County deer hunters are sharing the success of their early season hunt with people who are less fortunate.

From the concluded archery, fall muzzleloader and special firearms seasons, hunters have donated more than 2,200 pounds of venison to county food pantries, cupboards and churches through the Mercer County-based Hunters Sharing the Harvest.

“They’re rolling in,” said Tom Rossman, of Butler, who serves as the HSH western statewide coordinator. “It’s probably the best early season we’ve ever had.”

Last year, 12,000 pounds of deer meat were donated, and Rossman said he is anticipating as much as 15,000 pounds this year. He distributes the venison to 32 food pantries in the county.

“It’s well-used. I’ll tell you that,” he said about the venison.

Statewide, hunters donated 4,691 deer that were processed into 187,000 pounds of venison for the program last year. Since 1991, HSH has channeled more than 2 million pounds of deer meat to food pantries, soup kitchens and churches.

Five deer processors in the county are among 100 statewide that process the donated deer meat. All the processors are listed on the HSH website sharedeer.org.

Rossman said some of the processors were overwhelmed with donated deer last year.

“It’s a good sign, but I could use a couple more processors. I’ve recruited as many as I can find, but we could use a couple more,” he said. Processors interested in HSH should call Rossman at 724-283-0449.

The website also lists the donors whose contributions compensate the processors for grinding the meat into burgers. The state Department of Agriculture and Game Commission are among the primary sponsors. Local donors include the Butler Rotary Foundation, Trinity Lutheran Church in Butler, Southwest Butler Food Cupboard, Butler Trinity Lutheran Church, Thoma Meat Market, North Butler County Food Cupboard, Evans City Food Cupboard, Butler Lions Club, Boyers Sportsmen’s Association and the Butler First United Methodist Church.

Rossman said many residents and businesses from the county donated to the program.

“We have exceptionally generous people, businesses that give us $1,500 or more sometimes. There’s a lot of generous people in Butler County,” Rossman said.

“Several years ago, XTO Energy donated $17,000 for HSH to buy a walk-in freezer to store the venison until it is distributed,“ he said.