STURGEON BAY, WI — With deer season now under way, the Door County Food Pantry Coalition is calling on local hunters to use their deer tags for a good cause. Through the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources’ Deer Donation Program, legally harvested deer can be dropped off at participating processors at no cost, then processed and sent to the coalition’s eleven member pantries.
Rising donations show community impact
In 2025, Door County hunters contributed 61 deer, a 61% increase over the 38 donated in 2024. “We hope to increase our numbers again this year,” said Adam Peronto, philanthropic services officer at the Door County Community Foundation. The added venison provides a high‑protein food source for families struggling with rising grocery prices.
Long‑time tradition of giving
Veteran hunter Dick Baudhuin, who has participated since the program’s inception over 25 years ago, says donating venison has become a family tradition. “There’s a shortage of high‑protein meats at the food pantry,” Baudhuin explained. “I keep one deer a year for myself, and the rest I take to the food pantry.”
How to donate
Hunters may bring field‑dressed, registered deer to any of the approved processors listed by the DNR. A special one‑day collection will be held on Saturday, November 28, at The Simple Solution, located next to 106.9 The Lodge at 0331 North Water Street in Ephraim, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. All venison received will be distributed to the coalition’s member pantries.
Statewide effort
Since its launch in 2000, Wisconsin’s Deer Donation Program has enabled hunters across the state to turn their harvests into charitable food assistance. More than 100,000 deer have been donated statewide, yielding over four million pounds of ground venison for nonprofits.
Why it matters
Food costs continue to strain household budgets, especially in rural areas where incomes are modest and grocery options limited. By converting a portion of each hunter’s harvest into nutritious meat, the program helps local pantries meet the dietary needs of neighbors facing hunger, reinforcing the community’s tradition of self‑reliance and mutual aid.
Getting more involved
Hunters interested in participating should review the Wisconsin DNR Deer Donation Program guidelines online for details on eligibility, tagging requirements, and processor locations. The Door County Food Pantry Coalition encourages anyone who cannot hunt to support the effort through volunteer time or monetary donations, ensuring the program’s continued success.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
