Sports
Illinois Hunters Can Donate Deer for Free to Help Feed Families
Urbana, IL – Illinois deer hunters have an opportunity to help families facing food insecurity this hunting season as a statewide donation program returns, allowing harvested deer to be donated at no
By Natalie Brooks · 2026-10-28T14:54:53.568Z
Urbana, IL – Illinois deer hunters have an opportunity to help families facing food insecurity this hunting season as a statewide donation program returns, allowing harvested deer to be donated at no cost to participating hunters.
According to the University of Illinois Extension, Hunters Feeding Illinois has launched its fifth season for 2026 27, connecting hunters, meat processors and food pantries to provide nutritious ground venison to residents in need.
Hunters Can Donate Harvested Deer at No Cost The program allows hunters to donate whole harvested deer to participating meat processors, which prepare the meat for distribution through local food pantries.
Hunters are encouraged to contact processors before delivering deer because available processing slots may become limited as the hunting season progresses.
Participating locations include processors in McLeansboro, Eureka, Louisville, Bridgeport, Martinsville, Clayton, Ashley, Springfield and numerous other Illinois communities.
The program operates through partnerships involving Feeding Illinois, Access Illinois Outdoors, Southern Illinois Food Pantry Network and University of Illinois Extension.
More Than 40,000 Pounds Distributed Last Season During the 2025 26 hunting season, Hunters Feeding Illinois distributed 40,712 pounds of ground venison to 43 food pantries across east central and southern Illinois.
Program organizers say approximately one in eight Illinois residents experiences food insecurity, making access to affordable protein an important concern.
Donations Can Help Cover Processing Costs Financial contributions are also accepted to help cover deer processing expenses.
Through a partnership with Feeding Illinois, monetary donations are matched dollar for dollar. Organizers say a $50 donation becomes $100, enough to cover processing one deer.
Hunters interested in participating should contact a listed processor to confirm availability before donating.
Residents can find participating processors, donation information and additional program details at go.illinois.edu/deerdonation.
The program offers Illinois hunters another way to support local communities while helping food pantries provide protein rich meals.