Deer hunters can give back to their communities through Share the Harvest

CAPE GIRARDEAU, MO (KBSI) – Deer hunters can donate meat to their communities through the Missouri Department of Conservation Share the Harvest program.

Southeast Missouri Food Bank is one of the organizations receiving deer meat donations from the Share the Harvest program.
The food bank’s donor relations and communications manager, Heather Collier said protein is one of the most requested items.

“It is something we all need — it is essential to us as humans,” Collier said. “It is one of the most expensive things for our neighbors to acquire at a grocery store. It’s also one of the most expensive things for us to acquire.”

Collier said SEMO Food Bank serves 80,000 individuals each month across Southeast Missouri. The goal is not just getting people food, but getting nutritious food that meets people’s dietary needs. Donated meat is typically turned into snack sticks.

“I grew up a daughter of a deer hunter, and I love deer meat,” Collier said. “Share the harvest just really gives us access to such a great item to be able to distribute to our neighbors.”

Collier said all you have to do is take the deer to a participating processor and tell them how many pounds of venison you want to donate to Share the Harvest. The cost of the donated meat will be covered.

It’s important to know, deer within the chronic wasting disease (CWD) management zone must be tested for the disease before donating.

You can find more information about the CWD management zone and a map of counties, here. The yellow colored counties on the map are a part of the CWD management zone. Deer harvested in those areas must be tested for the disease.

In Southeast Missouri, counties within the CWD management zone include: Perry, Madison, Bollinger, Ripley, and Pemiscot.

You can learn more about the program and participating processors, here.