blake
Life Member
Here is a thread from the Iowa DNR web site:
Holiday Spirit Hits Deer Hunters
Posted: December 2, 2004
DES MOINES - Iowa deer hunters are demonstrating the holiday spirit this year by donating more deer to needy families and donating more money to pay venison processing costs, according to the DNR.
In its second year, Help Us Stop Hunger (HUSH), and an abundance of deer permits, are giving hunters the opportunity to harvest more deer than ever and benefit many more Iowans, said Ross Harrison, DNR's HUSH coordinator.
"Virtually everyone feels we need to reduce the deer population in this state," said Harrison. The DNR is offering 34,000 additional doe permits over last year's record-setting season, and Harrison said the HUSH program offers hunters an the ideal outlet for deer they may want to shoot, but not take home. This season, more hunters are donating deer and money to the effort than last year.
"Any hunter in any season can donate any deer to HUSH," he said. "However, they can only donate HUSH deer to any of the 30 lockers participating in the program. We do not have enough money to go statewide to pay for venison processing. We are struggling to raise the money for our 2,000-deer goal for just the central part of the state." Last year, hunters donated 1,600 deer.
Paying only the cost of their regular deer license, a hunter can drop off field dressed deer at a participating locker. The list of lockers can be found at www.iowahush.com. Harrison said it costs HUSH $55 per deer for processing. He said the Food Bank of Iowa handles the payments, the venison pick-up from the locker and delivery to its social service agencies that supply the needy with the meat. For its work, the Food Bank receives $5 per deer.
"Our goal is to raise $120,000 in donations from auto insurance companies, conservation organizations, and Iowa businesses, and we are only about half-way there for this season. A big boost comes from deer hunter donations. Hunters are asked if they want to donate $5 to HUSH when they buy their deer permit. So far this year, about 3,000 deer hunters have given nearly $15,000 to HUSH," said Harrison.
He noted other big contributors to HUSH as the Iowa Farm Bureau, Grinnell Mutual Reinsurance, Des Moines Claim Managers Council, Hunter Specialties of Cedar Rapids and Whitetails Unlimited. Last year the legislature appropriated $17,000 to HUSH and Harrison is hopeful it will increase the amount next year.
"With sufficient funding, a statewide HUSH program could account for around 5,000 deer removed from the herd and given to those who really need this excellent meat at their dinner tables. It would cost only about $300,000 to produce the 1 million meals of venison this would provide," he said.
Holiday Spirit Hits Deer Hunters
Posted: December 2, 2004
DES MOINES - Iowa deer hunters are demonstrating the holiday spirit this year by donating more deer to needy families and donating more money to pay venison processing costs, according to the DNR.
In its second year, Help Us Stop Hunger (HUSH), and an abundance of deer permits, are giving hunters the opportunity to harvest more deer than ever and benefit many more Iowans, said Ross Harrison, DNR's HUSH coordinator.
"Virtually everyone feels we need to reduce the deer population in this state," said Harrison. The DNR is offering 34,000 additional doe permits over last year's record-setting season, and Harrison said the HUSH program offers hunters an the ideal outlet for deer they may want to shoot, but not take home. This season, more hunters are donating deer and money to the effort than last year.
"Any hunter in any season can donate any deer to HUSH," he said. "However, they can only donate HUSH deer to any of the 30 lockers participating in the program. We do not have enough money to go statewide to pay for venison processing. We are struggling to raise the money for our 2,000-deer goal for just the central part of the state." Last year, hunters donated 1,600 deer.
Paying only the cost of their regular deer license, a hunter can drop off field dressed deer at a participating locker. The list of lockers can be found at www.iowahush.com. Harrison said it costs HUSH $55 per deer for processing. He said the Food Bank of Iowa handles the payments, the venison pick-up from the locker and delivery to its social service agencies that supply the needy with the meat. For its work, the Food Bank receives $5 per deer.
"Our goal is to raise $120,000 in donations from auto insurance companies, conservation organizations, and Iowa businesses, and we are only about half-way there for this season. A big boost comes from deer hunter donations. Hunters are asked if they want to donate $5 to HUSH when they buy their deer permit. So far this year, about 3,000 deer hunters have given nearly $15,000 to HUSH," said Harrison.
He noted other big contributors to HUSH as the Iowa Farm Bureau, Grinnell Mutual Reinsurance, Des Moines Claim Managers Council, Hunter Specialties of Cedar Rapids and Whitetails Unlimited. Last year the legislature appropriated $17,000 to HUSH and Harrison is hopeful it will increase the amount next year.
"With sufficient funding, a statewide HUSH program could account for around 5,000 deer removed from the herd and given to those who really need this excellent meat at their dinner tables. It would cost only about $300,000 to produce the 1 million meals of venison this would provide," he said.
