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County reports no local processors participating in deer donation program
Summary
Washington County officials said there are currently no processors in the county participating in the deer‑donation program; staff and committee discussed outreach and regulatory barriers such as chronic wasting disease rules.
Washington County staff told the Land Use and Planning Committee that no local processors currently accept deer for the county’s deer donation program.
A presenter for the wildlife program said the county annually reaches out to a list of processors who handle wild game, but "we don't have any processors in Washington County that are processing deer for the deer donation program anymore." He said processors may still process venison for private customers but decline participation in the donation program because reimbursement may be lower than expected.
Committee members asked whom staff contact for participation and learned staff contact local sportsmen’s clubs and known processors. The presenter also noted that regulations tied to chronic wasting disease (CWD) complicate processing and deter some facilities from joining the donation program.
Supervisor Mary asked whether the venison payments go directly to farm operators; the presenter confirmed the program is pass‑through and that once claims are approved the DNR pays landowners directly. The committee did not take formal action; staff said they will continue outreach but do not expect a change in the short term given recent closures of larger processors.
