Missouri Department of Conservation removes cost to donate deer

Removing Financial Barriers for Hunters

Hunters across Missouri can now donate whole deer to the state’s Share the Harvest program at no cost statewide, a shift designed to clear the financial hurdles that have historically kept venison out of local food pantries.

The Missouri Department of Conservation announced the expanded rules for the current hunting season, following feedback from hunters who identified cost as one of the biggest barriers to participation.

Six Million Pounds Distributed Since 1992

Launched in 1992, the initiative allows hunters to donate legally harvested deer to participating meat processors, where the venison is packaged and distributed to families facing food insecurity.

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Jake Hindman, the department’s Share the Harvest expansion coordinator, noted that the program has supplied roughly 6 million pounds of venison over its history, averaging about 5,000 donated deer annually.

Expanding Processor Networks Across the State

To support the zero-cost donation option this season, state wildlife officials are actively working to increase the roster of participating processors and expand after-hours drop-off options.

Hunters can locate these facilities and check processor hours using the Missouri Department of Conservation’s Share the Harvest webpage.

Hunters Must Field Dress Deer for Local Distribution

Before bringing a deer to a participating processor, hunters must ensure the animal has been properly checked and field dressed, and they are advised to contact the processor directly to confirm current drop-off procedures.

Most of the donated meat stays within the local community where the deer was harvested, typically packaged as ground venison for distribution through neighborhood food pantries.

Deer Harvests Provide Servings for Food-Insecure Households

Wildlife officials calculate that a single harvested deer yields between 40 and 60 pounds of venison, translating to as many as 120 individual servings.

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Beyond assisting food-insecure households, the department points out that the program gives hunters a practical outlet for managing local deer populations after filling their own freezers.