Wisconsin DNR Encourages Participation in Deer Donation Program

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MADISON – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) encourages hunters and meat processors to participate in the DNR’s Deer Donation Program.

The program helps stock food pantries and supports residents in need throughout the state. Since the program began in 2000, hunters have donated over 100,000 deer, which were processed into over four million pounds of ground venison.

The DNR is pleased to announce an increase to the reimbursement rate for meat processors that accept deer donations through the DNR’s Deer Donation Program. Going forward, meat processors will be reimbursed $125 per deer (previously $100) or $135 per deer if CWD testing was required (previously $110). This increase is meant to encourage more meat processors to participate in the program.

The success of the program is ultimately driven by its dedicated participants – from the hunters putting in the hours in the field, to the meat processors who devote their time and labor, and our partners that host deer donation collection events. The DNR values everyone who contributes to the program’s success, big and small, and would also like to recognize several participants for championing program efforts to an exceptional degree:

Venison Processor Spotlight:

  • Joe’s Country Market is a meat processor in La Crosse. In 2025, they processed 153 donated deer (over 6,000 pounds of meat). This equates to over 24,000 servings of venison for community members in need.

Partner Spotlights:

  • Todd Morris with Green Lake County hosted deer donation collection events to benefit the Green Lake County Food Pantry.
  • Patrick Kilbey with Marquette County and lead volunteer, Mark Guderski hosted deer donation collection events to benefit the Care and Share Food Bank of Marquette County.
  • Jeffrey Lang in Wyocena hosted deer donation collection events to benefit the Wyocena Community Helping Hands Pantry.

If you are interested in participating:

  • Complete this online form if you are interested in becoming a participating venison processor.
  • Complete this online form if your charitable organization is interested in receiving venison donations.
  • Contact Marcus Rufledt at Marcus.Rufledt@wisconsin.gov if you are interested in hosting a deer donation collection event in an area without a conveniently located participating processor through our partners program.

Visit Wisconsin’s Deer Donation Program webpage to learn more about the program.

Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR

Published on: Aug 20, 2026 at 3:10 pm

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