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Wild game donation program
Wild game donation program
The Department of Natural Resources wild game donation program is a perfect way for hunters to share their harvest by donating their deer at a participating processor. Each deer donated will provide an estimated 160 high-protein and nutritious meals. In addition, anyone can make a monetary donation on the DNR eLicense website, at any DNR retail license agent location or on the Michigan DNR Hunt Fish app.
The DNR has assembled a network of processors and charities to help channel wild game donations to those in need.
Venison donations
To donate venison, visit a participating processor. Below is a list of participating processors. Please call the processor prior to drop-off to ensure they will accept your donation. All deer must be legally harvested, harvest-reported and whole to be accepted for donation.
Processor name | Address | City | State | ZIP code | Phone number |
Carson Village Market | 10715 E. Carson City Road | Carson City | MI | 48811 | 989-584-3167 |
Clear Water Meats | 5976 Old Pipestone Road | Eau Claire | MI | 49111 | 269-208-4970 |
Davis Meat Processing | 1500 W. Marshall Road | St. Johns | MI | 48879 | 989-224-7863 |
Hanna-Davis Fine Meats | 4151 E. Eaton Highway | Sunfield | MI | 48890 | 517-566-8003 |
Ilowski's Sausage | 6650 St. Clair Highway | East China | MI | 48054 | 810-329-9117 |
Martins Meat Processing LLC | 1770 Sheldon Road | Sandusky | MI | 48471 | 810-648-2498 |
Mike's Processing | 12196 64th Ave. | Allendale | MI | 49401 | 616-895-6900 |
Richmond Meat Packers, Inc. | 68104 Main St. | Richmond | MI | 48062 | 586-727-1450 |
Soderman's Processing | 6207 Days River 24.5 Road | Gladstone | MI | 49837 | 906-428-2487 |
Tony's Processing | 1400 Joy Bell Lane | West Branch | MI | 48661 | 989-345-7454 |
Uncle Henry's Gourmet Meats | 1331 Piedmont St. | Troy | MI | 48084 | 248-740-8755 |
Deer from the following counties must be tested for CWD prior to donation: Clinton, Dickinson, Eaton, Gratiot, Hillsdale, Ingham, Ionia, Isabella, Jackson, Kent, Montcalm, Midland and Ogemaw.
Deer from the following counties must be tested for TB prior to donation: Alcona, Alpena, Antrim, Benzie, Cheboygan, Crawford, Emmet, Iosco, Mecosta, Montmorency, Ogemaw, Osceola, Oscoda, Otsego, Presque Isle, Roscommon and Shiawassee.
Deer harvested within 3 miles of Clark’s Marsh in Oscoda Township in Iosco County will not be accepted as donations due to the "Do Not Eat" deer advisory still in effect because of evidence that deer in this area were more likely to have various per- and polyfluorinated substances (PFAS) in their livers and muscle tissue. See more information about PFAS in deer.
Monetary donations
You can help offset the cost of processing and packaging venison by making a monetary donation when you purchase your hunting or fishing license.
- If you purchase your license on DNR eLicense, or the Michigan DNR Hunt Fish app, you can add your donation at checkout.
- If purchasing your license at a store, simply tell the retailer that you want to make a donation to the wild game donation program.
- Nonhunters can also join in and help provide food for needy families by making a donation.