Processors Joining in Deer Processing Effort

If your first weekend of shotgun deer hunting season was successful, or if you've done well with your bow and are wishing to donate venison for the "Hunters Feeding Illinois" program, there are several locations participating in the program.

The partnership covers 16 counties in east-central Illinois and 16 counties in southern Illinois. That includes area counties of Effingham, Fayette, Jasper and Shelby.

Like previous years, hunters can donate whole harvested deer at no cost. Partnering meat processors are prepared to accept donated deer. Hunters are encouraged to phone processors in advance to confirm they have slots to accept deer.

Area processors participating include Connelly Locker in Martinsville, Howe's Custom Deer Processing in Cowden, Windy Ridge Processing in Shobonier, and Blair's Slaughtering and Processing and Salt and Strings, both in Louisville.