Can I give a deer away?

[Dan]

If I have a doe permit and shoot a doe, can I give it to someone I know that needs the meat more than I do? Do you have to write a note or does anyone know if there is a legal procedure you have to follow?

[djkimmel]

You can give the meat away to anyone of a legal deer. If you give the whole deer away, keep any required tag with it to keep it a legal deer.

Technically, the person receiving the deer needs a license also to possess that deer, but if you take it to their home and give it to them, I would not expect anything to come of that unless some strange person called the MDNR and reported it for some reason.

That's the best I can determine at this time.

[Dan]

Thanks Dan

[motocross269]

Hunters give meat to homeless shelters all of the time..I don't think it would be an issue...
If you are giving the "whole" deer to a friend I would give him the tag just in case...
Call the DNR hotline if you are really concerned...
It is very nice of you to take care of your buddy like that...

[mikesmiph]

I have a family that I have "adopted". I help them out in any way I can. I give them meat every year. Never had a problem with it. Never gave them the whole deer though. Nice of you to want to help. Anyone else that feels the need to help needy people, I have a whole list. Thanks

[djkimmel]

The Michigan donation program for deer is designed to go through participating licensed processors who then donate the deer. It is a spelled out program - Michigan Sportsmen Against Hunger program - with known participants, not designed to just donate your deer to any charity through any means. The web site for the program is at www.sportsmenagainsthunger.org.

[djkimmel]

Donating individually to someone is a separate issue, and a very nice gesture to help someone out who can use the help. Thanks.

[MIBassKid]

If anyone around the Lansing area is looking for venison this season let me know. I plan to take a few deer yet this year but have limited freezer space.
-Luke

[Dan]

Don't want to put a damper on donating to those in need, but if you have limited freezer space you may want to consider canning your venison. It has a shelf life of at least a year. It's easy to do and taste great. My kids use to open a jar after school and eat it out of the jar. All you need is some jars, rings, and lids and a pressure cooker. You do need the big pressure cooker, but you might be able to borrow someone's. All you do is cube the meat in about one to two inch squares drop it in the jar, no liquid, just a pinch of salt. That's it. Pressure cook for about 50 minutes or whatever it says to do meat in your pressure cooker directions. Works great, easy, no freezer burn, and you can use it in all kinds of recipes.

[motocross269]

I had a Cattle farm up the road from me where I grew up..(Eaton Rapids)..They used to can beef..It was awesome...Sounds kind of gross, but it was super tender and the gravy out of the can was delicious...

[djkimmel]

Hmmmm.... torn between being hungry and grossed out... we did can a lot of non-meat items when I was a kid though.