A buck deer standing at attention during the rut and the Wisconsin rifle hunting season.
STURGEON BAY, WI (WTAQ) — As deer hunting season gets underway, the Door County Food Pantry Coalition is encouraging local hunters to put their deer tags to good use by donating venison to help feed neighbors facing hunger.
Through the Wisconsin DNR’s Deer Donation Program, hunters can donate legally harvested deer at participating local processors, free of charge. The venison is then processed and distributed to area food pantries, providing a valuable source of protein for local families.
In 2025, local Door County donations increased 61%, from 38 deer the previous year to 61 deer, according to the Door County Food Pantry Coalition.
“We hope to increase our numbers again this year,” said Adam Peronto, philanthropic services officer at the Door County Community Foundation.
For longtime Door County hunter Dick Baudhuin, donating venison has become a tradition. He has participated in the program since it began more than 25 years ago.
“There’s a shortage of high-protein meats to the food pantry,” said Baudhuin. “I keep one deer a year for myself, and the rest I take to the food pantry.”
With food costs continuing to strain household budgets, donations of venison help the Food Pantry Coalition’s 11-member pantries provide nutritious food to neighbors who need it.
The Wisconsin DNR’s Deer Donation Program has helped hunters turn their harvests into food assistance since 2000. Statewide, hunters have donated more than 100,000 deer, providing more than 4 million pounds of ground venison to charitable organizations.
How Hunters Can Donate
Hunters can bring their legally harvested, field-dressed and registered deer to either of these participating processors:
- Haberli Deer Processing: 4259 Haberli Road, Sturgeon Bay. (920) 493-1223.
- Marchant’s Meats & Sausage Wild Game Processing Center: 9420 Cemetery Road, Brussels. (920) 495-7013.
- Hunters should call ahead to confirm availability and bring their deer registration confirmation number.
Special Northern Door Drop-Off Saturday, November 28
A one-day collection site will be available at The Simple Solution, next to 106.9 The Lodge, 0331 North Water Street in Ephraim, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
All donated venison will be distributed to member food pantries through the Food Pantry Coalition.
For complete information about the program and donation requirements, visit the Wisconsin DNR Deer Donation Program.
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