Not a big fan of venison here either (it's ok). Like moose much better. Most assuredly, we were doing it for the meat though. One year coincided with a hypo phase, and I was all into tanning the hide (in traditional non-modern style, but of course...), but it turned out I was in over my (even hypo ) head and I ended up taking it to folks who did that all the time. Picked up antlers one time to make tool handles too. Name a hand-crafted endeavor and I've probably taken it on, lol!