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Independence, MO —
Deer hunting is already under way in Missouri, and the busiest part – the firearms season that begins Nov. 10 – is drawing near. Officials are asking hunters to consider donating some that venison to local food shelves.
“Together we can fight hunger and foster hope for families across the Show-Me State,” Gov. Jay Nixon said Wednesday during a stop at Bass Pro Shops in Independence. Nixon was making similar stops at Bass Pro Shops in Columbia and St. Charles to promote the Share the Harvest program, now in its 21st year.
Last year, almost 6,200 deer were donated – that’s 370,000 pounds of venison – up from 5,390 in 2010. This year, the program is ready to handle 10,000 deer, and that’s the goal. Many deer processors are part of the program, and a hunter decides whether or how much of a deer to give when he takes the animal there.
In addition to firearms season in November that draws the most hunters, archers are already taking deer, there are two weekend youth hunts, and this Friday through Monday brings an urban hunt in Jackson County and 11 other counties. If a hunter donates a whole deer taken this weekend, Share the Harvest will pick up the cost of having a butcher process the animal. During the firearms season, the program kicks in $60 toward that cost.
“We’ve truly made it as easy as possible for hunters to help families in need,” Nixon said.
Dave Murphy, executive director of the Conservation Federation of Missouri, said the state has about 1.5 million deer, and hunters this year might take about 300,000, so Share the Harvest is looking for a fraction of that. Many hunters are able to take more than one animal, and if a hunter has one to spare – or part of one – the donation is welcomed.
“All of the venison adds up,” Nixon said.
Murphy pointed out that venison is low-fat, organic – even free range – “and wonderfully nutritious.”
The program is a partnership involving the Conversation Federation, the Missouri Department of Conservation, food banks, food shelves, plus several companies, including Bass Pro, that donate to the program. The governor said the deer he gave last year was one he took in Pulaski County.
Deer hunting is already under way in Missouri, and the busiest part – the firearms season that begins Nov. 10 – is drawing near. Officials are asking hunters to consider donating some that venison to local food shelves.
“Together we can fight hunger and foster hope for families across the Show-Me State,” Gov. Jay Nixon said Wednesday during a stop at Bass Pro Shops in Independence. Nixon was making similar stops at Bass Pro Shops in Columbia and St. Charles to promote the Share the Harvest program, now in its 21st year.
Last year, almost 6,200 deer were donated – that’s 370,000 pounds of venison – up from 5,390 in 2010. This year, the program is ready to handle 10,000 deer, and that’s the goal. Many deer processors are part of the program, and a hunter decides whether or how much of a deer to give when he takes the animal there.
In addition to firearms season in November that draws the most hunters, archers are already taking deer, there are two weekend youth hunts, and this Friday through Monday brings an urban hunt in Jackson County and 11 other counties. If a hunter donates a whole deer taken this weekend, Share the Harvest will pick up the cost of having a butcher process the animal. During the firearms season, the program kicks in $60 toward that cost.
“We’ve truly made it as easy as possible for hunters to help families in need,” Nixon said.
Dave Murphy, executive director of the Conservation Federation of Missouri, said the state has about 1.5 million deer, and hunters this year might take about 300,000, so Share the Harvest is looking for a fraction of that. Many hunters are able to take more than one animal, and if a hunter has one to spare – or part of one – the donation is welcomed.
“All of the venison adds up,” Nixon said.
Murphy pointed out that venison is low-fat, organic – even free range – “and wonderfully nutritious.”
The program is a partnership involving the Conversation Federation, the Missouri Department of Conservation, food banks, food shelves, plus several companies, including Bass Pro, that donate to the program. The governor said the deer he gave last year was one he took in Pulaski County.
