Ohio Division of Wildlife helps donate venison from state’s gun season

Columbus — The Ohio DNR (ODNR) Division of Wildlife helped collect 3,350 pounds of processed venison during the weeklong deer gun season to support local food pantries. Deer donation days were held at select locations across the state.

“It’s thanks to Ohio’s hunters from across our great state that families will have the option to pick up venison at a local food pantry,” said ODNR Director Mary Mertz. “It’s truly amazing what we can accomplish when we come together with a common goal.”

MORE COVERAGE FROM OHIO OUTDOOR NEWS:

More than 13,000 deer fall during Ohio’s muzzleloader hunt

Commentary: Growing old in the outdoors can be a daunting task

Ohio’s Bucyrus fur auction canceled, but Kidron still on tap

This year, the Division of Wildlife partnered the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction’s (ODRC) Ohio Penal Industries’ (OPI) meat processing facility at the Pickaway Correctional Institution (PCI) for the donation days. So far, 1,150 pounds of venison have been given to the Ohio Association of Foodbanks for distribution to West Ohio Foodbank (Allen, Hancock, Hardin, and Wyandot counties), Mid-Ohio Food Collective (Delaware, Knox, Licking, Marion, and Union counties), and Second Harvest Food Bank of North Central Ohio (Crawford County).

“The meat processing center provides a great opportunity for our incarcerated population to gain valuable experiences in the workforce,” said ODRC Director Annette Chambers-Smith. “This partnership with ODNR provides these men a chance to apply those skills and give back to Ohio during the holiday season.”

There is approximately 2,200 more pounds of venison being prepared for distribution and 20 more deer that will be processed.