There's real satisfaction in filling your own freezer and knowing you did it right. For decades — and over 180,000 copies — this has been the trusted guide that makes it possible. Written by a veterinarian, it walks you clearly through processing your own beef, pork, lamb, poultry, rabbit, and venison, from field to freezer.
Basic Butchering: Livestock & Game
After reading, you will:
- Confidently process beef, veal, pork, lamb, poultry, rabbit, and venison from start to finish
- Set up the right tools and workspace, and follow clear step-by-step guidance even as a first-timer
- Cut, wrap, and store your meat properly so it stays fresh and nothing goes to waste
- Save money, gain self-reliance, and know exactly how your food was handled from field to freezer
Physical Copy Made in USA
30-Day Money Back Guarantee
That's how confident we are in your purchase. But if you're not satisfied, simply contact us within 30 days for a full refund.
Joshua L.
I raised two hogs this year and had no idea how I was actually going to process them. This book walked me through the whole thing. It's clear, matter-of-fact, and doesn't assume you already know what you're doing. I got clean cuts, wasted almost nothing, and saved a small fortune not paying a processor. Wish I'd had it the first year I started homesteading. One of the best purchases I've made.
The Guide That Takes You Through Every Step of Processing Your Own Meat
Other books cover one animal or one method. This one covers the whole craft — the tools, the technique, and every major animal — woven into one trusted guide you'll come back to season after season.
Just keep it within reach — you'll turn to it every time you bring home a deer, raise a hog, or fill your freezer for the year ahead.
Beef & Veal
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Clear, step-by-step guidance for processing beef and veal, from initial dressing through breaking the carcass down into the familiar cuts your family will actually use.
Pork & Lamb
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How to process your own hogs and lambs with confidence — cutting, trimming, and preparing every part, so nothing goes to waste and your freezer fills with quality cuts.
Tools & Equipment
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Everything you need to get started — the essential knives, saws, and equipment, plus how to set up a clean, safe workspace so you can do the job properly from day one.
Poultry & Rabbit
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Practical instructions for smaller livestock — dressing and preparing poultry and rabbit cleanly and efficiently, ideal for the homesteader raising their own.
Venison & Wild Game
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The hunter's essential reference — how to field dress, skin, and butcher your deer and wild game properly, turning your harvest into well-cut, freezer-ready meat.
Cutting, Wrapping & Storage
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The final steps that protect all your work — how to cut, wrap, and store your meat correctly so it stays fresh, avoids freezer burn, and lasts through the year.
THIS BOOK HELPS WITH
- Home Meat Processing
- Field Dressing Game
- Cutting & Portioning
- Wrapping & Freezing
- Saving on the Butcher
WHAT YOU'LL DISCOVER INSIDE THIS GUIDE
Discover the qualities that make this the home reference homesteaders and hunters have trusted above all others for decades.
WHAT YOU'LL DISCOVER INSIDE THIS GUIDE
Discover the qualities that make this the home reference homesteaders and hunters have trusted above all others for decades.
A Complete Reference, All in One Place
From tools and workspace to processing every major animal, cutting, wrapping, and storage, it covers the whole craft in a single volume — so you have everything you need on one shelf instead of scattered across a dozen sources.
Practical Enough for a First-Timer
This isn't vague theory. It's clear, matter-of-fact guidance written for real people doing the work themselves for the first time — simple, step-by-step, and easy to follow when you've got an animal in front of you.
Covers Seven Animals, Not Just One
Beef, veal, pork, lamb, poultry, rabbit, and venison — all in one book. Whether you're raising livestock or bringing home a deer, the guidance you need is right there in a single trusted volume.
Written by a Veterinarian, Trusted for Decades
With over 180,000 copies in print and authored by a veterinarian, this is a proven, authoritative reference — the dependable manual homesteaders, hunters, and small farmers keep coming back to year after year.
More Than Just A Book It's the Trusted Guide to Filling Your Freezer With Confidence
RISK-FREE Guarantee
We're so confident you'll love this guide that we back it with a full 30-day money-back guarantee. If you're not completely satisfied with your purchase — return it for a complete refund. No questions asked.
get yours today!
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RISK-FREE Guarantee
We're so confident you'll love this guide that we back it with a full 30-day money-back guarantee. If you're not completely satisfied with your purchase — return it for a complete refund. No questions asked.
get yours today!
100% Satisfaction
Fast Shipping
Easy Returns
what customers are saying
Real feedback from homesteaders, hunters, and first-timers who filled their freezers with confidence.
Daniel,
41
Verified Buyer
I raised my first hogs this year and had no clue how I was going to process them. This book walked me through the whole thing, step by step, no assumptions. I got clean cuts, wasted almost nothing, and saved a fortune skipping the processor. Wish I'd had it my first year homesteading. Worth every penny.
Nathan,
38
Verified Buyer
I usually give up on reference books quickly, but this one kept me hooked. The instructions are clear and genuinely actionable — I've already used it on poultry and a lamb. It feels like a complete, time-tested manual for anyone who wants to raise or hunt their own food and handle it properly.
Amanda,
41
Verified Buyer
I bought this for my husband, who's been hunting for years but always paid to have his deer processed. He hasn't put it down. He came to me afterward saying it was the most useful reference he'd ever owned. This season he did it all himself — and the freezer's never looked better. One of the best gifts I've given him.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this book actually about?
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It's a complete home reference for slaughtering and butchering your own meat. Written by veterinarian John J. Mettler, it covers beef, veal, pork, lamb, poultry, rabbit, and venison — from tools and technique through cutting, wrapping, and storage — so you can process your own animals with confidence.
What topics are covered inside?
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The guide covers the whole craft: the tools and equipment you'll need, humane handling, step-by-step processing for seven different animals, and how to cut, wrap, and store your meat properly so nothing goes to waste. It's a comprehensive, all-in-one reference.
Will this help me if I've never done it before?
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Absolutely. The instructions are clear, matter-of-fact, and written for real first-timers — no prior experience assumed. Whether you're a new homesteader or processing your first deer, it walks you through each step so you can do the job properly and with confidence.
Does it cover both livestock and wild game?
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Yes. It covers farm-raised livestock — beef, veal, pork, lamb, poultry, and rabbit — as well as venison and wild game, making it just as useful for the homesteader raising their own animals as for the hunter bringing home a deer.
Can I buy multiple copies as a gift?
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Of course. Many customers buy more than one — one for themselves and others for a hunting buddy, a fellow homesteader, or family getting started with self-sufficiency. It's a practical, lasting gift any hands-on food producer will value.
What if I'm not satisfied with my purchase?
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We offer a full 30-day money-back guarantee. If you're not completely satisfied for any reason, simply contact us within 30 days for a complete refund — no questions asked.
What topics are covered inside?
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The guide covers the whole craft: the tools and equipment you'll need, humane handling, step-by-step processing for seven different animals, and how to cut, wrap, and store your meat properly so nothing goes to waste. It's a comprehensive, all-in-one reference.
Does it cover both livestock and wild game?
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Yes. It covers farm-raised livestock — beef, veal, pork, lamb, poultry, and rabbit — as well as venison and wild game, making it just as useful for the homesteader raising their own animals as for the hunter bringing home a deer.
What if I'm not satisfied with my purchase?
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We offer a full 30-day money-back guarantee. If you're not completely satisfied for any reason, simply contact us within 30 days for a complete refund — no questions asked.