Indiana DNR urges hunters to participate in Hunt for Hunger program

Sunday, November 3, 2024 at 7:05 PM

By Kathy Bottorff

The Hunt for Hunger program allows hunters to donate deer to help feed hungry Hoosiers.

Hunters can drop off a field-dressed deer at a participating processing site. The deer is processed into venison burgers, and the meat is donated to local food banks. Processing fees are covered, so donors are not charged.

A single deer can provide nearly 200 meals for local food banks. Venison is a valuable source of protein that can help boost metabolism and lower blood pressure.

Over 50 participating processing sites across Indiana, including J & J Quality Meats on 12B Road in Bourbon, Slabaugh Meat Processing on CR 101 in Nappanee, Roland’s Processing on CR 15 Nappanee, and Miller’s Smoke House on CR 14 in Middlebury.

The Indiana Hunt for Hunger partners with Hoosiers Feeding the Hungry, the Dubois County Sportsman's Club, and Farmers & Hunters Feeding the Hungry for Indiana.

The Indiana Hunt for Hunger was launched in 2008 by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Since then, the program has grown to collect thousands of deer donations and provide hundreds of thousands of meals.

To find a processor near you, visit https://www.in.gov/dnr/law-enforcement/sportsmens-benevolence-fund/. To learn how to get involved as a participating processor, contact Capt. Jet Quillen at jquillen@dnr.in.gov or 317-232-0658.