Proudly Local Business: Bear Butchering near Pincher Creek

"I knew that this business would complement our lifestyle and provide what we need as a family. We started out with that in mind."

For many Alberta hunters, hunting is about more than just the food. It’s about tradition, pride, and the connection between land and table. But getting from the field to the table takes skill—and a trusted butcher who respects the game, understands the craft, and offers truly personalized service.

That’s where Bear Butchering comes in.

For owner Bjorn Anderson, what began as a practical idea has grown into something much more meaningful: a way of life grounded in family, hard work, and community.

A lifelong hunter himself, Bjorn studied meat cutting at NAIT and gained experience working in local butcher shops. When the town’s butcher closed its doors in 2014, Bjorn and his wife Allison saw an opportunity to fill a local need and build something of their own.

“We have a lot of hunting around here, so game processing is in high demand in the area,” says Bjorn. “And I knew that this business would complement our lifestyle and provide what we need as a family. We started out with that in mind.”

That family-first focus has been at the heart of Bear Butchering ever since. The business is run primarily by Bjorn and Allison, with help from their five kids – each of whom has grown up learning the ropes. “They’ve worked here since they weren’t even remotely old enough,” jokes Bjorn. “They’re very helpful, and as they get older, they learn more and more of the skills that are needed.”

During the busy hunting season, neighbours often step in to lend a hand, with as many as five people working in the shop six days a week.

Bear Butchering specializes almost entirely in custom meat processing, working with both local ranchers and hunters. Roughly 60 to 70 per cent of their work comes from wild game. “Hunters will bring an animal they’ve harvested… and we’ll process it how they want – whether it’s fresh cuts or sausage, smoked sausage, pepperoni sticks or jerky.”

The work is seasonal by nature, something the Andersons have come to appreciate. “Sometimes I’m half-timing here. Sometimes I’m full-time. And through hunting season, I’m pretty much double-timed,” Bjorn says. That ebb and flow allows for a balance that fits their family’s lifestyle perfectly.

But the journey hasn’t been without hardship. Years ago, a fire destroyed the Andersons’ home and their original butcher shop beneath it. “It (had) a huge impact on us,” Bjorn says. “It was really a turning point, and we had to decide, ‘Are we going to keep doing this or go in a different direction?’”

With the encouragement of neighbours, friends and loyal customers, the family chose to rebuild – this time with a larger shop on their property. “The support we had after the fire really inspired us to continue on,” says Bjorn. “And the support we received after we built the new shop confirmed it was a good decision.”

That community support has become a cornerstone of Bear Butchering’s story. The Andersons are known not just for their work, but for the relationships they’ve built. “It’s a very personalised and relational service we provide,” Bjorn says. “All of our customers meet me and my family and they can see exactly what we’re doing.”

"One of our biggest enjoyments is the relationships we have with our customers and seeing them happy with the service we're providing."

Bjorn’s pride in his community runs deep. Bjorn’s wife grew up on the same land where they live and work today, and together they’ve become active participants in local life, volunteering at local camps and events throughout town. “It’s a small, close community here and everybody helps each other when they need it,” says Bjorn.

That sense of belonging is what makes the long hours and hard work worthwhile. “I find the work satisfying. I can see the product we’re producing materialise right in front of me,” Bjorn says. “But one of our biggest enjoyments is the relationships we have with our customers and seeing them happy with the service we’re providing.”