Maxwell Custom Beef: 2025–2026 Deer Processing Season

We look forward to serving hunters this season and wish you a safe and successful hunt! Please review the following guidelines carefully — they are in place to comply with Iowa DNR regulations, State of Iowa Code, and food safety best practices.

General Policies

• 100% deposit required at time of drop off

• Customers will be notified when their order is complete

• Orders must be picked up within 5 days of notification or will incur a $10.00 per box per day storage fee.

• Product left beyond 30 days will be considered abandoned and will become the property of Maxwell Custom Beef.

• We do not accept quartered deer or bone-in portions of deer.

• Other game animals accepted: Boned-out elk ($700), antelope (same as deer), or bear ($450). Price does not include adding seasonings

• We cannot accept deer tested for CWD until negative results are received. If your deer tests positive, you must properly dispose of the meat.

• Per IDNR Statute 481A.57, boned-out meat from last season cannot be accepted. Legally, you may only possess venison until September 1 of the following season. Bring your current-season DNR tag for verification.

We do not accept HUSH Deer

Hunters outside the State of Iowa– CWD Regulations

If you harvest a deer from any state’s CWD Management Zone, you must bone out the meat before transport into Iowa. If your deer was tested for CWD, you must wait for negative results before bringing the meat in.

From Iowa DNR:

Hunters cannot transport the whole carcass of any cervid from a CWD-infected area into Iowa. Only boned-out meat, a cape, and antlers attached to a cleaned skull plate are legal.

Full Carcass Deer Processing

• Accepted: Field-dressed full carcass deer with hide on.

• Must be tagged properly:

• Wide tag (transportation tag) — attached to head.

• Thin tag — attached to leg.

• Do not cut hind leg tendons — a $60 handling fee will apply if cut.

• Processing fee: $200 straight cut (skinning, boning, grinding, and/or straight cuts). full deposit required at deer drop off.

Boned-Out Deer (Specialty Products & Ground Only)

• Current-season meat only — bring your DNR tag for verification.

• Must arrive in clear food-grade bags or containers — no garbage bags. 

• We do not accept ground deer meat.

• Pork trim or Beef trim can be added at a 3:1 deer-to-trim ratio

• Deposit: 100% due at check-in.

• Poor-quality or improperly handled meat will be discarded and the deposit will be non refundable.
  

Reminder: Following these guidelines ensures your venison is processed legally, safely, and to the highest quality standards. Thank you for choosing Maxwell Custom Beef — and good luck this season!