California Meat Donation Programs

CA_Wapiti · Jul 15, 2019

With the seasons steadily approaching I wanted to figure out if there are meat donation programs in CA. Back home we had programs such as Help Us Stop Hunger (HUSH) in which hunters could drop of their game at designated processors and it could be anonymously donated to those who could use the extra meat. Normally I wouldn't have an issue storing the meat from a successful season but this year I was able to draw an elk tag and my wife will be going on her first deer hunt so if everything works out we will most likely have some extra meat. We would like it to go to a good cause so if anyone is privy to a legit donation program located in California we'd like to hear it. Thanks for any input!

?Shoot straight?

RookieWYhntr · Jul 15, 2019

People actually harvest animals in CA?

CA_Wapiti · Jul 15, 2019

For those willing to travel and put the miles on their boots, the rewards can be worth it. But it took me some time to grasp the Western Backpacking style of hunting. I'm from the Midwest. Whitetails and turkeys were my main game growing up. Either way, there are still hunters in CA regardless of the state?s reputation.

RELH · Jul 15, 2019

Contact your local state game warden. If there is a program in your area, he will know about it.

RELH

tradarc · Jul 15, 2019

+1RELH
Most places will not take game because it is not USDA inspected.

Alwayshunting · Jul 15, 2019

One elk and one deer is too much meat? What do you eat the other 10 months of the year???

DeerHunter53 · Jul 16, 2019

AS far as I know there is not a way to do this in California. It has to be USDA inspected to make the grade.

I have tried and what I did was find an older woman who lived by herself and I give her my extra meat every year at the start of the new season.

She is on a fixed income so this comes in really handy for her. She said her Dad used to hunt and she likes the wild meat and fish I give her.

They did however change the law about road kill in that if you hit a deer and want to keep the meat you call the F&G and they will come and give you a tag to take the meat.

Road Kill Caf? Baby!

CA_Wapiti · Jul 16, 2019

It shouldn't be, right? But I'm active duty military and had no interest in buying a house out here to turn around and sell it in two years. Storage space in the freezer is really the limiting factor. I've contemplated buying a large deep freezer and renting a storage unit and keeping it there.

CA_Wapiti · Jul 16, 2019

That is a great way to help out. My Dad and I would do a similar thing when we would bag a few whitetails; we knew of a few friends and family that loved venison so we knew we could always give the meat to them. However, I don't know that many individuals who have the affinity for venison out here. But I can start putting the feelers out and see who would be willing to take any excess meat.

I really would rather keep as much as possible but I just want a plan in the event I do need to get rid of some it. I won't let it go to waste.

wildfin · Jul 16, 2019

If you don't mind spending the money have the game processed and they will find a home for it. when I am on a longer trip in ca. or have a pile of hogs I go to the farm land communities and give the dressed animals away. this note is for rookiewyohntr,If you want to light up your hunting and fishing all year your going to have to do it in ca. We got it all and lots of it, there is nowhere you can shoot 2 bucks in the morning and be fishing Marlin and tuna in the afternoon. I was out 3 weeks ago and shot 75 collard dove in 2 hours. It will be pig this weekend,we dont even use toxic metal. If you are really itching to start deer hunting this year come on over, deer season opened last week, dont forget to get your 2 buck tags and a couple hog tags on the way into town.

CA_Wapiti · Jul 16, 2019

Good suggestion wildfin. Another option I will have to look into. I'll be in Monterey County so I'm sure there are some farmers who will use the meat. On that note, is this where you do your hog hunting? I got the opportunity to go out for a few hours a couple weekends ago on Fort Hunter Liggett but didn't see any pigs just tons of Blacktail does and one decent buck.

wildfin · Jul 16, 2019

I wont say where but there is areas on fhl that always have pig keep looking ,the pressure there makes them almost totally nocturnal.my best results for there is in the rain.