Share the Harvest Expands Venison Donations
Missouri's deer-donation program is piloting new coolers, fee changes and processor payments as it aims for 6,500 donated deer in the 2026 season.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Hunting
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The Missouri Department of Conservation has expanded Share the Harvest, a program that gives venison from hunter-donated deer to Missourians in need. The program has set goals of 6,500 donated deer in the 2026 season and 10,000 in 2027.
Why it matters
Nearly 800,000 Missourians experienced food insecurity in 2025, and the program aims to scale up its donations to help meet that need. The pilot changes are intended to build a stronger, more sustainable program over the long term.
Share the Harvest has averaged about 5,000 donated deer per year and provided more than 6 million pounds of venison since 1992. The program is targeting 6,500 donated deer in the 2026 season and 10,000 in 2027, but the report does not say whether the pilot changes will be enough to reach those goals.
The players
Missouri Department of Conservation
The state agency that administers Share the Harvest alongside its partners and oversees hunting and wildlife management in Missouri.
Conservation Federation of Missouri
A statewide conservation organization that co-administers Share the Harvest with the Department of Conservation.
Feeding Missouri
A statewide hunger-relief network that helps distribute donated venison to food banks and pantries.
The details
Hunters donate a whole field-dressed deer at an approved Share the Harvest meat processor, completing a simple form. Participating processors prepare the venison for distribution through local food banks and pantries. The program is piloting refrigerated coolers at select drop-off locations, eliminating required hunter donation fees, and increasing processor reimbursements.
Timeline
1992: Share the Harvest began, started by Missouri hunters who wanted to share deer with neighbors facing food insecurity.
2025: Nearly 800,000 Missourians experienced food insecurity.
2026 season: Donation goal of 6,500 deer, with pilot programs underway.
2027: Donation goal of 10,000 deer.
Program Trajectory
Launched in 1992 by Missouri hunters, Share the Harvest has been running for more than three decades and is now setting its largest donation targets to date. The 2026 and 2027 goals of 6,500 and 10,000 deer mark a significant step up from the program's historical average of about 5,000 donated deer per year.
Hunters in Missouri can donate a whole field-dressed deer at an approved processor at no cost, with voluntary contributions accepted. Residents facing food insecurity may benefit from the venison distributed through local food banks and pantries.
The takeaway
Hunters who harvest more deer than they need can donate a whole field-dressed deer at no cost through an approved processor. Every donated deer helps Missourians who are struggling to put food on the table.
What happens next
The 2026 season donation goal of 6,500 deer will be measured during the upcoming hunting season, and the 2027 goal of 10,000 deer follows the year after.
Further reading
Explore more on Hunting in Missouri for context on the state's deer season and conservation programs.
More information
Find a participating processor using the Share the Harvest meat processor lookup.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Star-Journal.
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