Share your harvest

As deer season gets underway in Missouri, hunters have an opportunity to make a difference well beyond the woods. Through the Share the Harvest program, hunters can donate venison to help feed families in need across the state.

Launched in 1992 by the Conservation Federation of Missouri and the Missouri Department of Conservation, the program provides a simple way to turn harvested deer into meals for food-insecure households. Over the past three decades, more than 5 million pounds of venison have been donated.

Participation is straightforward. Hunters can take a whole deer—or even just a few pounds of meat—to a participating meat processor, who packages it for distribution to local food pantries. Processing fees are often fully or partially covered by donations from conservation groups, state and local organizations, and businesses such as Shelter Insurance, Bass Pro Shops and the Missouri Food Bank Association.

Last year, MFA Incorporated and the Missouri Soybean Association joined these efforts, helping expand the program’s reach. Their support not only contributed to feeding more families but also addressed agricultural challenges in areas where high deer populations damage crops.

With growing capacity and broad support, Share the Harvest continues to be a win for both hunters and communities. Hunters reduce deer herd pressure, and Missouri families benefit from a healthy source of protein—all thanks to a program that turns tradition into generosity.

For details and to find a list of participating processors, visit mdc.mo.gov/sharetheharvest. 

Image caption: The Share the Harvest program works with hunters and meat processors in Missouri to donate deer meat to food banks and pantries across the state.

View more articles from this October/November 2025 Today's Farmer magazine.