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Hunters for the Hungry accepting deer taken under crop damage limits

by Jennifer Whittaker


Posted on Apr 03, 2025 at 8:40 AM


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

(912)-632-1943

Limited Hours; Call first

BANKS

Harris Meats

1554 McCoy Bridge Rd, Homer, Ga 30547

(678)-283-5791

Mon-Sat 8-6

CANDLER

Zerwig Processing

35978 County Rd 23N, Metter, Ga 30439

(912)-682-7256

Limited Hours; Call first

CHATHAM

Wise Brothers Processing and Taxidermy

326 Bush Rd, Savannah, Ga 31419

(912)-433-1340

24/7 By Appt

COFFEE

Kicks Meats

329 Green Lantern Rd, Nicholls, Ga 31554

(912)-345-0096

24/7 drop off and pickup service available

CRISP

Grinder's Deer Processing

2734 Hwy 41 South, Cordele, Ga 31015

(229)-938-3477

24/7 drop off; Call first (Min of 5 deer)

DODGE

J& A Deer Processing

5420 Rhine Hwy, Eastman Ga 31023

(478)-231-6349

24/7 drop off; Call first (Min of 5 deer)

EARLY

Henry's Deerhouse Processing

2588 Pritchett Rd, Jakin, Ga 39861

(850)-860-7880

Mon-Sat 7a-5p; Optional hours by Apt

FRANKLIN

Bond's Processing

3727 Goldmine Holly Springs Rd, Royston, Ga 30662

(706)-436-3335

Mon-Fri 8a-5p; Sat 8a-12p; Call first

GILMER

Tailscreek Processing LLC

34 Burgess Cir, Ellijay, Ga 30540

(706)-273-8928

24/7 drop off; Call first (Min of 5 deer)

HABERSHAM

Cypress Processing and Taxidermy

3147 Alto Mud Creek Rd, Cornelia, Ga 30531

(678)-343-3066

Mon-Fri 9a-5p

HANCOCK

Garner's Grinders

18630 Hwy 16, Sparta, Ga 31087

(770)-298-8884

Limited Hours; Call first

IRWIN

Ocilla Meat Market

509 E 4th St, Ocilla, Ga 31774

(229)-468-7808

Limited Hours; Call first

LAURENS

Ronnie's Deer Processing

1022 Jimmie Stevens Rd, Dublin, Ga 31021

(478)-595-2138

24/7 drop off; Call first (Min of 5 deer)

LAURENS

Trails End Deer Processing

915 South Poplar Springs Church Road, Dublin, Ga

31021

(478)-463-2837

24/7 drop off; Call first (Min of 5 deer)

LEE

Lee Processing

105 GA Hwy 377, Leesburg, Ga 31763

(229)-886-1847

Limited Hours; Call first (Min of 5 deer)

LUMPKIN

Rock Acres Deer Processing

349 Rock Acres Rd, Dahlonega, Ga 30533

(706)-300-7233

Limited Hours; Call first

MACON

Hale Processing

1616 Ga Hwy 90, Oglethorpe, Ga 31068

(478)-458-7961

Limited Hours; Call first

MADISON

Pocataligo Processing

2025 Wesley Chapel Rd, Danielsville, Ga 30633

(706)-540-5027

Limited Hours; Call first

NEWTON

Steve Bishop's Taxidermy & Deer Processing

35 West First St, Mansfield, Ga 30055

(770)-787-0840

Limited Hours; Call first

PULASKI

Harris Kuntry Meats

66 Cochran Hwy, Hawkinsville, Ga 31036

(478)-783-3276

Mon-Sat 7:30a-7p; Sun 1p-6p

PUTNAM

The Meat Shed

235 New Phoenix Rd, Eatonton, Ga. 31024

(478)-258-0019

24/7 drop off; Call first (Min of 5 deer)

UPSON

Circle E Ranch

151 Grays Chapel Rd, Yatesville, Ga 31097

(706)-472-3438

Limited Hours; Call first


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