The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is increasing reimbursements for meat processors participating in its Deer Donation Program as it encourages hunters to donate venison to local food pantries this season.
The program, which began in 2000, allows hunters to donate harvested deer at no cost. The venison is processed and distributed through food pantries in the same communities where the deer are donated. According to DNR Deer Donation Program Manager Marcus Rufledt, the initiative has provided millions of pounds of protein to Wisconsin families over the past 25 years.
“The program was started back in 2000, and over the course of that 25 years or so, over 100,000 deer have been processed and donated, which equates to about 4 million pounds of ground venison,” Rufledt said. “So that’s quite a few helpings of venison going to local pantries to feed the hungry.”
To help maintain participation among processors, the DNR recently increased reimbursement rates. Rufledt said the agency worked with the Wisconsin Association of Meat Processors to better understand processing costs across the state.
“We did a survey of some processors with the Wisconsin Association of Meat Processors to just kind of get an idea of what the average rate across the state was and it came to about $163 per deer,” Rufledt said. “So anything we could do to kind of get closer in line with that average rate, the better for the program.”
Processors can now receive up to $135 per donated deer, depending on chronic wasting disease (CWD) testing requirements. Rufledt said one of the program’s benefits is that donated venison remains in the local community, helping provide food assistance close to where hunters make their donations.
“A lot of people are satisfied with just knowing that it does stay within the community,” Rufledt said. “If you donate it to a local processor, it’s going to be going to a local pantry as well.”
Hunters who wish to keep antlers or hides for mounting can still participate in the program, as only the meat is donated. Participating processors and additional information about the Deer Donation Program can be found on the Wisconsin DNR website.