The Conservation Department says more than 4,400 deer hunters donated more than 227,000 pounds of venison during the 2013 hunting seasons through the state’s Share the Harvest Program.
Venison processed through Share the Harvest is packed in one pound packages and distributed to food pantries and food banks statewide. (photo courtesy; Missouri Department of Conservation)
Share the Harvest allows hunters to donate part or all of a deer to food pantries and food banks in the state. More than 100 meat processors in Missouri take those deer and process them into ground venison.
Processing fees are covered in part or entirely by local and statewide program sponsors.
The program is administered by the Department and the Conservation Federation of Missouri. Since it began in 1992 it has provided more than 3.1 million pounds of venison to Missourians in need.
For more information on Share the Harvest visit the Department of Conservation website.