MADISON — Venison processors across the state are encouraged to contact the land conservation department for their county if they are interested in participating in the 2006 Venison Donation Program. Processors can begin accepting donated deer as soon as their application is processed.
In 2005, hunters donated 7,207 deer which 130 participating processors in 58 counties processed and packaged to provide more than 324,000 pounds of ground venison to food pantries.
The program is very simple, according to Laurie Fike, DNR Wildlife Damage and Abatement Claims Program coordinator: Hunters simply harvest, tag, field dress and register a deer as they normally would then deliver it to a participating meat processor. A call ahead to the processor can verify the processor’s hours of business and that they have room to accept the deer.
Wildlife managers remind hunters to properly handle deer they intend to donate, treating the venison as if it were destined for their own table. Proper field dressing and prompt registration and drop off at the processor are important to providing the best quality venison and ensuring that none of the venison is lost to spoilage. This is especially important in the warmer early weeks of the hunting seasons. The DNR Web site has links to a number of excellent resources on proper care and field dressing of deer.
The venison donation program is managed by the Department of Natural Resources, U.S. Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services and County Land Conservation Departments. The program is financed by a $2 wildlife damage surcharge included on every hunting license purchased and by revenue from additional antlerless deer carcass tags sold in regular season deer management units. The tags sell at $12 for residents and $20 for non resident hunters. Hunters can also opt to donate additional funds to the pantry program at the time they purchase their license. Processors receive approximately $50 per deer.
“Wisconsin is experiencing overabundant deer populations. Too many deer causes millions of dollars worth of damage. Hunters can help feed hungry people and lessen deer damage by harvesting additional antlerless deer for the pantry program,” Fike said.
“In some units we’re asking hunters to kill more deer than they or their families and friends can eat. It’s important to have an outlet for the excess venison as most hunters are opposed to taking game that is not eaten. The donation program provides a charitable outlet for the venison and is very popular,” Fike said.
Biologists estimate the 2006 white-tailed deer population in Wisconsin at 1.5 — 1.7 million animals. Many of Wisconsin’s 135 deer management units are over the deer population goals set in state law. Deer contribute to crop damage and ecological damage to forests through their grazing habits and cause nearly 50,000 car-deer collisions each year.
A list of participating meat processors, including processors in the state’s Chronic Wasting Disease management zones, will be posted and updated on the DNR Web site starting in late summer and throughout the hunting season.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Laurie Fike 267-7974