Wisconsin Hunters Donate Venison to Local Food Pantries
Local butcher shops are processing harvested deer to help feed families across Wisconsin communities.
Updated on Oct. 16, 2026 in Hunting
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Hunters in Wisconsin are donating field-dressed deer to help provide food for those facing rising prices in Northwoods communities. Local butcher shops process the meat into ground venison for distribution to food pantries.
Why it matters
The program helps address food insecurity by providing a consistent source of protein to residents during a time of increased costs. It ensures that local families have access to nutritious, locally harvested meat.
Since 2000, hunters have donated more than 4 million pounds of venison to the state program. Participants must ensure all donated deer are field dressed and harvested within Wisconsin.
The players
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is a state agency that oversees the management of the state's natural resources and wildlife programs.
TJ's Butcher Block
TJ's Butcher Block is a local meat market based in Minocqua that participates in the state's deer donation initiative.
Prime Choice Meat Market
Prime Choice Meat Market is an Eagle River-based business that supports the community by processing donated venison.
Lake Tomahawk Meat Market
Lake Tomahawk Meat Market is a local facility in Lake Tomahawk that provides processing services for the deer donation program.
The details
Participating shops like TJ's Butcher Block, Prime Choice Meat Market, and Lake Tomahawk Meat Market process the deer bodies into ground meat. To ensure public safety, hunters submit the deer head to the DNR for Chronic Wasting Disease testing before the meat is distributed.
Timeline
The DNR Deer Donation Program began in 2000.
The hunting season occurs during the fall 2026.
Culture Shift
This effort reflects a growing trend of utilizing local wildlife harvesting to bolster community food security. It aligns with the DNR Deer Donation Program, which has established a durable pipeline for distributing harvested meat to those in need.
Residents struggling with food costs can access ground venison at participating local food pantries. Hunters wishing to contribute should ensure their harvested deer are properly field dressed before taking them to participating shops.
The takeaway
The program effectively turns seasonal hunting into a vital year-round food source for local communities. Participants should always follow DNR guidelines to ensure that all donations remain safe for consumption.
Further reading
Learn more about local wildlife management efforts on the Wisconsin Hunting page.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WJFW.
Live Poll
Do you support donating harvested deer meat to local food pantries to help with food costs?
