Missouri hunters will be able to donate extra deer meat to food banks this hunting season. The Missouri Department of Conservation and the Conservation Federation of Missouri are asking hunters to donate extra meat, as a part of the “Share the Harvest Program.”
The “Share the Harvest” program started in Columbia in 1992.
Director of Operations at the Conservation Federation of Missouri Micaela Haymaker says that hunters have plenty of time to donate their unwanted deer meat to help local Missourians.
“It starts September 15th with the archery season, and it goes all through rifle season. There’s different seasons throughout and it ends January 15th ,” said Haymaker.
Hunters do not have to be members of the Conservation Federation of Missouri to participate. Haymaker says that anyone with a tag from the Missouri Department of Conservation can donate their meat to the program.
Director of Operations at the Missouri Department of Conservation Joe Jerek explains why this program is beneficial to both hunters and other Missourians.
“Share the Harvest is a really a great opportunity to get much needed lean, healthy meat into the hands and mouths of hungry Missourians,” said Jerek.
There are currently two meat processors in Boone County that hunters can drop off the additional meat. On the Missouri Department of Conservation website, hunters can look up specific counties across the state where extra meat can be processed.