed the tenderloins and backstraps. They were provided to the processer whole. The backstraps were about 4 feet long and 5 inches in diameter.

I ended up with 3 small ~1 pound backstrap roasts that were about 3" in diameter and about 6-8" long. I also ended up with 7 bacon wrapped backstrap steaks that were 1 1/2" thick and about 3" in diameter. That is ALL the backstrap I got back.

I also did not get my tenderloins back.


What do you think happened to my backstrap? I questioned the processer and he said he cut off any damaged, stringy, or old meat and just kept the best of it as backstrap. I cut it out and there was nothing but perfect meat. The shot was double lung low through the ribs.

I have processed my own deer and I cut the entire backstrap out and then just cut it into steaks. The deer backstrap I have in the freezer is double the diameter of the elk backstrap I got back.

Is it normal to cut down the backstrap to just the core and trash the rest of it?

[Deb]

We didn't get our backstrap from our elk either.

[Cajun Blake]

that's why I process my own meat

I know exactly where it goes and I save a ton of $$$

[Swampa]

It's in his personal freezer? You got deer straps back.

[Blue Tick]

All the more reason I processed the elk I shot 2 weeks ago myself. You hear the horror stories. Sorry this happened to y'all.

I know you said you didn't want to state who it was, but to keep someone else from getting shafted it would be nice if you did.

[stinkbelly]

I forgot to add:

The total weight of the backstrap roasts was 3.4# for all 3 and 4.75# for all the bacon wrapped steaks. So roughly 8 pounds and 30" total from 8 feet of backstrap.

[Grayson]

I might consider working out the per-dollar value of the cost of the meat you are missing (relative to the amount you spent on the trip and/or the replacement value of buying elk meat in the store) and take him to small claims court. People like that need to get the message that it's not okay to steal from customers.

[elkbowhunter]

oh man...sorry to hear. Sure wouldnt go back there. You just dont like to process your own meat? Ive heard some horror stories out there.

[BTLowry]

I would be ******

Either the processor is an idiot and ground the rest of the backstraps or he is a thief and kept most for himself

Even when I take something to the processor I keep the straps and tenders and cut them up and pack them myself.

[MountainMan]

He kept it is my best guess. The processors here are notorious for doing that and then repacking and reselling as "farm raised." How they get away with it, I have no idea. They did the same thing to my axis deer 5 years ago and since then I've cut up every animal I've killed.

[GarGuy]

I forgot to add:

The total weight of the backstrap roasts was 3.4# for all 3 and 4.75# for all the bacon wrapped steaks. So roughly 8 pounds and 30" total from 8 feet of backstrap.

LOL! Those backstraps with out the tenderloins should have been 35lb. Im sure they enjoyed your elk.

[Blue Tick]

Double post....

[Landrover]

So sorry to hear that type of stuff! With the details (very detailed) you provided I would strongly consider what is below. Someone truly needs to put these guys in check. The math does not work.....not even close!

I might consider working out the per-dollar value of the cost of the meat you are missing (relative to the amount you spent on the trip and/or the replacement value of buying elk meat in the store) and take him to small claims court. People like that need to get the message that it's not okay to steal from customers.

Perfect response!!!

[Jaybo31]

Another reason I have now aquired all the tools needed to do my own processing. Gettin hard pressed to find a good honest processor anymore.

[Meatstick]

they ate it! Elk meat is $$$