Butler County’s Hunters Sharing the Harvest reports increase in donations, statewide program sets new record
In uncertain economic times, Pennsylvania’s hunters, including those in Butler County, stepped up for thousands of families during the 2024-25 hunting season.
Hunters Sharing the Harvest, a program which distributes donated venison to food-insecure families throughout Pennsylvania, reported a record-high number of donations. In total, Hunters Sharing the Harvest reports that it received 283,789 pounds of venison from 7,855 deer harvested statewide, equaling out to an estimated 1.1 million servings of deer meat.
Tom Rossman, Butler County’s area coordinator, does not have exact figures for how many deer were processed in the county or how much venison was donated, as each deer processor counts differently. However, Rossman says he did notice an increase this season.
“Throughout the county, all the (processors) I had a record of had an increase over previous years,” Rossman said. “Throughout the state, it was an increase, also.”
Hunters Sharing the Harvest is made up of area coordinators and deer processors in nearly every county, who ensure that the processed venison makes it to food banks and charitable organizations for distribution.
“Hunters across Pennsylvania continue to embody this notion of hunting as social service in which hunters demonstrate just how much they care about feeding families in need,” said Hunters Sharing the Harvest executive director Randy Ferguson in a Tuesday, Aug. 19, news release. “These record-breaking numbers reflect not only their commitment, but also the dedication of processors, volunteers, sponsors and partners across the state.”
Despite the uptick this year and increased hunting availability this coming season. Rossman said he wonders if Butler County’s Hunters Sharing the Harvest operation could take a hit next year. One of its member deer processors, T.A. Giger, died in February, leading to the permanent closure of the business.
“He was one of our biggest producers. He had a heck of a processing operation going,” Rossman said.
The seven remaining deer processors in the program are Bims Boloney in Washington Township, Bob's Deer Processing in Muddy Creek Township, Ciafre's Deer Processing in Middlesex Township, Huff's Custom Meats in Connoquenessing Township, McKruit's Custom Meat Cutting in Winfield Township, Shuler's Butcher Shop in Summit Township, and Welter’s Meat Shop in Donegal Township.
