Maine Hunters for the Hungry Program Expands as Firearms Season Approaches

October 28, 2025

AUGUSTA, Maine - With Maine Resident Only Day scheduled for Saturday, November 1, and the statewide Firearm Season opening Monday, November 3, the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry's (DACF) Maine Hunters for the Hungry program is ramping up efforts to combat food insecurity by encouraging hunters to donate their legally harvested game.

Each year, this program turns donated deer and moose into thousands of nutritious meals distributed through food pantries, shelters, and community kitchens statewide. A single deer can provide meals for up to 200 people.

Under the leadership of Gus Nelson, Director of the Emergency Food Assistance Program, the program expanded in 2025. Since spring, four new processors have joined the network, bringing the total to 26 licensed butchers. These partners play an important role in safely preparing donated game meat for distribution.

"Our three-legged stool includes hunters, processors, and pantries, and depends on each leg to be strong," said Nelson. As demand grows, we are always looking for additional licensed processors to join us. The more we build this network, the more community members we can feed.

Licensed meat processors interested in participating are encouraged to contact the program to learn more about joining the initiative.

With hunger on the rise and disruptions to nutrition programs, such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), due to the ongoing federal government shutdown, DACF is responding by increasing its reimbursement budget.

While we recognize that existing participating processors may be near or at capacity, this additional investment in the Hunters for the Hungry Program positions us to act promptly as new processing opportunities arise, said DACF Commissioner Amanda Beal.

DACF reimburses participating processors for their work preparing the donated game meat. This allows hunters to make a meaningful contribution at no additional cost while ensuring food safety and distribution logistics are handled professionally.

Hunters are encouraged to donate some or all of their legally harvested game this hunting season. Donations can be made by bringing the animal to a participating processor. Even a partial donation helps ensure more Maine families have access to nutritious protein this winter.

A full list of participating locations is available at Hunters for the Hungry website.

About Maine Hunters for the Hungry

The Maine Hunters for the Hungry program is a partnership between DACF and the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, working with hunters towards a common goal of helping Mainers in need. The program accepts bear, deer, and moose. When a connection can be made between a donor, a processor, and a pantry, hunters do not pay for the processing of donated meat. Meat processing costs are covered by the DACF or the non-profit organization that receives the food. Meat processors interested in participating should call 207-287-3491 or email H4H@maine.gov.