Hunters Against Hunger Program Returns for Season

Hunters Against Hunger, a partnership between Montana Food Bank Network and Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, provides hunters in Montana with the opportunity to donate any amount of their legally harvested big game animals. The meat is processed free of charge and is then distributed directly to a nearby food pantry.

Since the program’s inception in 2014, over 413,995 pounds of meat have been donated and shared with Montanans experiencing food insecurity. The meat has been distributed to 30 food banks across Montana thus far, with plans to reach more than 35 food pantries in 2026. Protein is often the most expensive food item for food pantries to source. Access to Montana wild game through Hunters Against Hunger plays a critical role in providing individuals and families with essential nutrients and protein.

“When people walk in and see that we have a freezer full of wild game, they light up,” shared Susan and Jay Wood, Co-Founders of Southwest Montana Veterans Food Pantry and Services, about the program’s impact.

Hunter and local meat processor participation is crucial to the success of this growing program. Legally harvested big game donations (deer, elk, antelope, moose, and wild bison) can be delivered to authorized participating meat processors across the state, who are reimbursed up to $3.00 per pound of finished product. A full list of authorized processors can be found at mfbn.org/hunters-against-hunger.

Hunters purchasing a Montana hunting license are also able to make a monetary donation to contribute towards the processing and distribution of the donated game.

Additional donations can be made by visiting mfbn.org/hunters-against-hunger/ or by calling (406) 721-3825.

For further information about the Hunters Against Hunger program, please contact MFBN’s Programs Coordinator Cyrus Turbak at (406) 215-1772 or at cturbak@mfbn.org.