PIERRE, S.D. - Hunters in South Dakota have a chance this year to brighten the holidays cheer by donating a deer through the Sportsmen Against Hunger program.
Hunters who have antlerless deer tags for the Black Hills, West River and East River deer seasons are eligible to use $30 certificates to help pay for the processing of venison donated through Sportsmen Against Hunger.
“South Dakota has been blessed with bountiful wildlife,” said Jeff Olson, president of South Dakota Sportsmen Against Hunger. “It’s one of the great traditions of hunting to share that bounty with the less fortunate.”
On average, a processed deer yields 45 pounds of venison burger. According to the state Community Food Bank, a pound of venison burger can provide meat for four meals or one meal for a family of four. That means one donated deer provides meat for 180 meals.
“It’s difficult to think of families going hungry at any time of year, but during the holidays it’s particularly tough,” Olson said. “Through Sportsmen Against Hunger, hunters have a genuine opportunity to help families have enough to eat during the holidays.”
Hunters can learn more about the program by going to the S.D. Game, Fish and Parks Department Web site at www.sdgfp.info, holding the cursor over the subhead “Get Involved” and clicking on the link to “Sportsmen Against Hunger.” A list of processors who have agreed to take part in the program is available at the site.
The processing certificates are available to hunters with Black Hills, West River and East River antlerless deer licenses. Certificates can be ordered online at http://apps.sd.gov/applications/GF79SAHEntryForm.aspx. Hunters without Internet access can order the certificates through a friend or relative who has Internet access or get help at a GFP office.
Each hunter may have and use up to four certificates with each certificate good for helping with the cost of processing one antlerless deer. The cost of processing may be more than $30 and hunters should contact their processors directly to find out about the costs.
Tax-deductible donations to the program may be made to South Dakota Sportsmen Against Hunger, P.O. Box 1172, Pierre, SD 57501. Hunters can also make tax-deductible donations by using a check-off provision available on both online and paper applications for hunting licenses.