Feed Local Families Through the ODNR Field to Food Bank Program

Hocking County hunters can donate venison to combat local food insecurity

Hunters in Hocking County have a direct way to support their neighbors this month through a partnership between the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) and the SE Ohio Foodbank. By participating in the “Field to Food Bank” program, local hunters can turn their seasonal harvest into essential nutrition for families facing food shortages.

The donation window for Hocking County opens this month at Downs Bait and Gun, located at 30586 Lake Logan Road in Logan. The facility will accept deer harvests on November 21 and November 22 from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. This specific window also coincides with the 2026 Youth Deer Gun Weekend, providing a coordinated opportunity for both experienced hunters and younger participants to contribute to the community.

Data provided by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources indicates that a single deer can yield between 168 and 200 servings of food.

Help Feed Families with Ohio's Field to Food Bank Program

The logistics of the Field to Food Bank program

The ODNR designed this program as a dual-benefit strategy, intended to manage white-tailed deer populations while simultaneously addressing the state’s food insecurity challenges. In its inaugural year in October 2025, the program saw 182 deer donated, which translated to roughly 36,400 servings of food.

Participating in the program is free, but it requires strict adherence to state wildlife regulations. To ensure the safety and legality of the donated meat, the ODNR outlines a specific protocol for hunters:

Feed Local Families Through the ODNR Field to Food Bank Program

Hunters must hold a valid hunting license and the necessary deer permits.
The deer must be properly tagged and officially game-checked before being taken to a drop-off site.
Donors should use the HuntFish OH mobile app or the official online system to complete the game check.
The game check confirmation number must be presented at the drop-off location.

Once the venison is collected, it undergoes processing before being distributed to the SE Ohio Foodbank and its network of partner pantries. This ensures the meat reaches those in Hocking County who need it most.

Meeting the demand across Ohio

For instance, the program includes upcoming dates in Highland and Guernsey counties from November 13 to 15, and a significant block of dates in late November and early December for locations such as the Hardin County Fairgrounds and the Ross County Fairgrounds. Because these collection windows are limited, the ODNR advises hunters to plan their hunts around the specific hours and locations provided in their official schedules.

Ohio's Field to Food Bank interview 10/5/26

If questions arise regarding the donation process or specific site availability, the department directs inquiries to their dedicated email, [email protected], or through their wildlife hotline at 1-800-WILDLIFE.

The next scheduled donation window for Hocking County begins at 9:00 a.m. on November 21 at Downs Bait and Gun.