Venison Donation Efforts Expand This Deer Season

If your hunting property needs more deer harvested than you can put in the freezer, consider a deer-donation program like Georgia Hunters For The Hungry.

Significant efforts are underway this season to expand venison donations efforts in Georgia. The longest-running program, Georgia Hunters For The Hungry (GHFTH), has been active for more than 30 years, and this deer season the number of participating processors has tripled. Last year there were 12 processors in the state for Hunters For The Hungry. This season, the program is listing 35 processors, with a goal to reach 50.

GHFTH is already up and running this season with donations from bowhunters, and venison already processed into ground meat will fill an important need in storm-ravaged areas of Georgia.

“Today (Oct. 8), we’re taking 600 pounds to Augusta to their food pantry because they’re out of protein,” said Mike Worley, President and CEO of the Georgia Wildlife Federation. “On Thursday, we’re doing a fundraising dinner in Statesboro, and even though they got pretty hard hit by Hurricane Helene, the local committee wanted to go ahead with the banquet. We’re going to take 500 to 600 pounds of ground venison to the local food pantry in Statesboro. It’s already doing some remarkable work this season.”

Another major venison donation effort in the state is the Georgia Hunting & Fishing Federation’s Sportsman’s Pantry, which has 15 processors this year set up to take donated deer. The Venison Project, an effort led by the Seek One crew, will host two special “Doe-Day” venison-donation events in Georgia, including one this Saturday, Oct. 12, in Newborn and another scheduled for January in Roswell.

With each of these venison donation programs, there is no cost to the hunter. If you need to harvest more deer on your property than you, your family and friends can eat or that you can afford to process, please consider donating a deer through one of these programs.

Georgia Hunters For The Hungry

The dramatic upgrade of the GHFTH program this year is the direct result of money set aside by Georgia lawmakers.

“The Georgia General Assembly stepped up with an appropriation for Hunters For The Hungry in the DNR budget this year,” said GWF’s Mike Worley. “Legislators came up with this—they like the program. We didn’t lobby for any funding, but we are tremendously grateful. There are a lot of deer in Georgia, and there is a lot of food insecurity. This is terrific way for hunters to give back to their community. Foundational part, hunting heritage remains and even the non-hunting public can see the good work that hunters do. The vast majority of conservation work is paid for by hunters and anglers. Now hunters through their harvest are giving back to the community.

“Municipal Development Services (MDS) is one of our sponsors, and we’re working on other donations,” Mike added.

“Venison is the ultimate high-protein, low-fat, organic meat,” the GHFTH website says. “You can help get this quality protein from the woods, to a local food bank, and onto the tables of those in your community that need it most. Participate by donating a deer to a participating processor near you. The Georgia Wildlife Federation also asks that you consider donating to the GWF or becoming a sponsor. A $15 gift will process enough venison for 40 meals.”

The processing rate is $2.50 per pound. Interested processors can APPLY ONLINE. Contact Adam Schiavone at 470.660.3880 for more information.

Charlie Killmaster, Georgia Deer Biologist for the Wildlife Resources Division (WRD), wrote in a post on the GON Forum, “We are trying to expand Hunters for the Hungry, particularly in agricultural areas. We’ve been seeing a lot of agricultural damage, and we’d rather hunters shoot some extra does in these areas and donate them than farmers having to kill them on permits. Please encourage any deer processors in areas with a fair amount of agriculture you know to sign up for taking donations, and (hunters) consider taking an extra doe to donate—preferably not during peak weekends when processors are likely to be full already. No one likes deer getting killed outside season on permits, let’s try to solve this problem with hunting.”

Hunters interested in participating in the GHFTH program can bring field-dressed deer to any of the following designated drop-off locations during the processor’s normal business hours.

Alma: CH Farm and Meats, 1308 Ga Highway 32 E: 912.632.1943
Appling: Game Over Processing and Taxidermy, 6139 Washington Rd: 706.990.7270
Ashburn: Daniel’s Creek Processing, LLC, 1478 Joe Sumner Rd: 229.376.4138
Ball Ground: North Georgia Deer Processing, 1610 Arnold Spence Rd: 770.883.9786
Baxley: Driggers Deer Processing 500 Beaver Rd: 912.339.2712
Blairsville: McClure’s Processing, 240 Wilson Rd, Blairsville: 706.994.7982
Columbus: Daffin’s Meat Processing, 914 Neill Dr: 706.322.8848
Cornelia: Cypress Processing and Taxidermy, 3147 Alto Mud Creek Rd: 678.343.3066
Covington: Holifield Deer Processing, 2536 Hwy 81 South: 770.401.9257
Covington: Steve Bishop’s Taxidermy and Deer Processing, 1814 Highway 11 S: 770.787.0840
Cuthbert: The Rack Shack Processing, 90440 Hwy 27: 229.881.0527
Dahlonega: Rock Acres Deer Processing, 349 Rock Acres Rd: 706.300.7233
Danielsville: Pocataligo Processing, 2025 Wesley Chapel Rd: 706.247.6391
Dawson: Mossey Creek Outdoors, 2788 Americus Hwy: 229.995.4109
Dawsonville: The Steel Buffalo Butchery, 1500 Harmony Church Rd: 706.216.2170
Dexter: Papa’s Deer and Hog Processing, 511 N Line St: 478.595.6859
Dublin: Trails End Deer Processing, 915 South Poplar Springs Church Rd: 478.983.4027
Dublin: Ronnie’s Deer Processing, 1022 Jimmie Stevens Rd: 478.595.2138
Eastman: J & A Deer Processing, 5420 Rhine Hwy: 478.231.6349
Eatonton: The Meat Shed, 235 New Phoenix Rd: 478.258.0019
Ellijay: Tailscreek Processing, 34 Burgess Circle: 706.273.8928
Fort Valley: Georgia’s Best Processing, 1457 Aultman Rd: 478.825.7664
Gray: Wayside Deer Processing, 1495 Monticello Hwy: 478.550.5682
Hawkinsville: Harris Kuntry Meats, 66 Cochran Hwy: 478.783.3276
Jacksonville: South GA Taxidermy and Custom Processing, 4568 Hwy 441: 229.860.1102
Keysville: Knights Butchering and Processing, 595 Pebble Rd: 706.554.3248
Kite: Triple Cross Deer, Processing 8473 Pinetucky Rd: 478.469.3609
Metter: Zerwig Processing, 35978 GA Highway 23 N: 912.682.7256
Newborn: Newborn Taxidermy & Deer Processing, 4227 Hwy 142: 770.786.3350
Nicholls: Kicks Meats LLC, 329 Green Lantern Rd: 912.531.5175
Ocilla: Ocilla Meat Market, 509 E 4th St: 229.457.2056
Pelham: Buck Creek Deer Processing, 4580 Stage Coach Road: 229.421.5397
Roopville: Southern Traditions Deer Processing, 86 Victory Ln: 770.854.4740
Royston: Bonds Processing, 2741 Freeman Rd: 706.436.3335
Savannah: Wise Brothers Processing and Taxidermy, 326 Bush Rd #A: 912.433.1340
Senoia: Blacks Deer Processing, 555 Morgan Mill Rod: 678.770.1560
Sparta: Garner’s Grinder, 18630 GA Highway 16: 706.444.9228

Sportsman’s Pantry

Sportsman’s Pantry is a venison donation program administered by the Georgia Hunting and Fishing Federation (GHFF). In its first year in 2011, the GHFF’s Sportsman Pantry donated more than 7,000 pounds of ground deer meat to help families in need across Georgia. This program is a collaboration between the Georgia Hunting & Fishing Federation, Safari Club International of Georgia and Farmers and Hunters for the Hungry.

“We’ve set up deer-processing centers around the state where donated deer are prepared and given to local groups helping families,” said GHFF President Reggie Dickie. “There is no cost to hunters to donate a deer, and the GHFF doesn’t take a dime—everything goes into Sportsman’s Pantry.”

• Note: Zoller’s in Springfield is no longer a Sportman’s Pantry drop-off location.

Venison donation programs have long relied on cooperation from processors, local food banks, and of course sportsmen who help fund the efforts and donate deer.

The Venison Project

The Venison Project is a non-profit initiative founded by the Seek One team. According to the website, The Venison Project is “dedicated to uniting the hunting community and supporting local communities in need with venison harvested by hunters. In January 2024, The Venison Project’s first public event saw more than 200 hunters come together, yielding 700 pounds of venison for homeless shelters in downtown Atlanta. With a mission to combine a love for hunting with community service, The Venison Project is expanding, aiming to open a donation/processing facility in Atlanta by 2025. We invite hunters and supporters to get involved through donations or participation in future events, helping to make a positive impact in both the hunting community and local food security.

“We’re taking ‘Doe Days’ on the road  to four cities across the Southeast! The purpose of these events is to give hunters an outlet to donate a deer, as well as gather with the local hunting community around a good cause. Each event will be in partnership with a local deer processor that will accept donated deer for a period of time leading up to the event. Hunters that donate a deer will gain free admission to the event which are typically hosted on Saturday’s. The Venison Project will cover all processing fees and will transport the processed venison to local shelters and ministries. Hunter’s who do not donate a deer will be charged a ticket fee, which goes toward the processing fees. Events include food, drinks, live music, and more…” Ticketing information can be found below.

Newborn Oct. 11-13 Deer Donation Drop-off: Tackle your deer-management efforts before rut and help support The Venison Project! We will be accepting donated deer at Newborn Deer Processing in Newborn starting Friday, Oct. 11 through Sunday, Oct. 13 during normal business hours. The Venison Project will cover all processing fees and will donate the venison to our partner homeless shelters and ministries.

Oct. 12 “Doe Days” In Newborn: We are hosting an event on Saturday night, Oct. 12 at “Lucy’s Wings and Things” in Newborn from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Come join the local hunting community for fellowship, food, drinks and a good cause!

Event includes:

• Seek One Meet and Greet
• Famous AYCE Venison Chili
• 2 Drink Tickets (beer or soda)
• Live Music
• Swag Bag with purchase of ticket

How to Attend

• This is an exclusive event for the first 150 people who purchase tickets, and anyone who receives a ticket by donating a deer to Newborn Processing between Oct. 11-12.
• $50 ticket without donation of deer.
• Kids under 12 are free.

For more information, visit thevenisonproject.org.