MassWildlife’s Hunters Share the Harvest Program

MassWildlife's Hunters Share the Harvest program provides an outlet for hunters to donate venison to Massachusetts residents facing food insecurity. Since the program's inception, more than 50,000 meals have been distributed to families in need.

How to donate your deer

For inclusion in the program deer must be:

• Recovered and field dressed within 4 hours after shot unless the ambient air temperature stays below 37°F.

• Dropped off whole and field dressed to a participating processor within 24 hours after shot.

• Legally reported and tagged with a confirmation number.

New this year: For each whole deer donation, a hunter will receive a no-cost replacement Antlerless Deer Permit in the zone of their choice (WMZ 9, 10, 11, 13, or 14). It may take 2–4 weeks for the permit to be added to the donor's account. For hunters that donate a whole deer before Thanksgiving, we will make every effort to issue replacement permits before the shotgun deer season. Hunters who donate a whole deer after Thanksgiving will receive the replacement permit for the following year. A valid hunting or sporting license is required to utilize the permit each year.

Donation options

Donate an entire deer
With the support of donors, hunters who donate their full deer pay no processing or packaging fees.

Donate a portion of your deer
Hunters can choose to donate a portion of their deer if it is processed entirely at an approved processor following all program requirements.

• Donate at least 10 pounds of processed venison from your deer and receive $50 off the cost of processing.

• Donate at least 20 pounds of processed venison from your deer and receive $100 off the cost of processing.

• Donate at least 30 pounds of processed venison from your deer and receive $150 off the cost of processing.

Custom Meat Services

We are fully prepared to do a quality job with your hard earned meat.

Custom Exempt Slaughter

We are thankful to have a fully licensed and insured slaughter house to process sheep, goat, and pigs. Custom exempt is a service to you for your animal. Bring yours or ask about buying one!

Deer Processing

This year we are offering a full-service deer processing service. Our facility is licensed by the USDA as a custom exempt slaughterhouse and are looking forward to serving our fellow hunters in this area!

Please call prior to drop off 508-631-4412

We are going to try to have 24 hr. drop off available.