Basic Butchering of Livestock and Game
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Most people have no idea how the meat on their plate was handled — and that's exactly the problem. This revised and updated classic walks you through every step of humanely slaughtering and butchering beef, veal, pork, lamb, poultry, rabbit and venison, with detailed illustrations that make the process clear even for first-timers. Take control of what you eat with Basic Butchering of Livestock and Game.
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7 animals covered in full, from beef and pork to venison
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Easy-to-follow illustrations for every step of the process
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Revised and updated with over 200,000 copies worldwide
30-Day Money Back Guarantee
Try Basic Butchering of Livestock and Game for a full 30 days. If it doesn't give you the confidence and knowledge to butcher your own meat from start to finish, we'll refund every penny. No questions asked.
Everything You Need to Butcher, Process and Store Your Own Meat
This Book Features
- Butchering Guide
- Homesteading
- Livestock Processing
- Field Dressing
7 Animals Covered in Full
Beef, veal, pork, lamb, poultry, rabbit and venison — all covered with dedicated chapters and step-by-step guidance from slaughter through to freezer.
Detailed Illustrations Throughout
Every major technique is supported by clear, easy-to-follow illustrations so you always know exactly what to do and where to cut.
Slaughter, Skinning and Field Dressing
Learn when and how to slaughter humanely, how to skin and dress different animals, and how to handle game in the field properly.
Aging, Curing, Pickling and Smoking
Goes beyond the cut — covers dry curing, pickling, smoking and aging so you can make the most of every animal you process.
Risk-Free Guarantee
30-Day Money-Back Guarantee. Try it risk-free. If it doesn't give you the confidence to butcher your own meat, we'll refund you in full. No questions asked.
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100% Satisfaction
Fast Shipping
Easy Returns
Risk-Free Guarantee
30-Day Money-Back Guarantee. Try it risk-free. If it doesn't give you the confidence to butcher your own meat, we'll refund you in full. No questions asked.
Claim Now
100% Satisfaction
Fast Shipping
Easy Returns
TrustPilot Reviews
Real experiences from real customers who love our products and services
Processed my first deer with this and it went perfectly
I've been hunting for years but always paid someone else to process the deer. This book gave me the confidence to do it myself and the result was better than anything I got from a processor. The illustrations are incredibly clear and the venison chapter covers everything. Basic Butchering of Livestock and Game is now a permanent part of my hunting kit.
Essential reading for anyone raising their own livestock
We raise our own pigs and chickens and this book has been invaluable. The pork and poultry chapters are thorough, practical and easy to follow even on the day itself. I appreciate that it covers preservation too — the smoking and curing sections are excellent. Basic Butchering of Livestock and Game is the most useful book on our homestead shelf.
Better than any YouTube tutorial I've found
I spent months watching videos online and still felt uncertain about butchering my own beef. This book settled it in a weekend. The step-by-step breakdown with diagrams made everything click in a way video never did. I've since used it for lamb too. Basic Butchering of Livestock and Game is the reference I keep coming back to.
Clear, no-nonsense and genuinely useful
I bought this as a gift for my partner who hunts and farms and he hasn't stopped referencing it since. It's written in plain language without being dumbed down. The recipes at the back are a nice bonus too. Basic Butchering of Livestock and Game is exactly the kind of practical guide that belongs on any homesteader's bookshelf.
Over 200,000 copies sold for a reason
When a book has been in print this long and sold this many copies you know it delivers. I was sceptical at first but it's genuinely one of the clearest and most comprehensive guides I've read. The contamination and food safety sections alone make it worth every penny. Basic Butchering of Livestock and Game earns its reputation completely.
I finally feel self-sufficient in the kitchen and beyond
I live on a small rural property and wanted to stop relying on the supermarket for meat. This book made that possible. Starting with poultry and rabbit, I now feel confident enough to tackle larger animals. The illustrations throughout are what really set it apart. Basic Butchering of Livestock and Game changed how I live and eat.
The authority on the subject, no question
Written by a veterinarian with 30 years of large animal experience, this isn't some amateur guide. The depth of knowledge is evident on every page and the revised edition keeps it current. I've recommended it to everyone in my homesteading community. Basic Butchering of Livestock and Game is the definitive guide on this topic.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need special equipment before I start?
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The book covers the basic tools needed for each animal so you know exactly what to have on hand before you begin. Most of what's required is straightforward and affordable — nothing overly specialised for a beginner starting out.
Is this book suitable for small homesteads raising just a few animals?
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Absolutely. The guidance is just as relevant for someone processing a single pig or a small flock of chickens as it is for larger operations. Many readers use it specifically for small-scale homesteading and find it perfectly suited to that lifestyle.
Does the book cover humane slaughter methods?
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Yes. Humane slaughter is a core focus throughout the book. It walks you through the correct methods for each animal so the process is as quick and stress-free as possible, which also results in better quality meat.
Can I use this book if I only hunt and don't farm?
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Yes. The venison and game sections are fully self-contained and cover everything a hunter needs from field dressing through to final cuts. Many hunters buy this book purely for the deer and wild game guidance and find it invaluable season after season.
How detailed are the illustrations?
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Very detailed. The illustrations show exact cut lines, anatomical landmarks and hand positioning at each stage of the process. They're designed to work alongside the written instructions so you can reference them in real time while you work.
Is this a good gift for someone interested in self-sufficiency?
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It's one of the best practical gifts you can give someone on that path. Whether they're just starting out on a homestead, getting into hunting, or simply wanting to know more about where their food comes from, this book gives them a real and lasting skill.