Posted By: The Reporter October 21, 2025
By ASHLEY FOWLER
WISH-TV | wishtv.com
Hoosier hunters are being encouraged to donate harvested deer to help feed Indiana families in need through the Hunt for Hunger program.
The program, run by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources Division of Law Enforcement, partners with nonprofits to cover meat processing fees for donated deer.
“Venison harvested through hunting is an important source of nourishment for Hoosier families,” Col. Steve Hunter, director of DNR Law Enforcement, said in a release.
Hunt for Hunger provides grants to nonprofit partners such as Hoosiers Feeding the Hungry, the Dubois County Sportsmen Club, and Hunters and Farmers Feeding the Hungry. The grants pay for processing fees when hunters donate legally harvested deer.
These organizations notify food banks throughout Indiana when venison is ready to be collected from certified processors.
The food banks then distribute the venison to soup kitchens and food pantries across the state.
Since the program’s inception in 2008, more than 500,000 pounds of venison have been donated by Hoosier hunters, according to Indiana DNR.
Taking part in the program is easy:
- Enjoy a deer hunting experience.
- Harvest a deer.
- Drop off the field-dressed deer at a local participating processor.
- Processing fees are paid for by Hunt for Hunger (no cost to the donating hunter).
- The processor creates healthy venison burger to distribute to food banks.
Click here to learn more about the Hunt for Hunger program.
This story was originally published by WISH-TV at wishtv.com/news/indiana-news/hunt-for-hunger-indiana.
