Pennsylvania deer hunters have once again demonstrated their unmatched generosity by setting another record for venison donations through Hunters Sharing the Harvest.<\/p>\n
During the 2025-26 hunting seasons, hunters donated 294,844 pounds of venison from 8,382 deer harvested across Pennsylvania, making the state the nation\u2019s leading venison donation state for yet another year. The year\u2019s donation total equates to approximately 1.2 million servings of lean, nutritious venison distributed to food-insecure individuals and families throughout Pennsylvania.<\/p>\n
\u201cEach year, Pennsylvania hunters continue to raise the bar,\u201d said HSH founder John Plowman. \u201cMore than 294,000 pounds of donated venison is an incredible accomplishment and a powerful reminder that hunting is about much more than the harvest.<\/p>\n
\u201cHunters across the Commonwealth continue to embrace hunting as social service, providing healthy, locally sourced protein to neighbors facing food insecurity. This record belongs to every hunter, processor, volunteer, donor and partner who made it possible.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture remains a cornerstone partner, providing state and federal hunger relief funding that helps reimburse participating processors for converting donated deer into ground venison for local food banks and pantries.<\/p>\n
\u201cHunting and generosity are both part of Pennsylvania\u2019s heritage,\u201d said Pennsylvania Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding. \u201cHunters Sharing the Harvest demonstrates the best of both traditions by connecting hunters with families who need nutritious food. Every pound donated helps stretch household budgets while supporting a stronger, healthier Pennsylvania.\u201d<\/p>\n
Supportive deer herd management by the Pennsylvania Game Commission continues to provide hunters with opportunities to harvest multiple deer each season. HSH offers those hunters a meaningful way to put additional venison on the tables of families facing food insecurity while contributing to responsible wildlife management.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen hunters donate through Hunters Sharing the Harvest, they\u2019re helping to feed Pennsylvanians while also contributing to effective deer management across the Commonwealth,\u201d said Steve Smith, executive director of the Pennsylvania Game Commission. \u201cThis new record reflects the generosity of our hunters and the important role they play in serving both wildlife conservation and their local neighbors in need.\u201d<\/p>\n
Today, HSH partners with more than 110 licensed deer processors across 56 Pennsylvania counties. Ground venison is distributed through regional food banks, pantries and soup kitchens in partnership with Feeding Pennsylvania and Hunger-Free Pennsylvania, ensuring the donated meat reaches local families who need it most.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re incredibly proud of what this program continues to accomplish,\u201d said HSH Board Chairman Bill Sordoni. \u201cSetting another all-time record while once again leading the nation in venison donations demonstrates the extraordinary commitment of Pennsylvania\u2019s hunting community. Every donated deer is compassion in action, and every pound of venison helps strengthen families and communities across our Commonwealth.\u201d<\/p>\n
High-quality protein remains one of the greatest needs among the families served by Pennsylvania\u2019s food banks said Julie Bancroft, CEO of Feeding Pennsylvania. Hunters Sharing the Harvest provides a unique and valuable source of nutritious food that helps meet that need while strengthening communities throughout the state.<\/p>\n
Since its founding in 1991, HSH has now provided more than 3.3 million pounds of venison, representing more than 13 million servings for Pennsylvanians experiencing hunger.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe need for food assistance remains significant across Pennsylvania,\u201d said Sean Kerins, interim executive director of Hunger-Free Pennsylvania. \u201cPrograms like Hunters Sharing the Harvest continue to make a meaningful difference by providing healthy, locally sourced protein to our neighbors. We are grateful for the dedication of Pennsylvania\u2019s hunters and proud to partner in this important mission.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hunters wishing to participate need only legally harvest, tag and field dress a deer before taking it to a participating HSH processor. A complete list of participating processors and donation information is available at www.ShareDeer.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n Nearly 60 volunteer county coordinators help support participating processors and promote the program in communities across Pennsylvania. Individuals interested in volunteering are encouraged to visit the website to learn more.<\/p>\n \u201cWhile we\u2019re celebrating another historic season, the need continues to grow,\u201d Plowman said. \u201cRecord donations also mean record processing costs. We invite businesses, foundations and individuals to join us in ensuring every hunter who wants to donate a deer has the opportunity to do so, and every family in need can benefit from this remarkable tradition of generosity.\u201d<\/p>\n