Hunters Helping the Hungry is a program that allows hunters to donate whole field-dressed deer at participating processors to be distributed by charitable organizations and food pantries statewide. Monetary donations made by individuals or companies cover the processing costs of this program that gives back to Nebraskans statewide.

How to contribute

Tax-deductible cash contributions to support the program can be made in two ways:

1) Make a contribution online today by selecting the “donate” icon at the bottom of our permits website.

2) Write a check made out to Nebraska Game & Parks Commission, with HHH written in the memo field and mail it to: Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, ATTN Hunters Helping the Hungry, 2200 N 33rd St, PO Box 30370, Lincoln, NE 68503-0370.

How to donate a deer

Hunters can donate a deer at a contracted processor beginning with the first day of the deer archery season, and ending on the day after the late antlerless deer season ends. However, some contracted processors may only accept deer for a part of this period. Hunters are reminded that any donated deer must be legally harvested with any valid Nebraska deer permit and checked through Telecheck or at a November firearm check station. Hunters may keep the deer head, antlers and cape, but should contact a contracted processor to discuss removal of those portions. The program will not pay for removal. There is no limit to the number of deer a hunter may donate, however the number of deer donated at a processor location may be limited based on the available program funds to pay for the processing.

Participating processors

Nebraska Game and Parks seeks applications from interested processors each year. Selected processors are announced each August.

2022-2023 processors include:

• • Amherst – Belschner Custom Meats (*Note: Belschner Custom Meats has hit their quota for the Hunters Helping the Hungry program and will not be accepting anymore deer.)
  • Norfolk – R&M Meats
  • North Platte – Kelley’s Custom Pack
  • Ulysses – The Butchery
  • Table Rock – Den’s
  • Franklin – Franklin Locker
  • Lindsay – Melcher’s

View map of HHH processors in Nebraska

Processing restrictions

Since processing costs must be covered by donated funds, contracts limit the number of deer processors can accept annually. Only deer expected to yield at least 40 pounds of ground venison may be donated. Only whole, field-dressed deer can be accepted; hunters may not keep any venison.

Frequently asked questions

More information about donating deer, receiving deer, participating processors, restrictions and more can be found on our Hunters Helping the Hungry FAQ page.

Show your support

We’ve partnered with Farm Focused, a Nebraska-based company, to offer Hunters Helping the Hungry apparel you can wear to show your support; 100% of the profits from every item sold will be donated to HHH program.

Thanks to our previous donors

Since our program’s inception, Hunters Helping the Hungry has provided more than 700,000 meals  (1/4 lb. serving of venison) because with your donations! Working together, we can keep that number rising!

In 2021, the program received $10,000 from the BassPro Cabela’s Outdoor Fund, $5,000 from Scheels, and Farm Focused contributed $1,500 in donated profits from sales of HHH Gear.

The Hunters Helping the Hungry program is very grateful to the following donors who contributed more than $30,000 combined to support the program in its first year: Cabela’s Club VISA, CBSHome, the David Scott Foundation, HOME Real Estate, HomeServices of America, Inc., the Metropolitan Utilities District, Northern Natural Gas, Tenaska Marketing Ventures, and Woods Brothers Realty.

Contact

For more information, email Jordyn Riha at jordyn.riha@nebraska.gov or call her at 402-471-5431.