The Wyoming Wildlife Federation’s Hunters for the Hungry program was created in an effort to connect hunters and meat processors with charitable food organizations to provide high-quality nutrition to community members in need. This program builds on a foundation of conservation stewards and meat processors who are looking to give back to local communities by sharing the harvest and further cultivating meaningful connections across Wyoming.
How to Donate Meat:
All portions of donated game meat must be marked as “wild game”, “not for sale”, and be marked with a donated sticker or stamp.
Step 1: Prepare Animal For Processing
Field dress your harvest as you would normally and get the carcass cooled down as soon as possible to prevent any meat spoilage. Make sure you have all necessary license and tag information accompanying the animal at time of processing. Then, if your harvest is a potential carrier of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD), be sure to pull a lymph node sample. That sample should be taken to a check station or a Game and Fish regional office to submit for testing.
Here is a video to explain CWD Sampling
Deer, elk and moose are all potential carriers of CWD and must be tested before being donated. Antelope, mountain goat, bighorn sheep, and bison DO NOT need to be tested. If you would like a CWD testing kit mailed to you, email info@wyomingwildlife.org
Step 2: Bring to Wild Game Processor
Hunters may donate portions of their harvest after the whole animal has been processed by specifying how many pounds of meat they would like to be contributed at the time of pick up. The other option is to donate a whole animal for processing. Hunters are responsible for paying for processing.
Step 3: Partnering Food Banks, Pantries, and Food Services Distribute
After processing, all portions of donated game meat must be marked as “wild game”, “not for sale”, and “CWD-Free” if applicable. Local partners then distribute the donated meat to those in need.
Current Participating Processors:
Matt’s Custom Meats
1655 Berger Ln
Jackson, WY 83001
(307) 201-5207
Shane Lesher
17 Carbine Lane
Lander, WY 82520
(307) 330-4068
Current Meat Distributors:
Hole Food Rescue, Jackson, WY
Lander Care and Share Food Bank, Lander, WY
Know of more food distributing partners or wild game processors who would like to be involved? Email info@wyomingwildlife.org
Program Supporters
HUNTERS FOR THE HUNGRY IS POSSIBLE BECAUSE OF THESE SUPPORTERS
The Issues Addressed
Each Program that Wyoming Wildlife Federation runs affects a variety of different conservation Issues. Click on an Issue to find out more about it.
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