Wisconsin’s rich hunting tradition has made game processing an essential service for many outdoor enthusiasts in the state. From venison to wild turkey, proper processing ensures the meat is prepared safely and efficiently for consumption.
The best game processors in Wisconsin offer a combination of expertise, quality equipment, and attention to detail to deliver superior results. These establishments often provide a range of services, including custom cuts, sausage making, and specialty products tailored to hunters’ preferences. Many have decades of experience and use time-tested techniques alongside modern food safety practices.
1) The Pfister Hotel Game Feast
The Pfister Hotel in Milwaukee hosts an annual Game Feast that celebrates wild game cuisine. This unique culinary event showcases various dishes prepared with locally sourced game meats.
Skilled chefs at the hotel’s restaurants create innovative recipes featuring venison, pheasant, duck, and other game. The feast typically occurs in the fall, coinciding with hunting seasons in Wisconsin.
Guests can enjoy multiple courses highlighting different game preparations. Dishes often incorporate seasonal ingredients and traditional Wisconsin flavors to complement the game meats.
The Game Feast offers an opportunity to experience fine dining centered around wild game in an elegant, historic setting. It attracts food enthusiasts and hunters alike who appreciate game cuisine.
Reservations are recommended for this popular event, as seating is limited. The Pfister Hotel’s Game Feast provides a distinctive way to savor Wisconsin’s hunting traditions through gourmet preparations.
The Pfister Hotel
424 East Wisconsin Ave.
Milwaukee, WI 53202
Phone: (414) 273-8222
Website: www.thepfisterhotel.com
2) Wilderness Resort Laser Tag
Wilderness Resort in Wisconsin Dells offers an exciting laser tag experience called Lost Cabin Laser Tag. Located inside Dodge ’em City in the Wild West region of the resort, this attraction features a 3,000 square foot arena spanning three stories.
The laser tag system uses state-of-the-art equipment with interactive targets. Players can engage in thrilling battles with up to 20 participants simultaneously. The arena’s black-light, outdoor-inspired theme creates an immersive environment for players.
Lost Cabin Laser Tag incorporates unique elements like a hovering helicopter arena target. The Gen7 laser tag system provides reliable and feature-rich gameplay. This heart-pounding activity is suitable for families and groups looking for an adrenaline-pumping adventure.
The laser tag arena is just one of many attractions at Wilderness Resort. Visitors can enjoy other activities like zip lining, go-karting, and escape rooms during their stay.
Wilderness Resort
511 E Adams St, Wisconsin Dells, WI 53965
Phone: (800) 867-9453
Website: www.wildernessresort.com
3) Timber Rattlers Baseball
The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers offer an exciting baseball experience in Appleton. As a Minor League Baseball team, they provide affordable family entertainment and showcase up-and-coming talent.
The team plays at Neuroscience Group Field, a modern stadium with a capacity of 5,900 fans. The venue offers excellent sightlines and amenities for spectators of all ages.
Timber Rattlers games feature various promotions and themed nights throughout the season. These events add extra fun to the baseball action, enhancing the overall experience for attendees.
The team serves as the Class A affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers. This connection allows fans to see potential future Major League players as they develop their skills.
Attending a Timber Rattlers game is a popular summer activity for locals and visitors alike. The friendly atmosphere and competitive play make it an enjoyable outing for baseball enthusiasts and casual fans.
Wisconsin Timber Rattlers
Neuroscience Group Field
2400 North Casaloma Drive, Appleton, WI 54913
Phone: (920) 733-4152
Website: milb.com/wisconsin
4) Badger Game Labs
Badger Game Labs is a renowned analytical laboratory in Wisconsin specializing in food processing and environmental testing. With over 50 years of experience, they have established themselves as a trusted provider of accurate and reliable analytical services.
The lab offers comprehensive testing for various samples, including groundwater, wastewater, drinking water, soil, sludge, food, and tissue. Their expertise is particularly valuable to Wisconsin’s large food processing industry, where they serve as one of the primary analytical providers.
Badger Game Labs prides itself on its commitment to customers and the Wisconsin environment. They offer a range of services, including drinking and well water test kits, which are known for their accuracy and reliability.
The lab’s dedication to precision and customer service has made them a go-to choice for businesses and individuals seeking high-quality analytical testing in Wisconsin. Their long-standing presence in the state has contributed to their reputation as a reliable partner in ensuring food safety and environmental protection.
Address: 1035 Cambridge Ave, Madison, WI 53704
Phone: (608) 241-7149
Website: www.badgerlabs.com
5) Lake Wisconsin Cruises
Lake Wisconsin Cruises offers scenic boat tours on the beautiful waters of Lake Wisconsin. Passengers can enjoy views of the surrounding landscape and wildlife from the comfort of the cruise vessel.
The company provides various tour options to suit different preferences and schedules. Daytime cruises allow visitors to take in the scenery and learn about the area’s history and ecology from knowledgeable guides.
Evening cruises offer a chance to witness stunning sunsets over the lake. Some tours may include food and beverage options, adding to the overall experience.
Lake Wisconsin Cruises caters to both individuals and groups, making it suitable for family outings, romantic dates, or special events. Reservations are recommended, especially during peak tourist seasons.
Lake Wisconsin Cruises
N1401 Hwy V
Lodi, WI 53555
Phone: (608) 592-2626
Website: www.lakewisconsincruises.com
6) Wisconsin Dells Adventure Park
Tom Foolery’s Adventure Park offers 100,000 square feet of indoor entertainment in Wisconsin Dells. The park features a variety of attractions suitable for all ages.
Visitors can enjoy thrilling activities like a ropes course, climbing wall, and indoor zipline. For those seeking more traditional fun, the park offers bowling, laser tag, and mini golf.
A massive arcade with nearly 200 games provides endless entertainment. The park’s centerpiece is a six-story Ferris wheel, adding a touch of classic amusement park charm.
Families and groups can celebrate special events at Tom Foolery’s. The park offers party packages and has dining options available for guests.
Tom Foolery’s Adventure Park
110 Wisconsin Dells Parkway South, Wisconsin Dells, WI 53965
Phone: (608) 254-7500
Website: www.tomfoolerys.com
7) Cheesehead Bowling
Cheesehead Bowling is a unique Wisconsin attraction that combines two beloved state traditions: bowling and cheese. This quirky sport involves participants wearing iconic foam cheesehead hats while bowling.
The game follows standard bowling rules, but players must keep their cheeseheads on throughout the match. This adds an extra layer of challenge and hilarity to the experience.
Several bowling alleys across Wisconsin offer Cheesehead Bowling nights, typically during Green Bay Packers football season. These events often feature cheese-themed snacks and drinks to complement the atmosphere.
Participants can win prizes for high scores or most creative cheesehead decorations. Some venues even host tournaments where teams compete for cheese-related trophies or gift baskets filled with local Wisconsin cheese products.
Cheesehead Bowling has gained popularity among locals and tourists alike. It offers a fun way to embrace Wisconsin’s cheese culture while enjoying a classic American pastime.
This unique activity showcases the state’s ability to blend humor, sports, and culinary traditions into an entertaining social event. It’s become a staple of Wisconsin’s recreational scene, drawing cheese enthusiasts and bowling fans from far and wide.
8) Devil’s Lake State Park Camping Games
Devil’s Lake State Park offers a variety of camping games for visitors to enjoy during their stay. The park’s scenic beauty provides an ideal backdrop for outdoor activities and friendly competition.
Campers can engage in classic games like horseshoes or cornhole near their campsites. Many bring portable volleyball nets to set up in open areas for impromptu matches.
Nature-based scavenger hunts are popular among families, encouraging children to explore the park’s diverse flora and fauna. Participants search for specific plants, rocks, or animal tracks listed on a prepared checklist.
For those who prefer quieter pursuits, card games and board games are common choices around the campfire. Some campers organize group trivia nights, testing knowledge of nature, local history, or general topics.
Glow-in-the-dark frisbee or capture the flag games add excitement after sunset. Players use glow sticks or LED-lit equipment for visibility and safety.
Geocaching enthusiasts can participate in this high-tech treasure hunt throughout the park, using GPS coordinates to locate hidden caches.
Devil’s Lake State Park
S5975 Park Rd, Baraboo, WI 53913
Phone: (608) 356-8301
Website: dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/parks/devilslake
9) Old World Wisconsin Historical Games
Old World Wisconsin offers visitors a unique opportunity to experience historical games from the 19th and early 20th centuries. This living history museum brings the past to life through interactive exhibits and hands-on activities.
Visitors can participate in traditional baseball games played by the Waukesha Diamonds, a team that follows 1900s rules. These matches provide an authentic glimpse into early American sports culture.
The museum also features various period-appropriate games and activities throughout its 600-acre site. Guests can try their hand at popular 19th-century pastimes, offering insight into leisure activities of the era.
Children and adults alike can enjoy collecting eggs from heritage breed animals, representing livestock common in 1800s Wisconsin. This activity provides a fun and educational experience for families.
Old World Wisconsin’s historical games and activities allow visitors to immerse themselves in the daily life and recreation of Wisconsin’s early settlers. These engaging experiences bring history to life in a memorable way.
Old World Wisconsin
W372 S9727 Highway 67, Eagle, WI 53119
Phone: (262) 594-6301
Website: oldworldwisconsin.wisconsinhistory.org
10) Harley-Davidson Museum Interactive Displays
The Harley-Davidson Museum in Milwaukee offers engaging interactive displays that bring motorcycle history to life. Visitors can experience the thrill of customizing their own virtual Harley through the Build-a-Bike exhibit.
This hands-on activity allows guests to select parts from historic models and create a unique motorcycle design. Each completed virtual bike receives a special number and is showcased in the museum’s Virtual Road gallery.
The museum’s exhibits showcase the evolution of Harley-Davidson motorcycles from their humble beginnings to global icon status. Guests can explore over 450 motorcycles and thousands of artifacts spanning the company’s 120-year history.
Interactive elements throughout the museum provide opportunities to learn about motorcycle mechanics, design, and culture. These displays cater to both motorcycle enthusiasts and curious visitors alike.
Harley-Davidson Museum
400 West Canal Street, Milwaukee, WI 53203
Phone: 1-877-436-8738
Website: https://www.harley-davidson.com/us/en/museum.html
Understanding Game Processing in Wisconsin
Game processing in Wisconsin involves proper handling and preparation of wild game meat. It requires adherence to specific regulations and guidelines to ensure food safety and quality.
Regulations and Guidelines
Wisconsin has strict rules for game processing. Hunters must field dress animals and register them before processing. Quick refrigeration is crucial to prevent spoilage and maintain meat quality.
Dedicated facilities like Bunzel’s in Milwaukee offer professional game processing services. Their location at 7828 W. Burleigh St. specializes in wild game preparation.
Processors must follow food safety protocols. This includes proper sanitation, temperature control, and equipment maintenance. Cross-contamination prevention is essential when handling different animal species.
Wisconsin encourages ethical hunting practices. Hunters are responsible for using as much of the animal as possible. Many processors offer various cuts and products to maximize meat utilization.
Local butchers often provide custom processing options. These may include specialty cuts, sausage making, and jerky preparation. Some offer vacuum sealing for long-term storage.
Tools and Techniques for Efficient Game Processing
Proper equipment and a systematic approach are crucial for effective game processing. These elements ensure safety, quality, and efficiency throughout the process.
Essential Equipment
A sharp hunting knife is indispensable for field dressing and butchering. Choose a high-quality, fixed-blade knife with a 3-4 inch blade for precision cuts. Disposable gloves protect hands and maintain hygiene.
A bone saw aids in separating joints and cutting through tougher parts. Sturdy game bags help transport meat safely while allowing it to cool. A clean work surface, like a stainless steel table, provides a hygienic processing area.
For long-term storage, vacuum sealers preserve meat quality and prevent freezer burn. A reliable scale ensures accurate portioning of processed meat.
Step-by-Step Process
Field dressing should occur immediately after the harvest. Remove internal organs carefully to prevent contamination. Cool the carcass quickly, ideally below 40°F within 4 hours.
At home, skin the animal and remove any remaining organs. Rinse the carcass thoroughly with cold water. Quarter the animal for easier handling.
Remove large muscle groups first, then trim away fat and connective tissue. Cut meat into desired portions based on intended use. Grind tougher cuts for sausage or burgers.
Package meat in portion-sized amounts. Label each package with the cut and date. Freeze promptly at 0°F or below for optimal preservation.