AMCD's Hunter Harvest Program benefits the communities of Lower Northeast Michigan

In a pioneering effort to connect the residents of Lower Northeast Michigan with fresh venison harvested locally, Alpena-Montmorency Conservation District (AMCD) is working with a small group of local donors and receivers to aid food salvage efforts like the DNR’s Hunters Feeding Michigan program. Venison donated to our program will be processed locally, instead of being sent downstate for redistribution in food banks there. We want to help local people to have access to deer harvested in this area.

Starting in October 2026, the Hunter Harvest Program will benefit the human community by providing fresh venison meat to residents at a cost lower than most other meats available in grocery stores. Because deer munch, or "browse" extensively on crops and young saplings that would otherwise contribute to agricultural yields and more local biodiversity, the ecosystems, farms, and habitats of Lower Northeast Michigan will benefit from decreasing deer herds. Populations of white-tailed deer were formerly kept in check by natural predators such as wolves, but the absence of such predation over the last century or more has led to overpopulation of deer in our region. 

Hunters and farmers who donate and residents of Alpena and Montmorency counties who receive donated venison can be proud they are benefiting their neighbors and their local ecosystems, along with helping reduce the number of deer / vehicle collisions! All donors and receivers must register with AMCD to participate in this program.​

we are now accepting sign-ups for donors and receivers.

when the donor and receiver agreements have been finalized, we will send each person on the list their agreement to sign.

once you complete and return your signed agreement, you will be registered for the hunter harvest program.

do you want to donate deer for your neighbors this season?

Sign up to donate mature antlerless deer to AMCD’s Hunter Harvest Program by completing the form:

do you want to pay for proessing only and receive fresh venison?

Sign up to receive fresh locally harvested venison through the Hunter Harvest program by completing the form:

Please contact AMCD Communications Associate Emily Frechette at emily.frechette@macd.org or 989-590-6649 with any questions.