Minnesota Hunters Donate Record Amount of Venison

(MNN)- Minnesota hunters donated nearly 14,000 pounds of venison to food shelves and feeding programs last year, a jump of more than 50% from 2024. State officials say the Hunter Harvested Venison Donation Program processed 403 donated deer in 2025, the highest total in a decade. They credit strong participation during the regular hunting season and in special late-December hunts for the boost. The program, created in 2007, reimburses licensed processors and follows strict food-safety standards. Officials say the donated venison provides an important protein source for Minnesotans facing food insecurity.