Animal Processing Class
Mindset, Strategy & Practicum

With everything from theory to demonstration to participation!

In this all-day class we will cover all you need to know to have a firm foundation in animal processing – whether from hunted, butchered or acquired animals.

First Session 1pm-3pm:

• mindset around acquiring an animal
• complete and sustainable use of the animal to minimize waste
• tools needed
• preparing an animal repurposing kit for your vehicle
• size considerations
• processing station considerations
• butchering needs
• cooking considerations
• long term storage discussion

Second Session 3:30-6pm:

We will process 1-2 rabbits (depending on class size) from our homestead – from dispatching, skinning, processing, and storage. All processing will take place outdoors.

Objective:

This class will give you practical skills to begin your journey to acquiring, repurposing and dispatching animals. While we will use a small animal in this class, the principles here give you a good foundation to use with animals from small sized (squirrels, chickens, rabbits, etc) up to large sized (deer, bear, elk). And, there will be plenty of discussion and time for questions to go over various strategies of utilizing all parts of the animal (food, clothing, artwork, tools, traps, utilitarian uses…)

About Your Instructor Bill Parravano:

I began studying primitive skills around 2004/5 with Tom Brown, Jr at The Tracker School in the Pine Barrens of Southern New Jersey. I’ve studied with a lot of different instructors, including Richard Cleveland, Colbert Sturgeon (and yes, he lives this way, I have visited him several times), Kevin Reeves, Billy McConnell, a Dakota Sioux Elder from South Dakota, as well as plenty of studying, trials and failures on my own. I taught at a number of the Southeast Primitive Skills Gatherings from 2014 – 2020 including Earthskills Rendevous, Firefly, the Florida Earthskills Gathering, and the Piedmont Earthskills Gathering. I have tried to find the balance between living off-grid with zero power and the necessary evil of technology that allows for the bills to be paid. I strive to integrate practical skills into my life which are pragmatic and useful. I saw animal processing as the “gateway” skill to acquiring resources for the all the other skills I wanted to learn. I hope you will benefit from my experiences and lessons learned!

Notes

• Bring a pen and notebook…You may wish to take notes.
• Wear clothes you don’t mind getting “dirty.”
• Bring snacks and drinks. We will take a 30 min break between sessions. Water will be provided
• If you sign up for a class and can’t make it, your payment will be credited towards a future offering.

Fee:

$90 or THREE-1oz Silver Coins