MDC announces new Share the Harvest pilot deer drop-off locations in northern Missouri

KIRKSVILLE, Mo. – The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) announces a new pilot program for Share the Harvest (STH) that focuses on convenience for hunters looking to donate venison for Missourians facing hunger. The pilot establishes refrigerated deer drop-off locations from Nov. 10 – Dec. 14 in areas where access to participating STH processors may be limited.

The locations will be available daily from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., providing hunters with additional opportunities to donate harvested deer at no cost.

“We know convenience plays a major role in a hunter’s decision to donate a deer,” said MDC STH Expansion Coordinator Jake Hindman. “These pilot deer drop-off locations are designed to make donating easier by bringing additional donation opportunities closer to hunters. We’re excited to test this approach this fall as we work toward our goal of doubling deer donations and helping feed more Missouri families.”

There will be four pilot drop-off locations in northern Missouri:

• Carroll County – MFA at 116 Main Street in Hale
• Macon County - MFA at 1805 North Missouri Street in Macon
• Putnam County - Putnam County Fairgrounds at 615 North 22nd Street in Unionville
• Randolph County – Comfort Inn at 1801 West Outer Road in Moberly

Hunters donating deer at these locations must follow the following guidelines:

• Deer must be field dressed and Telechecked before donation
• Deer must remain whole with the head and neck intact
• Hunters may remove the deer’s antlers and skull cap prior to drop off
• Hunters must follow the instructions provided at each location to document their name, date of harvest, Telecheck information, and other pertinent details

MDC will coordinate transportation of donated deer from the drop-off locations to participating STH meat processors for processing and distribution back to Missouri families in need. This pilot will help MDC and its STH partners evaluate whether additional refrigerated drop-off locations can improve hunter convenience and increase deer donations. Hunters who harvest deer this season are encouraged to consider donating through STH. With no processing cost to hunters, donating deer is an easy way to provide nutritious venison to Missouri families in need while managing the local deer population.

As one of the nation’s first venison-donation programs, STH has provided more than 6 million pounds of venison to help feed hungry Missourians since it was started in 1992 by Missouri hunters who wanted to share their harvested deer with neighbors facing food insecurity. The statewide deer-donation program is administered by MDC, the Conservation Federation of Missouri (CFM), the Missouri Association of Meat Processors, and Feeding Missouri in collaboration with hunters, meat processors, food banks and pantries, local businesses, and sponsors.

In recent years, STH has averaged about 5,000 donated deer annually equaling approximately 250,000 pounds of venison given to Missourians in need every year. The program is currently working to expand participation and double annual deer donations to 10,000 by 2027.

Learn more about STH from MDC at mdc.mo.gov/share and from CFM at confedmo.org/share-the-harvest/.