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By KIM FUNDINGSLAND, Staff Writer
kfundingsland@minotdailynews.com
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Kim Fundingsland/MDN
Keith Bloms of Bloms Locker &
Processing, Minot, shows some of the
deer that are destined to be processed
as part of the area “Hunters for the
Hungry” program. |
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What do feathers and
fur have in common? The answer – they both help feed the
needy.
No, don’t look for such odd items on a menu near you
anytime soon. But several freezers are full of tasty
venison destined for the dinner plates of the needy in
the Minot area. The “Hunters for the Hungry” program
administered by the sportsmen’s group Pheasants for the
Future, Minot, will add more than 2,000 pounds of fresh
venison to area food pantries by mid-December.
Pheasants for the Future conducts a “Hides for Habitat”
program where deer hunters are asked to drop off deer
hides at designated locations. The sportsmen group uses
dollars obtained from the sale of the hides to help
provide free deer processing to hunters willing to
donate venison to area food pantries. One of the
recipients of the processed venison is Community Action
Opportunities.
“Our commodities issues doesn’t have a lot of meat, so
this enables the food pantries to have meat to give out
to clients,” said Wanda Schestler, Community Action food
and nutrition program specialist. “The clients have been
very receptive to the program. They look forward to it.”
Jason Foss, Simonson’s Station Stores, Minot, oversees
the distribution of processing certificates. The program
is in its fourth year.
“We’ve had huge participation. We actually gave out
processing certificates before the deer season began,”
said Foss. “I still have a list of about four pages of
people who want them.”
Last year the program gifted 2,410 pounds of venison to
Community Action. This year’s program is on pace to
surpass that total.
“We’ve received 1,521 pounds so far and it’s still going
on,” said Schestler.
The processing certificates can be redeemed at any of
the five processors participating in the program – S&K
Processing and Bloms’ Locker and Processing, Minot;
Myer’s Meats, Parshall; Garrison Custom Meats; and
Lehr’s Processing, Karlsruhe.
“Everybody has stepped up more this year,” said Foss.
“If you want to donate a deer, we’ll pay for the
processing. Most of it will be made into hamburger,
roasts and steaks.”
“It is the best program we’ve ever supported because
people are not looking at themselves,” said Madonna
Wretling, Garrison Custom Meats. “They are very
unselfish and are looking to serve and help others.”
The “Hunters for the Hungry” program is a good fit with
the current objective of the North Dakota Game and Fish
Department, which is trying to reduce a bulging deer
herd throughout much of the state. Many hunters, such as
Craig Gilmore of Minot, have purchased multiple deer
tags because of the program.
“I filled six tags and donated six deer to feed the
hungry,” said Gilmore. “I think it’s a neat program
because everybody benefits. It makes good sense. Less
deer means fewer deer/car crashes and less chance for
depredation this winter. And I don’t have to quit
hunting just because I shot my deer.”
Foss urges those hunters who picked up processing
certificates but were not able to use them to return
them so they can be given to another hunter. About 150
certificates were available this year. Also, he reminds
hunters to donate their deer hides at drop-off bins
located at the Pour Farm and Landing Bottle Shop in
Minot.
“This has been a heck of a good deal. You know, some
people even pay for the processing themselves,” remarked
Foss. “But there’s still plenty of time to get those
hides in. We need them to fund the program.” |