RHINELANDER, WI (WSAU-WXPR) — Hunters can do a favor for others this fall.
The state’s deer donation program will be continuing this fall, helping those in need. Since the program began in 2000, hunters have donated over 90,000 deer which were processed into over 3.6 million pounds of ground venison.
Wisconsin has a network of venison donation partners including county land and water conservation departments, food pantries, charitable organizations, Hunt for the Hungry, USDA – Wildlife Services and participating processors who all help implement and administer the program.
DNR wildlife damage specialist Brad Koele told WXRP that if a hunter wants to donate a deer, check the DNR website under deer donation to find a meat processor. “For 2018 we have 86 processors in 50 counties that are participating. So look at that list. If they’re interested in donating, find a processor near them. Pay attention if CWD testing is required. It’s required in 24 counties this year. If the hunter is successful and wants to donate a deer, call ahead of time and make sure the processor is able to accept that deer.”
Koele says hunters have a variety of reasons for donation, being herd management on private land or they want to hunt but not necessarily keep the deer. He says the food stays locally. “All that meat is kept locally, that’s an important point. You donate it to the processor. That processor packages it into ground venison and then it’s distributed to a local food pantry. An important point is that venison stays locally and helps people who need food assistance.”
The DNR’s web address is dnr.wi.gov
