Cherokee Nation Wildlife Conservation is excited to announce “The Hunt That Feeds” program.

The Hunt That Feeds supports Cherokee families, reduces food waste, and reflects the values of stewardship, generosity, and community. Through donations, hunters can turn their harvest into food for Cherokee citizens. The program also gives Cherokee outdoorsmen an opportunity to help manage deer populations by using antlerless bag limits and supporting conservation efforts.

Cherokee Nation Wildlife Conservation will work with local processors throughout the Reservation to provide high-quality wild game. Below are the guidelines for donating a harvest to “The Hunt That Feeds” program.

• All animals must be legally harvested within the Cherokee Nation Reservation following all applicable regulations (2026-2027 Cherokee Nation Hunting and Fishing Regulations) and checked in through the Gadugi Portal.

• Before harvest is dropped off at a processor animals must be field-dressed with the appropriate field tag and confirmation number from the Gadugi Portal attached to the harvest.

• At this time, only antlerless deer will be accepted. Harvesting antlerless deer helps maintain a healthy deer population.

• Processors may refuse any harvest due to spoilage, poor quality, or contamination.

• All processing fees for donated harvests to “The Hunt That Feeds” will be covered by Cherokee Nation Wildlife Conservation.

With the help of Cherokee Nation Food Distribution all harvests donated to the Hunt That Feeds will be distributed to Cherokee families.

Processors participating during the 2026-2027 season for “The Hunt That Feeds” program

•  1839 Cherokee Meat Co.

  • 18919 N 466 Rd. Tahlequah, Ok 74464

  •  (918)207-3688

•  316 Processing

  • 104419 S 4640 Rd. Sallisaw, Ok 74955

  • (918)775-0760

• Hembree Processing

  • 69011 S 4740 Rd. Westville, Ok 74965

  • (918)930-0305

• Home Grown: Custom Processing and Retail

  • 3501 E 550, Locust Grove, Ok 74352

  • (918)230-3286

• Tatum’s Wild Game

  • 7658 N 3970 Rd. Copan, Ok 74022

  • (918)440-1819

If you have any questions, please contact Cherokee Nation Wildlife Conservation at (918) 453-5333.

History of “The Hunt that Feeds”

During the 2025-2026 season Cherokee Nation Wildlife Conservation, in partnership with 1839 Meat Company, launched an employee only pilot deer donation program called “The Hunt That Feeds” to support Cherokee families and elders in need. Through this initiative, employees were able to donate legally harvested deer, with all processing provided at no cost by 1839 Cherokee Meat Company. Thanks to the generosity of participating hunters, over 400 pounds of processed venison were donated and distributed by Cherokee Nation Food Distribution for the Elder Nutrition Program, providing a valuable source of locally harvested protein to Cherokee elders. In addition to providing high-quality food to Cherokee Elders who might otherwise lack the ability to hunt, the program helped preserve and renew memories of meaningful hunting experiences.