Great Lakes Custom Meats & More

Great Lakes Custom Meats & More, is located in Howell, Michigan. They specialize in processing beef, pork, elk, and deer as well as they have a local butcher shop and store.

Deer processing

They provide professional, Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) licensed and inspected deer processing with a focus on high-quality cuts, custom options, and specialty venison products. They are also a Hunter's Feeding Michigan deer donation center

Deer must be brought in whole and properly field dressed, as quartered, skinned, or out-of-state wild game is not accepted.

Processing options include different service levels depending on whether customers want all ground venison or a combination of steaks, roasts, backstraps, and ground meat. Specialty products may be added for an additional charge, and caping services are available for shoulder mounts.

Optional services and product options include:

• Hunter Special processing (all ground venison with whole backstraps returned)

• Basic processing (steaks or roasts, custom-cut backstraps, and ground venison)

• Caping for shoulder mount

• Smoked venison hams

• Jerky

• Hunter sticks

• Summer sausage

• Fresh bratwurst

• Fresh breakfast sausage links

• Ground breakfast sausage

Elk Processing:

Great Lakes Custom Meats also offer professional elk processing.  Processing includes aging the meat after skinning, custom cutting of steaks, roasts, backstraps, and tenderloins, with remaining trim ground.

Specialty products are available by minimum batch orders, and jerky may be ordered in smaller batches. Additional services are available for skinning and caping, including preparation for shoulder mounts or saving hides for rugs or blankets.

Optional services and product options include:

• Elk deboning and processing

• Elk skinning

• Elk caping (for shoulder mount or hide saving)

• Specialty elk products ordered in batch amounts:

  • Snack sticks

  • Summer sausage

  • Breakfast links

  • Sausage / bratwurst

• Jerky

It is recommended that all hunters call the store before dropping off your deer so you can ask questions about drop off procedures, cost, and estimated processing timelines.

User Experiences & Reviews

Positive Reviews

Customers frequently talk about the knowledge and professionalism of the staff. Several reviews highlight the cleanliness of the facility and the thoroughness of the processing.

Criticisms

A few reviews mentioned that there were delays in getting their meat back, which is a common criticism in the industry due to the seasonal nature of hunting seasons. Most reviews are overwhelmingly positive, but it is best to inquire in advance regarding estimated processing times.