Mississippi Gov. Reeves Champions Hunter’s Harvest, Proclaims November Wild Game Meat Donation Month

In an effort driven by the National Rifle Association, nine state governors recently signed proclamations declaring November to be National Wild Game Meat Donation Month in support of America’s decades-old Hunters for the Hungry (HFH) movement. One of those signing the proclamation was Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves, himself an avid outdoorsman who actively promotes the state hunting community’s ongoing efforts to fight hunger.

The governors’ proclamations applaud hunters for donating their surplus game meat and encourage us all to do the same as we prepare to celebrate Thanksgiving and the season of giving. Thanks in large part to the work of NRA-ILA, hunting is now enshrined in 24 state constitutions, including Mississippi’s, as legal, regulated hunting offers opportunities to connect with nature while providing food security and nutrition to hunters and those less fortunate. Pointing out the urgency of hunters’ cause, Feeding America, the nation’s largest hunger relief organization, reports that hunger is a reality for one in seven Americans.

In Mississippi, the HFH program is called Hunter’s Harvest, a joint venture of the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks and the Mississippi Wildlife Federation and the state’s hunters. The program is particularly important in the Magnolia State because, according to Feeding America, more than half a million Mississippi residents struggle with food insecurity.

According to Hunter’s Harvest, many families have no dependable source of protein in their diets. Venison provides that protein and is also low in fat. Through the Mississippi Hunter's Harvest Program, Mississippi sportsmen provide this much-needed dietary component to needy Mississippians.

In Mississippi, hunters can help the hungry in several ways. First, they can choose to donate a pound or two of ground venison when they pick up their processed wild game from a participating program processor who will take their donations and store them until collected and distributed by the Mississippi Food Network. Additionally, a field-dressed or quartered deer may be donated by a hunter, with the hunter agreeing to pay the venison processing fee. Or, a deer may be donated, and the processing fee can be paid through the Hunter’s Harvest program. Funding for this method of donation is raised through grants, businesses and personal contributions. Participating processors and the Mississippi Food Network then distribute the donated venison through a network of local and statewide member churches and non-profit organizations.

As hunters’ generous donations continue to make a difference for needy families, the proclamations promote the fact NRA Hunters’ Leadership Forum (NRA-HLF) research shows that hunters share 119 million pounds of harvested game meat with others outside their households annually. However, the research also shows that many meat processors involved in HFH programs in 2022 did not receive enough donated meat to fulfill their missions, so clearly even more game meat is needed.

Hunters are generous by nature and already fund most of the conservation efforts in Mississippi through license and tag purchases, as well as a special federal excise tax on guns, ammo and hunting equipment. In 2024, Mississippi received more than $14 million through the Pittman-Robertson Program.

For Mississippi hunters, as well as those in other states, this year should be the year that you pitch in and help the hungry in your community and your state. Consider donating a deer or two to those less fortunate or making a financial program contribution. Doing so will be as big a blessing to you as it will those receiving the high-quality lean protein.

To learn more about Hunter’s Harvest and to find a participating processor near you, visit the Mississippi Hunter’s Harvest website by clicking here.