CHILLICOTHE, Ohio — Ross County hunters will have three chances this fall to drop off a harvested deer at the Ross County Fairgrounds to help stock Ohio food banks, as the state’s Field to Food Bank program returns for its second year.
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources’ Division of Wildlife is asking white-tailed deer hunters statewide to consider harvesting an extra deer to help feed Ohio families, according to the division. The Fairgrounds, at 344 Fairgrounds Road in Chillicothe, is one of several statewide drop-off points open during Deer Gun Week from Nov. 30 through Dec. 1 and Dec. 5-6, and again during the Bonus Deer Gun Weekend on Dec. 19-20, both from noon to 8 p.m., the division said.
Hunters must bring whole, field-dressed deer that have been properly tagged and game-checked, and must have a valid license and deer permit before heading afield unless exempted, the division said. Donated deer count toward county and statewide bag limits.
Once collected, Division of Wildlife staff transport the donated deer to the Ohio Penal Industries’ meat processing facility at Pickaway Correctional Institution for processing and packaging, according to the division. From there, the division works with the Ohio Association of Foodbanks to distribute the venison to regional food banks and pantries in need of protein.
The program launched last October and collected 182 deer in its first year, amounting to 36,400 venison servings for people in need, the division said. Hunters who cannot donate a harvest can instead make a monetary donation to help cover processing and packaging costs.
More information on the program and how to donate is available at ohiodnr.gov/DonateVenison, according to the division.
The information contained in this story was obtained from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.
