GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – Deer Hunt 2021 begins Saturday, and the Department of Natural Resources is asking hunters to help those in need by donating their harvested deer.
Officials at one Green Bay pantry say the spoils of the deer hunting season will be put to good use.
“It’s all ground into burger, one-pound packages. The venison is higher in protein, and lower in fat than beef, and people really love it here,” said Craig Robbins, executive director of Paul’s Pantry.
Robbins tells FOX 11 hunters should think about the opportunity to help feed those in need.
“We’re looking for people to fill those extra tags that they are going to be getting with their license. Depending on what county you’re hunting in, it could be four, it could be two, but there’s going to be a lot of extra tags. We just ask that the deer is field-dressed. If the temperature is a little warm, pack a 10-pound bag of ice in the hindquarters and the front, and drop it off,” he said.
Officials say in all of the deer seasons about 876,000 hunters will pursue the estimated million or more Wisconsin white-tails. State deer experts say hunters and non-hunters are looking to add venison to their diet.
“There’s a lot of just behind the scenes personal sharing of venison, which is a great thing, and in the absence of the ability to formally donate a deer, pursuing that on your own, within your circle, your network of family and friends, just thinking about somebody who might appreciate some venison,” said Jeff Pritzl, DNR State Deer Program Specialist.
At Paul’s Pantry, Craig Robbins says a typical deer can produce about 30-40 pounds of venison burger. He says 100 deer would be a good start.
“It doesn’t last long. We’ll be lucky if we can run it from December through January. We’re serving over 100 households per day, five days a week. So that’s going to go quick. It’s a win-win for everyone. The DNR wants the herd reduced. As a hunter, you get to enjoy your sport, fill that extra tag, feed a needy family.”
According to the DNR, since the program started in 2000, hunters have donated 94,000 deer to Wisconsin food pantries. That’s 3.8 million pounds of venison.
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