Rating: ★ 4.9
Address: 16 Rips Rd, Brownville, ME 04414, United States
Phone: +1 207-943-6502
Brownville Deer Pantry is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting the local white-tailed deer population in Brownville, Maine. Founded and operated by Richard McMahon and his son Randy, the pantry feeds between 100 to 200 deer daily during the winter months, offering them oats, apples, and acorns.
Quick Information
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 16 Rips Rd, Brownville, ME 04414, United States |
| Phone | +1 207-943-6502 |
| Rating | 4.9 stars |
| Visit Page | |
| YouTube | Visit Channel |
| GoFundMe | Donate Here |
| Google Maps | View Location |
| Wheelchair Accessible Entrance | No |
| Good for Kids | Yes |
About the Organization
- Mission: To provide food and a safe environment for deer during Maine’s harsh winters.
- Founded: 2020 (501(c)(4) non-profit).
- Founder: Richard McMahon (feeding deer for nearly 30 years).
- Feeding Season: Mid-December to April.
- Daily Feed: Around 700 pounds of oats, plus apples, acorns, and feed blocks.
- Funding: 100% donation-based, supported by people worldwide.
Live Streams and Community
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Live Streams | 24/7 YouTube streams with multiple night-vision cameras. |
| Subscribers | 150,000+ |
| Audience | Viewers from over 150 countries. |
| Benefits Reported by Viewers | – Calming and peaceful – Helps with anxiety and stress – Used as a screensaver – Comfort during chemotherapy |
| Wildlife Seen | Deer, turkeys, squirrels, and more |
The live streams have become a global attraction, with viewers describing the experience as peaceful, relaxing, and uplifting.
Operations and Donations
| Aspect | Information |
|---|---|
| Daily Feeding | 700 pounds of oats |
| Equipment | Silo for bulk oats, “Oatmobile” ATV for distribution |
| Donations Used For | – Oats and apples – Feed blocks – Essential supplies |
| How to Donate | – GoFundMe – PayPal – By check |
Reviews Summary
| Positive Feedback | Critical Concerns |
|---|---|
| Deep appreciation for the McMahon family’s effort. | Concern about Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) spread due to concentrated feeding. |
| Live streams described as peaceful and relaxing. | Fear of creating unnatural dependency on human feeding. |
| International audience, with comments from the U.S. and abroad. | Troughs not cleaned and located near a road, raising health/safety issues. |
| Viewers love observing deer, turkeys, and other wildlife. | Some believe feeding weakens the natural herd. |
| Visitors mention no wait time and kid-friendly environment. | Concern about long-term ecological effects. |
Review Highlight
- Positive Review: “It is always an enjoyable experience to see the beautiful deer in nature.”
- Critical Review: Concerns raised about CWD spread and unnatural dependency on supplemental feeding.
Visitor Notes
- Most people interact through the YouTube channel rather than physical visits.
- On-site visits are low-key, with no wait time or reservations needed.
- Families often find it a kid-friendly activity, but the site does not have a wheelchair-accessible entrance.