Do you like to hunt for deer? Perhaps harvesting the game is easy? But your family is not too large. What are you to do with all of the ‘extra’ venison? MDC (Missouri Department of Conservation) allows hunters to share their harvests to help feed hungry Missourians [1]. This applies from the beginning of the first season- September 15- to the end of the last season- January 15, 2024.
Where It Goes
Deer hunters who share their harvests do so by donating surplus venison to the Share the Harvest program, which helps feed hungry Missourians. All donated deer meat goes to local food banks and food pantries statewide.
Donating
Donating is easy. You take harvested deer to an approved meat processor. You then let the processor know how much or all of the venison to donate. All of the meat-processing fees are covered entirely or in part by numerous local sponsors, along with statewide sponsors.
The Share the Conservation Federation of Missouri and MDC administers the Harvest Program. It has provided nearly 5 million pounds of lean, healthy venison since it was started in 1992.
The nearest approved meat processor is in West Plains. It is called Barnett’s Meat Processing. Its address is 611 St Louis St. And the phone number there is 417-256-3261.
Nutritional Benefits
The national health entities state that children need protein for proper growth and development. Adults need it to maintain good health. Nonetheless, many Missourians cannot afford good sources of protein. Through Share the Harvest, Missouri hunters can help those in need with high-quality protein from naturally lean, locally harvested deer meat.
Contact local food banks or food pantries to get Share the Harvest venison.
CWD Concerns
Deer harvested from CWD Management Zone counties may only be donated to Share the Harvest after being tested for CWD. Donations must go to a meat processor participating in the Share the Harvest CWD Testing Program. Deer harvested outside the CWD Management Zone does not need to be tested for donation to Share the Harvest. It may still be taken to any Share the Harvest processor.
For more information on Share the Harvest, visit MDC online at mdc.mo.gov/share.
Notes:
- ^ {{MDC asks deer hunters to Share the Harvest and follow CWD regulations}} (go back ↩)
