Welcome to the National Deer Association’s (NDA) Venison Processor Map! Here, you can easily locate the nearest venison processors and identify those participating in venison donation programs. NDA is committed to promoting antlerless harvests while positively impacting our local communities.Â
Hunters play a vital role in maintaining a healthy deer population, including ensuring an appropriate buck-to-doe ratio. But what should you do when your freezer is full, yet there’s still a need for additional antlerless harvests? This is where venison donation programs come in.
There are various venison donation programs available, which can differ by state and may include initiatives such as Share the Harvest, Hunters Against Hunger, Hunters for the Hungry, and many others. These programs partner with local food banks to provide lean protein to community members in need, helping to address hunger while supporting wildlife management.
Directions for Using This Map
This map is designed to help you easily locate a nearby venison processor. Processors are marked with either an orange or green dot. All dots represent processors that handle venison; however, green dots specifically indicate processors that accept donated deer and will coordinate the donation with a local food bank or venison donation program. To find a processor in your area, you can either zoom in on your state or enter your zip code in the search bar at the top right corner. Simply hover over a dot and click it to view the processor’s contact information, which will appear in a text box at the bottom right corner. We recommend calling the processor in advance to confirm their services before bringing in your deer.
Venison Donations and CWD Testing
Testing requirements for Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in donated venison vary by state. The National Deer Association (NDA) advocates for donated venison from deer harvested in CWD surveillance areas to undergo testing before being distributed to food banks. This precaution helps ensure that CWD-positive meat does not enter the food supply. While there have been no confirmed cases of humans contracting CWD through consumption of infected meat, the CDC advises against eating known CWD-positive venison. To learn more about CWD testing requirements in your state, you can find state-specific information here.
Join a Donation Program
If you are a deer processor and would like to learn more about joining a venison donation program in your state, check out the link below.
Add a Processor
Don't see your processor on the map? Simply submit your information using the form linked below, and we'll get you added.
Importance of Antlerless Deer Harvest
Antlerless deer harvest is a vital tool in managing deer populations across the United States. By reducing the number of does, hunters help prevent overpopulation, which can lead to negative environmental impacts and increased vehicle collisions. A wonderful way to make the most of the venison from these deer is by donating the meat to local food banks through venison donation programs, which provide much-needed protein to communities facing food insecurity.
Venison processors play a crucial role in this process by acting as facilitators between hunters and food banks. They use their specialized skills to process donated deer meat and ensure it is safely delivered to those in need. Their involvement not only supports local communities but also helps combat hunger. Recognizing the importance of these efforts, NDA launched this map initiative to connect hunters with processors and food banks. Through programs like these, we will continue to encourage antlerless deer harvests and the donation of venison to further support wildlife management and communities in need.