By Jennifer Whittaker Farm Bureau Georgia
Farmers who shoot deer eating their crops under a crop damage permit issued by the Wildlife Resources Division of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) are encouraged to donate the deer to the Georgia Hunters for the Hungry (GHFTH) program. There are 23 participating deer processors across Georgia that farmers with crop damage permits may contact to coordinate dropping off or having the processor picking up deer harvested under the permit.
The venison will be donated to food banks in the farmer’s community to help fight food insecurity. Each donated pound of venison will provide four servings of protein.
Visit https://gwf.org/ghfth/ or call 770-787-7887 for more information about donating deer harvested under a crop damage permit to the Hunters for the Hungry program.
GHFTH, administered by the Georgia Wildlife Federation, has been operating since 1993 to provide high quality protein to those in need. During deer season, hunters donate deer they harvest to participating processors at no charge. The processor packages the venison by the pound and distributes the meat to the needy in their community. Processors work with foodbanks, civic or religious organizations to coordinate dispersal.
Last year, the General Assembly appropriated $300,000 to pay processors $2.50/lb to process deer with the goal of recruiting 50 processors statewide and distributing 120,000 pounds of venison during the 2024-2025 hunting season.
To find a deer processor participating in the GHFTH program, visit https://gwf.org/ghfth/ for an interactive map with all participating processors. The current list is also provided below. If you are a deer processor interested in participating, there’s an application link at the same website.
How to secure a crop damage permit
Farmers can secure crop damage permits from the Georgia (DNR) to harvest deer from spring through the growing season. Visit www.gooutdoorsgeorgia.com to apply for a deer depredation permit in the licenses/permits section. Applications must be made online because applicants must pin the fields they will hunt using a GPS feature. Call 1-800-366-2661 to request help with navigating the online application.
Georgia Farm Bureau has worked with DNR to streamline the permitting process. Farmers can request permits before planting to begin managing nuisance as soon as crops are planted. Antlered deer can be added to permits upon request, and permittees can include up to six people to serve as assistants.
Visit https://gfb.ag/deercropdamagepermits to read more about crop damage permits.
Participating processors
BACON
CH Farm and Meats
1308 Ga Highway 32 E, Alma, Ga 31510
Limited Hours; Call first
BANKS
Harris Meats
1554 McCoy Bridge Rd, Homer, Ga 30547
Mon-Sat 8-6
CANDLER
Zerwig Processing
35978 County Rd 23N, Metter, Ga 30439
Limited Hours; Call first
CHATHAM
Wise Brothers Processing and Taxidermy
326 Bush Rd, Savannah, Ga 31419
24/7 By Appt
COFFEE
Kicks Meats
329 Green Lantern Rd, Nicholls, Ga 31554
24/7 drop off and pickup service available
CRISP
Grinder’s Deer Processing
2734 Hwy 41 South, Cordele, Ga 31015
24/7 drop off; Call first (Min of 5 deer)
DODGE
J& A Deer Processing
5420 Rhine Hwy, Eastman Ga 31023
24/7 drop off; Call first (Min of 5 deer)
EARLY
Henry’s Deerhouse Processing
2588 Pritchett Rd, Jakin, Ga 39861
Mon-Sat 7a-5p; Optional hours by Apt
FRANKLIN
Bond’s Processing
3727 Goldmine Holly Springs Rd, Royston, Ga 30662
Mon-Fri 8a-5p; Sat 8a-12p; Call first
GILMER
Tailscreek Processing LLC
34 Burgess Cir, Ellijay, Ga 30540
24/7 drop off; Call first (Min of 5 deer)
HABERSHAM
Cypress Processing and Taxidermy
3147 Alto Mud Creek Rd, Cornelia, Ga 30531
Mon-Fri 9a-5p
HANCOCK
Garner’s Grinders
18630 Hwy 16, Sparta, Ga 31087
Limited Hours; Call first
IRWIN
Ocilla Meat Market
509 E 4th St, Ocilla, Ga 31774
Limited Hours; Call first
LAURENS
Ronnie’s Deer Processing
1022 Jimmie Stevens Rd, Dublin, Ga 31021
24/7 drop off; Call first (Min of 5 deer)
LAURENS
Trails End Deer Processing
915 South Poplar Springs Church Road, Dublin, Ga
31021
24/7 drop off; Call first (Min of 5 deer)
LEE
Lee Processing
105 GA Hwy 377, Leesburg, Ga 31763
Limited Hours; Call first (Min of 5 deer)
LUMPKIN
Rock Acres Deer Processing
349 Rock Acres Rd, Dahlonega, Ga 30533
Limited Hours; Call first
MACON
Hale Processing
1616 Ga Hwy 90, Oglethorpe, Ga 31068
Limited Hours; Call first
MADISON
Pocataligo Processing
2025 Wesley Chapel Rd, Danielsville, Ga 30633
Limited Hours; Call first
NEWTON
Steve Bishop’s Taxidermy & Deer Processing
35 West First St, Mansfield, Ga 30055
Limited Hours; Call first
PULASKI
Harris Kuntry Meats
66 Cochran Hwy, Hawkinsville, Ga 31036
Mon-Sat 7:30a-7p; Sun 1p-6p
PUTNAM
The Meat Shed
235 New Phoenix Rd, Eatonton, Ga. 31024
24/7 drop off; Call first (Min of 5 deer)
UPSON
Circle E Ranch
151 Grays Chapel Rd, Yatesville, Ga 31097
Limited Hours; Call first
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