Processing since 1989

Born and raised in Walterboro, South Carolina, Heyward Risher established Risher’s Deer Processing on Yearling Lane in 1989  on the same site it occupies today. 

Gary Malvasio became the owner of Risher’s Deer Processing in 1991 and began expanding the operation. His extensive background in meat cutting and sausage making started in 1972. Gary introduced vacuum packing to the deer processing industry in Lowcountry in order to ensure exceptional quality and freshness for the customers’ harvests. Heyward and Gary continued working closely together for another three years before Heyward’s retirement.

 20 years ago, Risher’s Deer Processing added three smokers to the plant in order to meet the demand for cured and smoked specialty items.

Jesse Ellis became the new owner/operator of Risher’s Deer Processing in 2015, taking over from his grandfather, Gary Malvasio.

An electrical fire inside a cooler forced a closure on to Risher’s and facilities in early October.

These family ties run deep as more family has stepped in to rebuild what once was.

Gary Malvasio's step-son, Ray Ryoti, is the new owner/operator at Risher’s.

Ray worked at Risher's with Gary many years ago, and has been self employed for the last 30 years. We are bringing Risher's back into its prime and eager to serve Low Country deer hunters with premium processing. As with any Business in 2024 we navigate  employment hurdles constantly. We are constantly trying to maintain an efficient process to get your deer processed in the timeliest manner.