Hunters urged to take part in DNR’s Deer Donation Program

The Wisconsin DNR is again encouraging hunters to donate Wisconsin-harvested deer through the DNR’s Deer Donation Program. The program helps stock food pantries and supports residents in need throughout the state.

“Community pantries all over Wisconsin are seeing a rising demand for food, especially as Wisconsinites lose access to food assistance due to the federal government shutdown,” said DNR Secretary Karen Hyun. “Our Deer Donation Program helps provide nutrition-packed options like venison and we are optimistic hunters will continue their role in combating hunger in Wisconsin through this program.”

According to data from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, more than 700,000 Wisconsin residents (about 12% of the state’s population) received food assistance in 2024, and demand is expected to rise.

Since the program began in 2000, hunters have donated more than 100,000 deer, totaling over 4 million pounds of ground venison, to help Wisconsinites in need.

Wisconsin has a network of venison donation partners, including county land and water conservation departments, food pantries, charitable organizations, USDA-Wildlife Services and participating meat processors, who all help implement and administer the program.

Locally, Prime Choice Meat Market in Eagle River and TJ’s Butcher Block in Minocqua are both meat processors that participate in the donation program. Charitable organizations that accept donations include Lakeland Pantry in Arbor Vitae, and Camp American Legion and Rhinelander Food Pantry in Oneida County.

Deer harvested outside Wisconsin cannot be donated. The Wisconsin Department of Health Services requires deer harvested in certain counties to be tested for chronic wasting disease (CWD) before or at the time of donation. Hunters interested in donating a Wisconsin-harvested deer to the DNR’s Deer

Donation Program should follow these steps:

Field dress the deer. Handle the carcass as if it were destined for your own plate. A couple of bags of ice placed in the cavity will help preserve the carcass in warm weather.

Register the deer through GameReg. Note the registration confirmation number and keep it on hand when dropping off the deer. If your deer was harvested from a county that requires CWD testing, (including Vilas and Oneida counties), the DNR asks that you ensure you complete the required CWD testing before or at the time of donation. An up-to-date list can be found on the Deer Donation Program webpage.

Call ahead. Contact a participating processor before dropping off the deer to make sure they have space to accept it. More processors may be added later in the season, so check back if you don’t see one currently in your area.

Bring the deer to the processor. If donating a deer being tested for CWD, inform the processor and provide the CWD barcode number. The processor will not distribute the deer until the results are known.

Those who don’t have their Go Wild customer number, game registration numbers or CWD testing information, can log into their Go Wild account or contact DNR Customer Service staff to retrieve that information.

Hunters and non-hunters may also support the Deer Donation Program through a monetary donation in person at any Wisconsin hunting license sales location or online through their Go Wild account.

Visit Wisconsin’s Deer Donation Program webpage to learn more about the program.

Hunters participating in the Deer Donation program are encouraged to reduce the chance of introducing lead fragments to donated venison by using lead-free ammunition or taking simple steps to reduce risks when utilizing lead bullets. Lead is toxic to humans, even in very low amounts.