12-17-2025 11:49pm

ODNR Collected 3,350 Pounds of Processed Deer to Support Local Food Pantries

Beth Callahan Editor

COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife helped collect 3,350 pounds of processed venison during the weeklong deer gun season to support local food pantries. Deer donation days were held at select locations across the state and more drop off days are planned to allow hunters to donate deer from the additional gun weekend and muzzleloader season.

“It’s thanks to Ohio’s hunters from across our great state that families will have the option to pick up venison at a local food pantry,” said ODNR Director Mary Mertz. “It’s truly amazing what we can accomplish when we come together with a common goal.”

This year, the Division of Wildlife partnered the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction’s (ODRC) Ohio Penal Industries’ (OPI) meat processing facility at the Pickaway Correctional Institution (PCI) for the donation days. So far, 1,150 pounds of venison have been given to the Ohio Association of Foodbanks for distribution to West Ohio Foodbank (Allen, Hancock, Hardin, and Wyandot counties), Mid-Ohio Food Collective (Delaware, Knox, Licking, Marion, and Union counties), and Second Harvest Food Bank of North Central Ohio (Crawford County).

“The meat processing center provides a great opportunity for our incarcerated population to gain valuable experiences in the workforce,” said ODRC Director Annette Chambers-Smith. “This partnership with ODNR provides these men a chance to apply those skills and give back to Ohio during the holiday season.”

There is approximately 2,200 more pounds of venison being prepared for distribution and 20 more deer that will be processed this week. The Division of Wildlife transported a total of 88 deer for processing and packaging. One deer can provide up to 200 meals.

More donation dates and locations that coincide with the additional gun weekend and muzzleloader season are as follows:

Deer Gun Hunting Weekend
Dates: Saturday, December 20 & Sunday, December 21
Time: 2-8 p.m.
Locations:

Killdeer Plains
Delaware Shooting Range
Hebron Fish Hatchery
Hardin County Fairgrounds

Muzzleloader Hunting Season
Dates: Saturday, January 3 & Sunday, January 4
Time: 2-8 p.m.
Locations:

Killdeer Plains
Delaware Shooting Range
Hebron Fish Hatchery
Hardin County Fairgrounds

All donated deer were required to be properly tagged and game checked, and hunters were required to have a license and deer permit before heading into the field, unless exempted. A donated deer counts toward county and statewide bag limits. Visit wildohio.gov to see the 2025-26 Hunting and Trapping Regulations or to purchase a license or permit.

The mission of the Division of Wildlife is to conserve and improve fish and wildlife resources and their habitats for sustainable use and appreciation by all. Visit wildohio.gov to find out more. ODNR ensures a balance between wise use and protection of our natural resources for the benefit of all. Visit the ODNR website at ohiodnr.gov. ODRC is dedicated to its mission of reducing recidivism among those we touch. For more information on how we stay on that mission, visit drc.ohio.gov.