ODNR Collected Pounds of Deer to Support Local Food Pantries
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife helped collect 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 and more drop off days are planned to allow hunters to donate deer from the additional gun weekend and muzzleloader season.
ODNR and ODRC collected and processed donated venison during the weeklong deer gun season.
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.
Donated venison has been given to the Ohio Association of Foodbanks for distribution.
There is approximately 2,200 more pounds of venison being prepared for distribution and 20 more deer that will be processed this week. The Division of Wildlife transported a total of 88 deer for processing and packaging. One deer can provide up to 200 meals.
More donation dates and locations that coincide with the additional gun weekend and muzzleloader season are as follows:
Deer Gun Hunting Weekend
Saturday, December 20 & Sunday, December 21 from: 2:00-8:00 p.m.
Locations: Killdeer Plains, Delaware Shooting Range, Hebron Fish Hatchery, Hardin County Fairgrounds
Muzzleloader Hunting Season
Saturday, January 3 and Sunday, January 4 from 2:00-8:00 p.m.
Locations: Killdeer Plains, Delaware Shooting Range, Hebron Fish Hatchery, Hardin County Fairgrounds
All donated deer were required to be properly tagged and game checked, and hunters were required to have a license and deer permit before heading into the field, unless exempted. A donated deer counts toward county and statewide bag limits. Visit wildohio.gov to see the 2025-26 Hunting and Trapping Regulations or to purchase a license or permit.
The mission of the Division of Wildlife is to conserve and improve fish and wildlife resources and their habitats for sustainable use and appreciation by all. Visit wildohio.gov to find out more.
