iv got mixed feelings about this I'm all for feeding the needy but not the lazy...I'm all for herd control but not killing for intertainment & this is not free food the deer go to local processor's they get paid $50 per deer to grind it all & package & the food bank picks it up ..I honestly don't know who pays the $50 per deer processing fee ? tax dollars I guess ...all & all I know it's a good thing a friend of mines son helps at a processor after school for extra $$$ & it deffanetly helps the professor's out. I was just curios how others felt about it. I know I'd like to have one of them refrigerated trailers

I am certainly not against it at any level, realizing that there really are people in many communities who are not able to put nutritious food on the table. Other than a Community/Christian/Good deed incentive, I am not sure who the hunter is that shoots and donates deer. I would support these efforts.

If you "donate" a deer around here. You still pay a minimal processing fee when you drop off the deer. The local processor told me they collect $ upfront because so many hunters "donated" their deer after it had been processed and they didn't want it.

I checked into the program one year here in TN, just out of curiosity. some of the processing cost are offset by an organization that is strongly involved with outdoor programs. some of the funding only goes so far as some hunters donate at the time of process or give some of their meat into the program when they pick up what they want. some donate the whole deer. i do not know how they determine who or what food bank will receive the meat. at the time I looked into it, the processor I talked to said he was given x amount of money for the year and after that the hunter will have to pay the full price of processing if they wanted to donate. around here all processors take payment up front before they take the deer into the cooler, regardless if it's donated or picked up by the hunter.

When purchasing licence in West Virginia we can donate a dollar to HFTH. I normally harvest a deer each year during the rifle season to donate. I am very much for this program. Growing up in rural WV I have witnessed poverty at its worst. I too have issues with "lazy" individuals. However, children and the elderly many times have no control over their financial difficulties. If it costs $50.00 to process an animal, I believe it to be money well spent as most processors in my area start at $65-$75 just for a standard cut. "Lazy" is not my place to judge and only the "the Creators". If I can do my part to help feed one hungry child, veteran, senior or anyone else for that matter, then I believe it to be a worth while endeavor! God Bless

Some folks will find the bad side of anything, and some will take advantage of it; however, it's a blessing for a lot of folks and in Pa. it has been going on for quite a number of years. Lots of folks still love to hunt and participate by donating the whole, or part of an animal. The program pays half the processing fee. Maybe some just don't get it that there are folks who actually struggle to buy groceries and pay other bills, especially at this time of year. Affluence has a short memory.

The PGC recognized this many years ago and a person can even pick up freshly killed deer killed on the highway, as long as they report it within 24 hours. A lot of us are blessed and don't even know it by having enough money to stay solvent and buy the food we need. Some aren't, and it isn't that they are lazy...that is something you need to understand and thank God you aren't in the same position.

I was told in Michigan that I could not process the deer myself, I had to pay a processor...…….. Now wait a minute, don't these people eat out of garbage cans? John

Sorry if my comment is not politically correct. I had crop deprivation tags so I had a lot of venison. Since the homeless shelter did not want it my family, brothers and friends ate like kings. John

Not only are people in need being helped, the program is also good PR for hunters.

MP

I donate at least one deer every year to the Virginia Hunters for the Hungry. The same group as in the OP. It encompasses several counties across Va. Im sure its not perfect but I feel all parties involved do the best they can do with the resources available. At the very least it is an effort to share with less fortunate people.

Well, if it is going to the same folks I see splurging on gourmet food items at the grocery store and then paying for them with food stamp cards I'd have to pass.

That and the fact that local folks who could have used the meat can't get it as it is earmarked by the state to be shipped to the inner city.

Bottom line, no good idea can't be screwed up.

Stoner, the premise is if just several processors do it, you don't have to worry about someone spiking the meat, or getting tainted meat. It may make sense when you think it through. Just because people are poor doesn't mean they shouldn't rely on good meat. You are probably very particular, but some are not. And it's not about beggars being choosers. Again...we are fortunate that we can be on the donor side, versus a recipient.

My wife and I donate cash directly to the soup kitchen, St Jude, wildlife organizations, etc. It just ruffles my feathers when a middle man profits from an unfortunate circumstance. John

If nothing else it helps shed a positive light on hunters. I believe most non-hunters don't disapprove of hunting as long as the meat is being consumed. Even the most liberal tree huggers usually won't oppose feeding the hungry and less fortunate.

Maybe some of you need to spend part of a day helping at a soup kitchen or food pantry to get a reality check.

No reality check needed here George, I care fore, harvest and donate all the apples and pears from a small one acre orchard to the local food shelf every year, and I don't need a government program to do it.

I've donated deer with them with nothing but good experiences. I'll only eat one, but if I'm blessed enough to get that one early in the season I'm not going to quit hunting when the limits are generous for good reason and those in need can benefit from it.

I agree with concept but live in a entertainment kill area:( was like the wild west while the scoped rifles was allowed in our PA late season.

Wow. I don’t even know what to say about some of these comments. I hope some of you are never in a position where you need the help.

I just give some deer to people I know are down and out..

I've been in the position where I needed the help. I've also witnessed the unsportsman side of this, even though legal. It was a geography location for the most part.

Type in “CDC venison and Lead” to google to read an interesting article from 2009. Guess we are the lead freee alternative

Where’s frisky? He should have a roadkill by now to wheeze on about

I won't say that it is a bad idea.

But if I wasn't going to eat what I killed myself I would probably give up hunting.

I still feel obligated to bring home and eat the heart and liver. And I really don't like liver. I just can't justify wasting it.

we donate $500 annually to the local CHOW, but I eat my own deer.

I kinda go with what liquid tension said. If you know somebody in need....then meet their need. If they are hungry...feed them...thirsty give them drink...In need of clothing.. then clothe them.

When Gov't gets involved, it often get's all messed up in paperwork and legislation.

Pretty simple to butcher a deer and give it to someone who can use it under the radar.

The left hand doesn't need to always know what the right hand is doing.

Well said, shade mt. I'm fine with assisting those in need. Where I have a problem is the "left hand" usually has a liberal attached to it that's lifting my wallet and then trying to take credit for how benevolent they are with my money in order to buy votes. I worked for it, I'm perfectly capable of managing my own charitable contributions!

I agree shade Mtn. I kill 9-12,deer a year in multiple states. I give deer away to family and friends and people I know that need food. I sometimes even get a request for deer. I like to hunt and people need meat so it works out.

I have no doubt there is need.But--in Iowas "late season deer rifle antlerless season" a few years back I witnessed guys stacking deer 20-30 deep in garages (including big shed antler bucks as Wensel referred to a week ago)for donation to the HUSH (help us stop hunger) program as an excuse for the slaughter.Followed by 2 years of EHD now they wonder where their deer herd is...

interestly enough-the local locker stopped taking whole deer for donation and accepts only deboned meat now (CWD concerns) and donations are way down..I guess the same hunters dont want to help the hungry now.

It was an excuse to slaughter deer which made the insurance companies,lobbyists and corrupt politicians sleep well.THAT is Government involvement as ShadeMt said.

Ive taken 4 deer in for processing this year then gave the meat to people I know needed it.The rest we'll use ourselves.

2X what 4nolz@work said. "Ive taken 4 deer in for processing this year then gave the meat to people I know needed it.The rest we'll use ourselves." That's the way to handle it!!

I had an opportunity to hunt Hawaii, and for personal reasons, couldn't get all the meat back home. I spoke with the outfitter about a "hunters for the Hungry" program in Hawaii, and he had never heard of it there. Seems that there are many folks there who jump at the chance to receive fresh game meat, AND, it is quite traditional to share with the needy.

"Wild pig hunting is a way of life for many Hawaiians as well as a passed down tradition. For many of us, hunting is our Costco, we just have to catch our meat first." - Lopaka's Aloha Adventures

"I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive." Apostle Paul, Acts 20:35

4nolz is right on point. I drove by a barn/shed with the door open last week. It was hung full of deer. My brother knows the guy and asked him about it. He said his "group" had 29 so far. When asked who they had process them or if they did it themselves he was told they just keep a few and the rest go to the "HUSH" program. That means the state is using our tax dollars to subsidize the meat processor to feed the "hungry". No thanks.

As with many things... the shorter the route the better. We just give our meat to friends/family that we think might benefit from it. No tax write-off but no rules either.

JusPassin the worst part is they dont realize the State is using them to destroy the thing they love to do!

Farmers and Hunters Feeding the Hungry. As far as I know, this is not a government program nor is it government subsidized. This is a ministry program started years ago and doing a lot of good for a lot of people. The last couple of deer I donated went to people I knew. I've donated deer and funding to FHFH in the past and would do so again if the opportunity was there. If you know someone who can use the help, giving directly is always the best way to go. However, I don't think FHFH is a bad or mistreated option at all. Unfortunately, you will always have those that take advantage of a good thing. You never know when that "lazy" person might be enlightened by the grace of people showing good will.

https://www.fhfh.org/? gclid=Cj0KCQiAxs3gBRDGARIsAO4tqq217Lwfa67aIYHKQBZiYvROK73ewzwnbNfoY vJ1x7in1phKraWh4hgaAh9BEALw_wcB

Give a man a deer feed him for a day, teach a man to kill his own feed him for a lifetime.

We had that same program here in Minnesota until somebody supposedly found lead in their FREE venison, then the whole program fell by the wayside.

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