Delaware’s deer hunters share part of their harvest each year with Delawareans in need. They provide thousands of pounds of venison through the Delaware Hunters Against Hunger program.

All donated deer are processed into ground venison, free of charge. The meat is distributed to participating charitable groups.

The program only accepts deer harvested and registered in Delaware.

The effort began in Delaware in 1992 as “Sportsmen Against Hunger,” a coalition of sporting groups and DNREC. It has provided more than two million meals to needy Delawareans.

Charitable organizations wishing to receive donated venison should contact the program at 302-735-8683.

Donating Deer

Hunters drop off donated deer at participating butcher shops or at coolers maintained by the DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife.

The coolers are self-serve, walk-in units. Each has a posted phone number for hunters to report their donation and alert DNREC staff to retrieve the donation and take it for processing. Except where notes, coolers are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Deer dropped off at a cooler must be field-dressed and registered by the hunter. The registration number must be written on the field tag attached to the deer.

The coolers are frequently checked. Donated deer are taken to private butcher shops or the butcher shop at the Sussex Community Corrections Center in Georgetown.

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