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Wisconsin's Deer Donation Program

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Deer Donation Program

Hunters can help Wisconsinites in need by donating deer harvested in Wisconsin through the DNR's deer donation program.

Venison from donated deer is processed and distributed to food pantries across the state. Since the program began in 2000, hunters have donated over 100,000 deer, which were processed into over four million pounds of ground venison.

Wisconsin has a network of venison donation partners, including county land and water conservation departments, food pantries, charitable organizations, Hunt for the Hungry, USDA - Wildlife Services and participating processors, who help implement and administer the program.

LIST OF PLACES TO DONATE DEER

This is a list of places that have agreed to participate in the Deer Donation Program as donation sites. Please verify operating times with them before donating a deer. The participation column indicates the times of the year they will accept deer donations. The Year-Round participation cycle closes on Jan. 31 and processors must sign on for the following year to continue accepting deer donations.

CountyNameAddressPhoneTypeParticipationCWD Testing Site
ASHLANDPearce's Sausage Kitchen61327 Dahlstrom Rd,   Ashland715-682-3742ProcessorYear-RoundNo
BARRONLouie's Finer Meats2025 Superior Ave,   Cumberland715-822-4728ProcessorYear-RoundNo
BROWNPaul's Pantry Inc.1513 Leo Frigo Way,   Green Bay920-433-03-43Drop-Off OnlyYear-RoundNo
BURNETTLock and Load21125 E River Rd,   Grantsburg715-448-2931ProcessorOpen Deer SeasonsNo
CALUMETHickory Hills Country   MeatsW3445 Hickory Hills   Rd, Chilton920-849-2618ProcessorOpen Deer SeasonsNo
CHIPPEWAJNE Meats4257 N Prairie View   Rd, Chippewa Falls715-944-9086ProcessorYear-RoundNo
COLUMBIAD&G Custom Meat   ProcessingN4173 US-51, Poynette608-617-2470ProcessorCall AheadNo
CRAWFORDEastman Locker107 N Main St, Eastman608-874-4331ProcessorOpen Deer SeasonsYes
DANEStoddard’s205 E Cottage Grove   Rd, Cottage Grove608-839-4228Processor9-Day Gun Deer SeasonNo
DODGEPernat Haase MeatsN4202 N4202 Co Rd M,   Juneau920-386-3340ProcessorYear-RoundNo
DODGELeRoy Meats739 W State St, Fox   Lake920-485-2554ProcessorYear-RoundYes
DOUGLASHursh Meat Processing10083 Oak Rd, Poplar715-364-6855ProcessorOpen Deer SeasonsYes
EAU CLAIREMike's Star Market2238 Heimstead Rd,   Eau Claire715-552-3842ProcessorYear-RoundYes
EAU CLAIREVojtik's Stockyard Meat MarketS13208 County Hwy H, Fairchild715-533-0083Processor No
JUNEAUWisconsin River MeatsN5340 County Rd HH,   Mauston608-847-7413ProcessorYear-RoundNo
KEWAUNEECarnival Deer ProcessingN9153 Cherry Tree Rd,   Algoma920-493-6820ProcessorOpen Deer SeasonsYes
LA CROSSESt. Joe's Country   MarketW2721 STH 33, La   Crosse608-788-1575ProcessorYear-RoundYes
LANGLADEArrowood's WildsideW7498 WI-47, Antigo715-489-3501ProcessorOpen Deer SeasonsYes
LINCOLNGeiss Meat ServiceW4490 Pope Rd,   Merrill715-536-5283ProcessorYear-RoundYes
MANITOWOCBRW Processing512 W Washington St,   Valders920-901-8486ProcessorYear-RoundNo
MARATHONCustom Meats1300 WI-107, Marathon   City715-743-3134ProcessorOpen Deer SeasonsYes
MARINETTEMeatski's Quality   MeatsW11124 STH 64, Pound920-897-3392ProcessorOpen Deer SeasonsNo
MARQUETTEMarquette County   Services Center480 Underwood Ave,   Montello608-450-0022Drop-Off Only11/26-11/29
     11:00AM-1:00PM
Yes
MONROEThe Meat Shop25321 Grain Ave,   Tomah608-372-6039ProcessorOpen Deer SeasonsNo
OCONTOHillcrest Meats3180 Volk Ln, Oconto920-516-7405ProcessorYear-RoundNo
OCONTOWisco Meats9607 Charolais Rd,   Coleman920-585-3789ProcessorOpen Deer SeasonsNo
ONEIDALake Tomahawk Meat   Market7259 WI-47, Lake   Tomahawk715-277-3337ProcessorOpen Deer SeasonsYes
ONEIDATJ's Butcher Block8762 US-51, Minocqua715-356-5258ProcessorOpen Deer SeasonsNo
PIERCEPtacek's IGA1449 Orrin Rd,   Prescott715-262-5636ProcessorOpen Deer SeasonsNo
PORTAGEPeople's Meat Market6811 Burr Oak Rd,   Stevens Point715-592-6328ProcessorYear-RoundNo
SAWYERWhiskey Ridge   Processing10008 WI-27, Radisson715-945-2414ProcessorYear-RoundNo
SHAWANOKropf's Meat   ProcessingN7666 Kolpack Rd,   Bowler715-793-4675ProcessorOpen Deer SeasonsNo
ST. CROIXDeer's Food Locker210 Main St N, Deer   Park715-269-5118ProcessorOpen Deer SeasonsNo
ST. CROIXPowers Wild Game1795 85th St, New Richmond715-781-4811ProcessorOpen Deer SeasonsNo
TAYLORK&T Meat   ProcessingW14681 WI-73, Sheldon715-668-5233ProcessorYear-RoundYes
TAYLORHickory Nutz SausageN3009 Sunset Rd,   Medford715-748-4828ProcessorOpen Deer SeasonsNo
TREMPEALEAUBushy's Meat Market23553 Adams St,   Independence715-985-3613ProcessorOpen Deer SeasonsNo
VERNONWestby Locker and   Meat406 N Main St, Westby608-634-4515ProcessorYear-RoundYes
VILASPrime Choice Meat   Market1144 US-45, Eagle   River715-479-4456ProcessorYear-RoundNo
WOODJ&S Processing11656 Grant Ln,   Marshfield715-676-3654ProcessorOpen Deer SeasonsNo
WOODOMG Butchering10624 WI-73,   Pittsville715-393-0206ProcessorOpen Deer SeasonsNo
WOODPittsville Meats5328 2nd Ave,   Pittsville715-884-6816ProcessorOpen Deer SeasonsNo

DONATED VENISON DISTRUBITON LIST

This is a list of charitable organizations that have signed up to receive venison donations through the Deer Donation Program. Venison is distributed when available and it is not guaranteed that each pantry will have venison in stock at any given time.

CountyNameAddressPhone
-Ruby's Heart Inc. - Pop-Up   PantriesVarious   Locations651-842-9330
ADAMSAdams Food Pantry1874 STH 13,   Friendship608-393-2641
ASHLAND/BAYFIELDThe BRICK Ministries420 Ellis Ave S,   Ashland715-682-7425
BARRONBenjamin House   Emergency Shelter1107 Heart Island   Pkwy, Rice Lake715-736-2437
BARRONCumberland Area Food   Pantry1290 1st Ave,   Cumberland651-757-5086
BARRONHeart Island Family   Enrichment Center1108 Heart Island   Parkway715-434-4332
BARRONSt. Vincent de Paul -   Pantry & Kitchen40 S Main St, Rice   Lake715-234-2372
BARRONWe Share Food Pantry418 Royal Crest Dr,   Rice Lake715-205-8181
BAYFIELDCore Community   Resources257 Manypenny Ave,   Bayfield715-779-3457
BROWNPaul's Pantry Inc.1513 Leo Frigo Way,   Green Bay920-433-03-43
BUFFALOBuffalo County Food   PantryW1469 Co Road E, Alma608-685-4946
BUFFALOMondovi Area Food   Pantry125 E Hudson St,   Mondovi715-495-5275
BURNETTBurnett County Food   Pantry26356 Lakeland Ave S,   Webster715-349-8155
BURNETTGrantsburg Area Food   Shelf320 Brad St,   Grantsburg715-222-4370
CHIPPEWACornell Food Pantry401 S 2nd St, Cornell715-827-0894
CRAWFORDCouleecap200 E Blackhawk Ave, Praire du Chien608-326-2463
DANESecond Harvest   Foodbank of S. WI2802 Dairy Dr,   Madison608-216-7241
EAU CLAIREAugusta Area Food Pantry204 N Stone St, Augusta715-225-4965
EAU CLAIREFall Creek Community   Cupboard704 Kennedy Ave, Eau   Claire715-877-2330
EAU CLAIREHope Gospel Mission2650 Mercantile Dr,   Eau Claire715-552-5566 x1304
EAU CLAIRESt. Vincent de Paul40 S Main St, Rice   Lake715-234-2372
EAU CLAIREThe Community Table320 Putnam St, Eau   Claire715-835-4977 x9
FORESTWasmogishek Food   Pantry601 N Summit Ave,   Crandon715-478-2730
JUNEAUCommunity Sharing   Pantry1 Kennedy St, Mauston608-847-5454
LA CROSSEOur Savior's Lutheran Church612 Division St, La Crosse608-792-2954
LANGLADEAntigo Area Community   Food Pantry2120 Progress Blvd,   Antigo715-623-1103
LANGLADEWhite Lake Area   Christian Food Pantry638 Bissell St, White   Lake715-882-9543
LINCOLNCommunity Food Pantry   of Merrill503 S Center Ave,   Merrill715-536-4505
LINCOLNTomahawk Emergency   Food PantryW8309 STH 86,   Tomahawk715-453-1386
LINCOLNTrinity Open Hearts   Food Pantry107 N State St,   Merrill715-675-4928
MANITOWOCPeter's Pantry843 S 21st St,   Manitowoc920-682-6989
MARATHONKing's Food Pantry210433 State Hwy 13,   Spencer715-659-5181
MARINETTECrivitz Area Food   Pantry216 S US Hwy 141,   Crivitz715-927-4663
MARINETTESt. Vincent de Paul   Food Pantry2000 Cleveland,   Marinette715-201-3510
MARQUETTECare & Share Food   BankN2975 WI-22, Montello608-369-1059
MILWAUKEEHunger Task Force5000 W Electric Ave,   West Milwaukee414-238-6473
MONROENeighbor for Neighbor   Food Pantry1118 W Veterans St,   Tomah608-372-6737
MONROECashton Cupboard199 Front St, Cashton608-654-5770
OCONTOBread By The Bay641 Washington St,   Oconto920-373-0906
OCONTOKingdom Come Food   Pantry520 N Locust St,   Oconto Falls920-604-2729
OCONTOCans of Hope221 E Main St, Lena920-246-3358
OCONTOFeed My Sheep8136 Co Rd Z, Pound920-246-2295
ONEIDACamp American Legion8529 Co Road D,   Oneida715-277-2510
ONEIDARhinelander Food   Pantry627 Coon St,   Rhinelander715-369-7237
PIERCEPierce County Food   Pantry440 N. Maple St,   Ellsworth715-273-2070
POLKAmery Area Food   Pantry230 Deronda St, Amery715-268-5999
POLKLifeline Food Pantry560 5th St, Clear   Lake715-263-3846
RUSKBruce Food Pantry730 N. 2nd St, Bruce715-868-3565
SAWYERHayward Community   Food Shelf16216 W Highway 635,   Hayward715-634-4237
SHAWANOWittenberg Food   Pantry702 S Webb St,   Wittenberg715-460-6318
TAYLORICAA Food Pantry508 S. 8th St,   Medford715-415-2457
TAYLORRib Lake Community   Food Pantry1300 Church Street,   Rib Lake715-427-3670
TREMPEALEAUG-E-T Community Food   Pantry20237 W Ridge Ave,   Galesville608-399-8440
TREMPEALEAUTri-County Food   Pantry50965, Industrial   Road, Osseo715-797-2188
VERNONBethel Butikk Food   Pantry341 Black River Ave,   Westby608-634-3473
VERNONStoddard Food Pantry300 N West St,   Stoddard608-780-2599
VILASLakeland Pantry1707 Hwy 51 N, Arbor   Vitae715-358-2222
WOODSt. Vincent DePaul   Outreach149 N Central Ave,   Marshfield715-387-0395
WOODPittsville Area   Neighbors Shelf5318 1st Ave,   Pittsville715-884-2895

HOW TO DONATE YOUR WISCONSIN DEER

Hunters can donate any deer harvested legally in Wisconsin. Deer harvested outside Wisconsin cannot be donated. Deer harvested in a listed county affected by chronic wasting disease (CWD) must be tested for CWD before or at the time of donation (see below). 

  1. Field-dress and register your deer prior to dropping it off at a processor/drop-off location. Handle the carcass as if it was destined for your own table. A couple of bags of ice placed in the cavity will help preserve the carcass in warm weather.
  2. Register your deer. Write down your registration confirmation number as you will need it to fill out the Hunter Deer Donation Log Sheet; this number can be retrieved through your Go Wild account or by calling DNR Customer Service (1-888-936-7463). If your deer was harvested from one of the CWD-affected counties, please ensure you completed the required CWD testing before donating.
  3. Call ahead! Contact one of the participating processors before dropping off your deer to ensure they have space to accept it. More processors may be added later in the season, so check back if you don't see one currently in your area.
  4. Drop off your deer at a participating processor.

Are you looking for a place to donate a deer near you?. See a list of processors and drop-off locations in the Donated Venison Distribution List tab above.

WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN DROPPING OFF YOUR DEER

Hunters can donate the entire deer free of charge and retain the head and antlers for mounting if desired.

When dropping your deer off at a processor, you will be asked to complete the log sheet indicating your desire to donate the deer. We'll do the rest. The donated deer will be processed, and the venison will be distributed to charitable organizations to help feed those Wisconsinites in need of food assistance.

CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE TESTING REQUIREMENTS

Please test donated deer either before or at the time of donation as required below. The processor may hold the donated deer or processed venison until the test results are known.

No CWD Testing RequiredCWD Test Adult DeerCWD Test All Deer

Ashland

Barron

Bayfield

Brown

Burnett

Calumet

Clark

Door

Douglas

Florence

Forest

Iron

Kewaunee

La Crosse

Marinette

Outagamie

Ozaukee

Pepin

Price

Rusk

St. Croix

Sawyer

Taylor

Washburn

Buffalo

Dunn

Fond Du Lac

Green Lake

Jackson

Langlade

Lincoln

Marathon

Marquette

Milwaukee

Monroe

Oconto

Oneida

Pierce

Polk

Portage

Shawano

Sheboygan

Trempealeau

Vilas

Waupaca

Winnebago

Waushara

Washington

Wood

Adams

Columbia

Crawford

Dane

Dodge

Eau Claire

Grant

Green

Iowa

Jefferson

Juneau

Kenosha

Lafayette

Menominee

Racine

Richland

Rock

Sauk

Vernon

Walworth

Waukesha

DEER DONATION PARTNERS PROGRAM

The DNR is partnering with individuals and organizations to provide convenient deer donation drop-off locations through the Deer Donation Partners Program during the open deer hunting seasons. Volunteers will host a deer donation drop-off site so hunters can donate their legally harvested deer to help feed those in need, but where there are no locally participating processors. Partners will donate the cost of a refrigerated trailer to collect and transport donated deer to neighboring participating processors. Drop-off locations will be listed on the Deer Donation Program's Processor and Pantry list. Check out the list under "How to Donate Your Wisconsin Deer" to see if any deer drop-off sites are listed in your county. Contact Marcus Rufledt, Wildlife Program Specialist, for more information on this new program.

MAKE A FINANCIAL DONATION TO THE DEER DONATION PROGRAM

Hunters and the public can voluntarily donate $1 or more to the Deer Donation Program to help cover meat processing fees. You can donate at any DNR license sales location or online through your Go Wild account.

LEAD BULLETS AND VENISON

Deer harvested with lead bullets have been shown to have tiny lead pieces or fragments remaining in a portion of the processed meat. This is especially true for ground venison. Lead is toxic to humans, even in very low amounts. Children under six years old and pregnant women are at the greatest risk from lead exposure. Consider switching to non-toxic, lead-free ammunition, such as copper, or to bowhunting, to reduce exposure to lead for venison recipients. Visit the safely eating venison page for recommendations on reducing the risk of lead in venison.