I've read that deer legs are too hard to feed but what about ribs? I have access to tons of deer bones right now. These would be used as recreational bones - not part of a meal.

Hi Barbara:
I feed deer ribs as part of my dogs' regular RMB meals this time of year. I wouldn't consider them to be "recreational" for larger dogs (or even my Min Pin), as they will consume rib bones completely. I feed deer rib bones in intact sections of 3 or 4 bones. I don't feed any of the other deer bones, but I know people who do.

Barbara and Konnie, I'm jealous. I would love to get my hands on some deer!

I only sporadically got venison for my dogs until last year when I sought out a large game butcher. He's happy to give me all the scraps I can handle, which is a heck of a lot during gun season. My freezers are full, and I'll have the option to get venison (and moose occasionally too!) through January.

If you live anywhere near an area where people hunt deer, moose, elk, etc., find out where they take the game to be processed (I asked at our local feed/hardware store). It has to happen somewhere, and chances are the butcher will be happy to have somebody take the extras off his hands.

Thanks guys. This butcher unfortuntely feeds his dogs all the meat scraps from the deer he processes (he did 46 today!) and the deer have to be gutted prior to coming to him. I'm going to ask for the names of a few of his hunters to see if I can get in on the organs. Ribs it is!

I don't think anyone has game meat around here... but I did find a few butchers I didn't know were in the area! Scraps here I come!

 Quote: Barbara Schuler

I'm going to ask for the names of a few of his hunters to see if I can get in on the organs.

The guys at the local hardware store keep organs from their hunted deer for me. Last week I picked up a bag of liver and heart. I'm really amazed that they will go through the hassle of packaging that stuff up and bringing it to the store for me. Nice guys, and it's much appreciated. I'm sure you'll find some hunters who are just as generous.

 Quote: Katie Finlay

I don't think anyone has game meat around here... but I did find a few butchers I didn't know were in the area! Scraps here I come!

Awesome!

It’s been an exciting weekend here. Grey Cup Football and hunting. Bob got his deer!! We were busy getting it out (no ATV area), hanging, skinning and severing parts. Off to the butcher this morning.

As far as the lower deer legs go, my boys LOVE them and devour them, usually within a couple of hours. The hooves are always last but they love those too. This is one recreational bone that Vince also goes coo coo for. Unlike Moose legs, which are much larger and I do give them, but they just eat the meat and skin off those. Got quite a few pictures but not of the boys eating these particular legs. We tossed them to them as we were skinning it on our property and they were gone by the time we left.

Around here, if hunters are lucky enough to go after the does (must have a draw) and they have a fawn with them, the ethical hunters will cut their tags with the fawn, rather than the momma, as the baby won’t survive our winter without her. Often these little guys aren’t very big (great eating though) and just about all the bones are perfect for rmbs.

Depending on the size of the deer and lower leg bone structure, your bigger dogs that are used to devouring bones, usually don’t have problems with them. Moose, Elk and larger deer, a bit of a different story, but it really all depends on the size. Again, a baby moose has a lot more edible dog bones than a yearling or full grown one.

We’ve never had a chipped tooth; however, we may just be lucky. I like to think my boys know their capabilities though and the bare moose/elk leg bones that I toss away, kind of proves that to me. Of course all dogs are different.

Maybe talk to your butcher about the smaller deer that come in and see if the smaller legs are something Falcon can handle. Again, my guys love them!!

Thanks CJ - I'll see if he can cut off the upper part of the larger legs so that I can relax and give the dogs that option. I KNOW they will love them!