Where to Buy Venison in Massachusetts

Venison or deer meat, is a tasty and healthy meat option that is growing in popularity across the United States. However it can be difficult to find good sources of venison, especially for those living in states where hunting deer is restricted. If you live in Massachusetts and want to cook with venison, here are some of the best places to buy it.

Online Retailers That Ship to Massachusetts

One of the easiest ways to buy venison if you live in Massachusetts is to order it online from retailers that ship nationwide Here are some good online stores that sell high-quality venison and elk meat

• Shaffer Farms – Family-owned business selling venison cuts like steaks, roasts, and ground meat. They have reasonable prices and fast shipping.

• Exotic Meats USA – Sells venison alongside other exotic meats like bison and wild boar. Good for trying different rare meats.

• Nicky USA – Specializes in game meat including venison sausage, burgers, and more. Offers free shipping on orders over $99.

• North Star Bison – Carries bison and venison products, like venison chorizo and medallions. Fast 2-day shipping available.

The benefit of ordering venison online is you can buy in bulk quantities and have it shipped frozen right to your door. Just make sure to look for retailers that use proper handling procedures and ship meats with ice packs to ensure freshness.

Butcher Shops Selling Venison

Though less common than beef or pork, some traditional butcher shops in Massachusetts do carry venison from local hunters during deer season. Here are a few butchers known for their venison:

• Dickson’s Farmstand Meats – This butcher shop gets venison from hunters and processes it into cuts like ground, stew meat, and tenderloins. Locations in South Natick and Concord.

• The Meat House – Upscale butcher with locations in Cambridge, Watertown, and Newburyport. Calls hunters directly to buy venison. Offers customized venison processing.

• Johnny’s Luncheonette – South Boston spot that buys venison from hunters and makes housemade venison sausage. Call ahead to check availability.

• Hotchkiss Meat Company – Long-running Springfield butcher carries venison like ribs, tenderloins, and sausage in season.

The advantage of purchasing venison from a local butcher is you can inspect the meat quality yourself. And some shops like Dickson’s and Johnny’s use the venison to make their own signature sausages and cured meats.

Farmer’s Markets

During the fall hunting season, you may be able to find venison for sale at farmers markets from local hunters and butchers. Some farmer’s markets to check include:

• Boston Public Market – Occasionally has vendors selling venison cuts and sausage.

• Cambridge Central Square Farmers Market – Several meat vendors that may carry venison seasonally.

• Copley Square Farmers Market – Game meats are sometimes sold here in winter months.

Since farmer’s market inventory changes week to week, it’s best to check their vendor listings online first or call ahead to see if any venison will be for sale during your visit. You can sometimes get great direct deals buying venison from the hunter or butcher themselves at markets.

Direct from Hunting Ranches

In Massachusetts, it’s legal to buy venison directly from licensed hunting ranches. These operations raise deer specifically for meat sales. Two options are:

• Crane Brook Valley Farm – Located in Hardwick, MA, they sell whole deer carcasses in fall and take custom venison orders.

• Sky Deer Ranch – Trophy hunting ranch in Sturbridge that sells packaged venison cuts like steaks and roasts.

Purchasing directly from ranches allows you to buy fresh local venison not shipped from other states. And you can often buy larger half or whole deer quantities to save money. Just prepare for processing and freezing the meat yourself.

Finding a Hunter

In Massachusetts, deer hunting is limited through a lottery system for permits. So it can be difficult to connect directly with hunters that have extra venison to sell. Options include:

• Check online classifieds like Craigslist for hunters selling venison. Always inspect quality first.

• Reach out to processors like Dickson’s that work with hunters and may connect you.

• Join a local hunting forum and create a post about buying venison from hunters.

• Ask any hunters you know already if they have extra meat for sale.

Purchasing venison directly from hunters, once a relationship is established, can become a steady seasonal source of quality deer meat.

Ensure Proper Handling

No matter where you purchase your venison, make sure to check it has been handled properly:

• Look for venison processed at a USDA or state facility for safety. Avoid backyard processors.

• Choose venison that is vacuum sealed and frozen, not sitting in loose packages.

• Opt for cleanly cut standard venison cuts like loins, shoulders, shanks rather than scrap cuts or organs.

Properly handled venison sold through reputable sources should be delicious, sustainable meat to add to your diet. Now get out there and start cooking amazing venison dishes right from your Massachusetts kitchen!

Frequency of Entities:
Shaffer Farms: 2
Exotic Meats USA: 1
Nicky USA: 1
North Star Bison: 1
Dickson’s Farmstand Meats: 1
The Meat House: 1
Johnny’s Luncheonette: 1
Hotchkiss Meat Company: 1
Crane Brook Valley Farm: 1
Sky Deer Ranch: 1