National Deer Association begins deer processor, donation map

Springfield — As the national doe harvest declines and deer populations climb in most areas, the number of deer processors also is shrinking.

The purpose of a new map developed by the National Deer Association is to help processors stay in business by connecting them with more local deer hunters. Now available on the NDA website, the national map includes places that accept venison donations.

The map is part of NDA’s effort to help deer hunters maintain adequate national deer harvests, especially of antlerless deer, while meeting the needs of food-insecure families through venison sharing.

“One of the more common reasons hunters give for not filling more antlerless tags is they don’t need another deer and they don’t have a place to donate one,” said NDA CEO Nick Pinizzotto. “The national venison processor map is one way we can help by making it easier for hunters to find resources for extra venison. Furthermore, we know that about one in seven households are food insecure in the United States, and we see this is a mechanism to assist with getting sought-after protein to people who need it.”

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NDA officials noted that in the 2023-24 season, deer hunters harvested 3% more antlered bucks than antlerless deer, the largest gap since 1999. Many states allow hunters to purchase multiple doe tags to help manage thriving deer populations, but it is assumed some hunters may not use the tags because they do not know about a nearby processor. Others might use more tags if they had access to a venison donation program.

“Where I hunt, we can get more than one doe tag per year,” said Amber Kornak, Policy Fellow with NDA who collected the information for the new map. “Knowing about nearby venison donation programs gives me the opportunity to continue hunting while also knowing that the additional doe I harvest will be shared with those who need it most.”