EDITOR’S NOTE: This story was originally published by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.
COLUMBUS — There are several organizations in Ohio fighting hunger by helping hunters donate a portion or all of their venison to those who need it.
The Division of Wildlife wishes to thank you, the Ohio hunter, for making a difference by donating your venison to the hungry of our state.
Deer donation drive
Dec. 1 & 2, Monday & Tuesday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
The Ohio Division of Wildlife is helping turn hunter-donated deer into meals for local families in need. One deer can provide 160 meals! To participate, drop off your harvest at one of the locations below from 8am to 8pm. Division of Wildlife staff will be present to assist you. There is no fee to donate to this program.
Delaware Shooting Range
1110 OH-229, Ashley
Big Island Wildlife Area
5389 Larue-Prospect Rd W, New Bloomington
Killdeer Plains Wildlife Area
19100 Co Hwy 115, Harpster
Dec. 6 & 7, Saturday & Sunday, noon to 8 p.m.
Hebron Fish Hatchery
10517 Canal Road SE, Hebron
Knox County Sherriff Office
11540 Upper Gilchrist Rd, Mount Vernon
Delaware Shooting Range
1110 OH-229, Ashley
Killdeer Plains Wildlife Area
19100 Co Hwy 115, Harpster
Q&As
Do I have to purchase a deer permit if I donate my deer?
Yes, hunters are still required to purchase an either-sex ($31.20) or a deer management permit ($15). The deer must be properly tagged and game checked before donating the deer. Please bring your confirmation number with you when dropping off your deer for donation. Deer game checked as landowner harvests can also be donated. Staff will be present at the donation locations to assist you.
Do I have to pay a processing fee?
No, the processing fee will be covered by the Ohio Division of Wildlife. The hunter is only required to purchase a hunting license and deer permit unless landowner exemptions apply.
If I donate my deer, does it count towards my bag limit?
Yes, a donated deer still counts towards the hunter’s bag limit. The statewide deer limit is six, and only one may be antlered. Hunters may combine individual county harvests to reach the statewide limit. Harvests within a county cannot exceed the county bag limit.
Where will my donated deer go?
The deer will be processed at the Pickaway Correctional Institute (PCI) by trained processors. The venison will be donated to local food pantries.
I harvested a deer outside the Deer Donation Days, but I still want to donate my harvest. How can I donate my deer?
Harvested deer can be donated through the Farmers and Hunters Feeding the Hungry (FHFH) program at no cost to them (except licenses and permits) at any time during the season. For more information and to find a cooperating processor, visit feedingthehungry.org/.
Can I donate a deer that has already been processed?
No. Due to food safety reasons, we cannot donate venison that has already been processed.
Farmers & hunters feeding the hungry
FHFH is an outreach ministry called upon to help feed venison and other big game to the hungry among us. This program began in 1997 and continues to grow, with representation in more than one-half of the United States.
To make a donation, visit the FHFH website and find an active chapter near you. Venison donated to food banks must be processed by a local or state-inspected and insured meat processor who is participating with FHFH.
Hunters wishing to donate their deer to a food bank are not required to pay for the processing of the venison as long as the program has funds available to cover the cost. A subsidy grant from the Division of Wildlife was awarded to FHFH to help with the costs of venison processing.