News  Hunters donated 17,800 meals in 2023

The fall hunting seasons have concluded and MassWildlife's 2023 Hunters Share the Harvest totals are in! Seventy-four generous hunters donated venison through the Program last year. This is equal to about 17,800 nutritious meals for families struggling with food insecurity. The Program also received monetary donations from 22 individuals to help cover the cost of processing and packaging.

The Program has come a long way in just a few years. MassWildlife Hunters Share the Harvest Program in 2022 with one venison donation site and one distribution partner. In the pilot year, hunters donated more than 3,000 meals. By the end of 2023, three processing locations and five food distribution organizations had joined the effort. 

Hunters play an important role in conserving our forests and providing food to our communities. Regulated hunting can help forests by reducing impacts of overabundant deer. It is estimated that over 15% of Massachusetts households do not have access to sufficient food to meet their basic needs. So, donations of venison—an organic, lean source of protein—make a big difference. 

Thanks to our partners

At the close of this successful season, MassWildlife would like to thank everyone who contributed and spread the word about Hunters Share the Harvest:

• Haskins Custom Butchering, Ventura's Meat Market, and the Country Butcher for processing deer donations
• Massachusetts Military Support Foundation Inc., Daniel's Table, Herring Pond Wampanoag Tribe, Wampanoag Tribe of Aquinnah, and Worcester County Food Bank for distributing venison to those in need
• 22 individual donors who sponsored packaging and processing costs
• Berkshire County League of Sportsmen, Mass Conservation Alliance, Mass Audubon, Massachusetts Outdoor Heritage Foundation, Middleboro Sportsmen's Club, Plymouth County League of Sportsmen, Safari Club International New England Foundation, Schwab Charitable Foundation, Somerset Sportsman's Club, and the Worcester County League of Sportsmen Clubs for monetary, equipment, and logistic support

Looking ahead

MassWildilfe plans to expand the Program in the coming years, here's how you can help:

• Monetary donations will help cover the processing and packaging costs for donated meat. A donation of $50 will provide about 75 servings of meat for families in need.
• Consider donating your harvest or a portion of your deer next season, visit mass.gov/ShareTheHarvest to learn more.
• Meat processors, food pantries, hunger relief agencies, or other organizations who want to participate in MassWildlife’s Hunters Share the Harvest program in the future should contact Martin Feehan, MassWildlife’s Deer and Moose Project Leader, at martin.feehan@mass.gov.