Hunters can donate harvested deer to feed the hungry

Hunters can continue to feed the hungry by donating white-tailed deer they harvest to be processed and distributed to charitable organizations in Ohio.

A $25,000 grant from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife to Farmers and Hunters Feeding the Hungry supports local food banks with donated venison. The organization uses the funding to pay for deer harvested by hunters to be processed and distributed to charitable organizations in Ohio. It has worked on securing additional funding to match or exceed the amount provided by the grant.

Farmers and Hunters Feeding the Hungry covers the processing cost for deer donated by hunters. It expects to pay the processing cost for 350 deer with this grant alone, each of which yields approximately 50 pounds of venison and 200 meals.

“I’m proud that the Division of Wildlife and Farmers and Hunters Feeding the Hungry can combine their resources to put even more venison on the table for the people who need it most,” said Division of Wildlife Chief Kendra Wecker.

Hunters who harvest a deer and would like to donate the venison can bring it to one of approximately 30 certified deer processing shops in Ohio, which will process the deer and donate it to a verified charitable organization that offers food assistance for underprivileged individuals and families.

Hunters can find a list of processors participating in the program at feedingthehungry.org. Hunters wishing to donate their deer are not required to pay for the processing of the venison, provided the program has available funds. Quick Cut Deer Processing at 13980 Sycamore Rd., Mount Vernon, and Young’s Locker Service on State Road 514, Danville, are two of the local processors listed as participating.

Ohio’s deer archery hunting season is open until Feb. 5. The muzzleloader season was from Jan. 7 to 10. Hunting licenses and either-sex deer permits are available on the HuntFish OH app, at wildohio.gov or at any license vendor.

The Wild Ohio Harvest Community provides a variety of recipes for deer, turkey, fish and small game. Check out the Wild Ohio Harvest Cookbook for ideas on cooking venison and other wild game.