Juniper Meat Company Wild Game Processing — Local services in Four Corners States

I took seven wild boars here from my Texas trip. I called and met Josh before deciding to drop off my meat. He said he never done wild boars before. I told him they are very lean and I usually have them processed in Texas. The one I use told me they mix 50/50 usda lean. I told this all to Josh and I gave him the processors name and phone number. He said he will call them to find out how much they mix. I did most of meat in brats, some on meat sticks, breakfast sausage, and a few roasts.

I picked up most of it a month or two later. Josh told me he mixed it and confirmed it was great. He didn’t have my meat sticks done. I also left a few shoulders and back straps in a different freezer so I dropped them off to him.

I cooked a set of brats to temp and they were dry and like rubber. I tried another set on slow smoke and pulled out even more under temp to let test. Still dry and rubbery.

I cooked two pounds of the breakfast sausage and it was the same. So dry and rubbery. I called Josh. He mixed with 15% trimmings. I asked if he called the other processor and he said he did not. I wasn’t happy at all.

I asked that he take the remainder of the shoulders and mix them with more trimmings. A 50/50 mix (I haven’t tried this batch yet.)

He texted me and said they found the right mixture and he tested it. Came out moist at the correct temperature and said my order is ready. He did say he would replace the first batch with elk brats. It was a good gesture but nothing like getting your game meat ruined when it could’ve been 100% avoided. I texted back and asked if my meat sticks were done, he said yes.

I drove most two hours to his place. He met me here and brought out my boxes. They all had their contents written in them. I asked if my meat sticks were in there. He said “there must have been a misunderstanding as the casings kept breaking.” This is the first time I am hearing about this. A few days prior he said in text they were done.

Nice guy but very disorganized. Don’t take anything there that you really want back. His only solution was to refund my processing fee or give me a substitute. Ignore the cost of the trip to Texas. Yes, I know that elk is a better meet. It’s about his lack of experience with this meat, the failure to use the information I gave him to process this correctly, the disorganization, and his lack of knowing what is happening in...

Josh and his team at Juniper Meat Company are top notch, easily the best butcher I’ve come across in many western hunts. I reached out to them ahead of time because I understand butchers in this area sometimes stop taking animals during busy seasons. Josh answered all of my questions on logistics (yes they ship, yes they vacuum seal, yes they make a lot of sausage and processed meat products). He guaranteed me a spot ahead of time. When I dropped my elk he was great and his team was thorough. They have a software package for keeping track of customers animals that clearly documents all of the questions a butcher should ask and then it updates you on your status. Had never seen this before and it was great. I got my meat on a timely basis and before that, his team followed up multiple times to make sure they got everything right. They packed my meat in insulated boxes carefully and the vacuum sealing was perfect. I can’t say enough good things about them. As an added bonus, when you drop your meat off, there is a (not affiliated with Juniper) elk farm just outside their back door so you can check out 400” elk as they are checking in...

I had a great experience with Juniper Meats. I have taken my wild game to some other local companies in the past, I even had a favorite butcher up until last year. I had waited 4 months to receive my deer and had to wait even longer for my Jerky. A buddy of mine had told me about Juniper and so I figured I’d give them a shot. Well I’m glad I did because I have found my new favorite. The jerky is awesome and I know that is actually my own harvest. If I could rate more then 5 stars I would. The shop is clean and service was top notch! I will definitely continue to bring juniper my future...