Illinois Deer Donation Program Launching October 1

The Illinois Deer Donation Program launches with the start of deer archery hunting season on October 1. At this time and through deer hunting season, hunters can take harvested deer to one of five partnering meat processors for donation.

Hunters do not have to pay the processing fee for donated deer, though processors ask that you please call before hunting to make sure they have space available.

Partnering meat processors include:

• Morgan's Meat Market on 1401 Dewitt Ave in Mattoon.
• Moweaqua Packing Plant on 601 N Main St in Moweaqua.
• Blair's Slaughtering & Processing, Inc. on 2472 Vandalia Rd in Louisville.
• Salt & Strings Butchery on 133 N Church St in Louisville.
• Hartrich Meats on 326 W Embarras St in Sainte Marie.

“We’re excited to launch after months of planning and organizing,” said Michelle Fombelle, Extension educator. “We’re grateful for the assistance of our five meat processors and know many hunters are looking forward to donating deer that will feed their local communities and support small businesses.”

The ground venison will be shared with food pantries in twelve east-central Illinois counties: Clay, Coles, Cumberland, DeWitt, Douglas, Effingham, Fayette, Jasper, Macon, Moultrie, Piatt, and Shelby counties.

Along with the meat, food pantry clients will receive recipes and resources from Illinois Extension to help them prepare venison at home.

Non-hunters can also participate. Monetary donations are used to reimburse our partner meat processors for their time and effort. For more about the program and to donate, visit our website at go.illinois.edu/deerdonation and follow along on Facebook at Illinois Deer Donation Program.

Illinois Deer Donation Program is funded in part by the Health Equity Achieved Together Project, a multi-disciplinary collaboration with University of Illinois Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education.