Wisconsin River Meats - Meat Processing and 135 Meat Shops throughout Wisconsin

Wisconsin River Meats is a local meat market in Mauston specializing in wild game, meat and deer processing, with 135 retail meat shops throughout Wisconsin selling our brats, venison, summer sausage, landjaeger, and other fresh and smoked meats.

Where to Find Us?

We have compiled a map of all of our retail store outlets that sell our fresh and/or smoked meats. Use the following link to find a an outlet for Wisconsin River Meats near you! -----> Map of Retail Outlets

Company Background

In 1978 the Hamm family of rural Mauston built a meat processing plant to accommodate local livestock producers and sell products using their time tested family recipes. In 1989 the business was sold while operating at full capacity and the Hamm family set its sights on building a new processing plant. A partner agreement was formed between John D. Hamm and former employee David A. Mauer.

John and Dave started this business in 1990. They didn't have any capital to draw on and both worked full time at Coloma Meats and Provisions as salesmen. They started by processing deer during the hunting season out of John's garage and hauling skinned out beef hides 75 miles to a tanning facility.

Looking at the corn field next to the garage they thought "if we build it they will come". By 1993 a small 2,000 square foot processing plant was built and the name Wisconsin River Meats was decided on due to the proximity of the Wisconsin River and Castle Rock Lake. There have been subsequent additions to the plant over the last few years including a recent large scale renovation. Now the plant is over 8,500 square feet and is equipped with the latest in meat processing technology. We have over 20 full time year-round employees and grow up to 35 full time employees during Holidays and the Wisconsin wild game hunting season.

February 5, 2022

Despite a devastating fire that destroyed part of our facility, we demonstrated resilience and determination in our comeback. Co-owner David Mauer described the scene as he arrived to find the building engulfed in flames. Quick-thinking efforts were made to save livestock, computers, and files, with employees salvaging whatever they could. Longtime employee Denise Wee reflected on the heartbreak of losing so much, recounting how we saved small but meaningful items like pictures. Despite the significant loss, Mauer emphasized this as a new beginning for the business. We operated temporarily out of our warehouse, we prioritized customer orders with the help of competitors like Crescent Meats in Cadott, who offered their facilities for processing. Humor, community support, and teamwork played vital roles in their rebuilding efforts. Mauer, bolstered by the support and the spirit of his team, confidently stated their commitment to rebuilding and returning stronger than ever. Now, we are back and better than ever!

Our Mission

Our mission is "to produce quality, safe, and fun food products; and to market them effectively so you can enjoy them!"

Wisconsin River Meats is located in the beautiful Wisconsin River valley, near Castle Rock Lake, in rural Mauston. Production includes manufacturing of specialty sausages, fresh and smoked meats, custom processing, catering to special events and wild game processing

Wisconsin River Meats serves retail, custom processing, wholesale and catering customers throughout Wisconsin and now with our new web site can serve customers throughout the continental United States.

Community Involvement

One of our goals is to be involved in the community and the nation. Wisconsin River Meats belongs to many organizations.

We work with area schools to help educate our young in what animal agriculture is all about. We attend seminars and give speeches, organize events and help portray the long lasting benefits of local agriculture. Wisconsin River Meats gives tours and holds occasional open houses to showcase our facility, products and abilities.

National Federation of Independent Business
Wisconsin Association of Meat Processors
American Association of Meat Processors
Mauston Area Chamber of Commerce
Castle Rock Petenwell Lakes Association
Mauston FFA Alumni
Juneau County Agricultural Society
Mauston Wrestling Club
Outdoors Forever
Whitetails Unlimited
North American Shed Hunters Club
Ducks Unlimited
National Wild Turkey Federation- Lemonweir Longbeards
Hunters Against Hunger
National Rifle Association
Juneau County Republican Party
Mauston Area Economic Development Corporation
New Lisbon Area Chamber of Commerce
Great Lakes Belted Galloway Association
Juneau County Agriculture, Recreation and Industrial Society
The Belted Galloway Society
Necedah Area Chamber of Commerce
Juneau County Economic Development

John serves as an elected official to the Juneau County Board of Supervisors
Dave has served as an elected official to the Mauston City Council

Meat Specialties

Wisconsin River Meats custom processes beef, pork and other species for farmers and livestock producers throughout Wisconsin. Sportsmen throughout Wisconsin and the upper Midwest also recognize Wisconsin River Meats as one of the leading game processors in the State. We process deer all year round and make many varieties of our great tasting venison sausages. We also process elk, moose, buffalo, caribou, antelope and bear for sportsmen and domestic game producers, and we cure and smoke wild turkeys and fish for anglers and smoke and package fish for area fish farms.

Wisconsin River Meats is most well known for its great tasting sausage and smoked meats, particularly our landjeager. Our recipes are a time tested family tradition. We still make our sausages the good old fashioned way. Lean meats, coarse ground, hand tied and hickory smoked. Some other popular varieties that we produce here at our processing facility are our homemade smoked bacon and hams, jerky, and many types of coarse ground bratwurst, summer sausage, wieners, ring bologna and snack sticks.

Wisconsin River Meats also offers a fine selection of fresh or frozen meats including locally raised Wisconsin beef, pork and chicken. Stop into our friendly store located in rural Mauston, Wisconsin and browse all of our different products for sale. While in the store you can order fresh cut beef and pork steaks, pork chops, beef and pork roasts or chicken and watch us cut them fresh to order while you shop. There is a large display here at the store showcasing our locally produced products. Check out our wild game selection of Buffalo, Elk and Venison meats and sausages for sale. We sell bundles and family packs of bulk meats at discount prices. You can order and purchase quarters of beef and half or whole hogs all locally produced. Fresh and frozen meats, cheeses, sausages, Amish butter, beer and soda, rubs, spices, ham and bacon all await you at friendly Wisconsin River Meats.