Deer Donation Program

DEER DONATION PROGRAM

MNHA is not participating in the Farmers and Hunters Feed the Hungry program.  However, we are matching hunters who would like to donate a deer to others.  Hunters may donate a deer by contacting the HCS Manager.  The HCS Manager will maintain a list of potential recipients and contact the next in line when a deer is donated.

Deer must weigh at least 60 lbs dressed.  It must be legally tagged.  Deer must be whole. No road kill.  No "found deer."  

HUNTERS WHO HARVEST A DEER ON THE REFUGE

• Let the HCS Manager know you would like to donate your deer.

• Place the deer in the MNHA cooler (HCS managers will assist you in opening the cooler).

HUNTERS WHO HARVEST A DEER OFF THE REFUGE

Deer harvested OFF the refuge CANNOT under ANY circumstances be brought onto the refuge.  We will work with you and a recipient to arrange for an exchange somewhere else (like the butcher shop or your home).

• Hunters can call the HCS during operating hours.  Let us know if you will  drop it off at a butcher, if you are willing to drop it off at the recipient's location, or have them pick it up.

• The HCS Manager will contact a recipient and let them know.

PEOPLE REQUESTING A DONATED DEER

Those wishing to receive a donated deer, please call 301-327-3819 during HCS operating hours. The HCS Manager will take your contact information and place you on the list.  When a deer is donated, they will go through the list and notify the next in line.

CAVEATS

The recipient is responsible for transporting the deer to a butcher or taking it home and butchering it themselves. 

MNHA will not transport or butcher the deer under any circumstances.