Thousands of Missouri deer hunters donated 289,292 pounds of venison to the state's Share the Harvest program this past deer season, according to a news release from the Missouri Department of Conservation and the Conservation Federation of Missouri. The donated deer meat will help feed hungry Missourians around the state.
This season's total included nearly 5,600 whole deer. Hunters donated 198,277 pounds of venison the year before.
Since the program was started in 1992, Share the Harvest has provided nearly 4 million pounds of lean, healthy venison.
Share the Harvest is coordinated by MDC and CFM. It works by deer hunters donating their extra venison to more than 100 participating meat processors throughout the state who grind the meat into ready-to-use packages. The packaged venison is given to local food banks and food pantries for distribution to Missourians in need of food assistance.
Processing fees are covered entirely or in part by numerous local supporting organizations and statewide sponsors, which include MDC, CFM, Shelter Insurance, Bass Pro Shops, Missouri Chapter Safari Club International, Missouri Chapter National Wild Turkey Federation, Midway USA Inc., Missouri Food Banks Association and United Bowhunters of Missouri.