Hunters Can Donate Deer to Help Feed Hungry Hoosiers

Hunt for Hunger is administered by the DNR Division of Law Enforcement

Shutterstock photo.

INDIANAPOLIS - Governor Mike Braun is encouraging Indiana hunters to donate harvested deer to help feed Hoosiers in need.

"For many Hoosier hunters, sharing their hard-earned game with others is the best part of the hunting experience,” said Gov. Braun. “Indiana Hunt for Hunger gives hunters the opportunity to do just that, helping those throughout the state who are in need. I encourage all hunters to consider donating a harvested deer to Hunt for Hunger this year.”

Hunt for Hunger, a program administered by the DNR Division of Law Enforcement, provides grants to the division’s nonprofit partners, including Hoosiers Feeding the Hungry, the Dubois County Sportsmen Club, and Hunters and Farmers Feeding the Hungry, to pay for meat processing fees when hunters donate legally harvested deer.

"Hunt for Hunger gives hunters a simple way to make a big difference,” said Col. Steve Hunter, director of DNR Law Enforcement. “Each donated deer helps put nutritious food on the plates of families who need it."

Participating in the program is simple:

1. Enjoy a deer hunting experience.
2. Legally harvest an Indiana deer.
3. Drop off the field-dressed deer at a local participating processor.
4. Processing fees are paid for by Hunt for Hunger (no cost to the donating hunter).
5. The processor creates healthy ground venison to distribute to non-profit food banks and free meal programs.

The participating organizations notify non-profit food banks throughout Indiana when venison is ready to be collected from certified Hunt for Hunger processors. The food banks distribute venison to soup kitchens and food pantries. 

More than 500,000 pounds of venison have been donated by Hoosier hunters since the program’s inception in 2008. 

For information on donating harvested deer and a list of participating processors, please visit on.IN.gov/huntforhunger.