Dunmore Deer Processing Center Runs on Family Tradition

Dunmore, Lackawanna County - Thousands of hunters from all across northeastern and central Pennsylvania have now come home from the first day of rifle deer season.

Many consider Monday to be an "unofficial" holiday in Pennsylvania.

For hunters lucky enough to bag a buck, most will visit a deer processing facility near their home where business is often brisk.

The Sibio family in Dunmore has been running one such processing center on Gibbons Street for decades.

For the next two weeks, Jody Sibio and his uncle John will be busy processing dozens of deer that are brought into their shop.

"We do it, more or less, for tradition," Jody Sibio said. "It's good to see our old friends once in a while."

While Jody has been at it for roughly 20 years, John Sibio has been going strong for more than 50 years. He is a butcher by trade.

Like many families that head out into the woods together, the Sibio family stays behind and harvests together.

"For me, it's just family right here," John Sibio said. "We've been doing it and staying together. We're all happy."

On the first day of rifle deer season, the Sibio's were busy getting their customers meat cut the way they want it, whether it be for stew meat, steaks or chops.

With a picture of the late Bob Sibio, who started the business hanging on the wall, the Sibio family members say most hunters don't even call when they've got their deer.

"Some new customers will call first. They'll get our number and call. The other guys, they just show up. They know we're here," Jody Sibio said.

For John Sibio, he says seeing other families share the love of hunting is what keeps him motivated.

"I feel like 20 years younger when I get a father and son in here with a deer. It's just very nice," John Sibio said.