http://www.twincities.com/food/ci_6820862
Minnesota hunters can legally bag three to five deer in much of the state, but what's a person to do with so much venison?
Now, you can donate it to Minnesota food shelves - for free.
Hunters used to have to pay the $50 to $70 to process and donate a deer to food shelves, but last year, the Minnesota Legislature earmarked new money and raised nonresident hunting fees to pay for processing at least 4,000 whitetails for food shelves. Hunters also can donate money to the program when they buy their deer-hunting license this year.
Here are some answers to some common questions about the new program, based on interviews with Department of Natural Resources officials.
Q. I'd like to donate a deer this year. What's the first step?
A. Find a meat processor who is participating in the program. Processors must be registered with Minnesota Department of Agriculture. A list of approved venison processors is found at http://www.mda.state.mn.us/licensing/meategg/processors. Call a processor in advance to make sure he or she is still participating in the program.
Q. Will processors accept a whole carcass or do I have to butcher the deer myself?
A. Processors will accept only whole carcasses with the hide still on. No cut and wrapped venison will be accepted. A carcass must be field dressed and show no signs of visible illness, decomposition or contamination. It must also have a DNR registration tag. Be sure to follow safe field-dressing procedures and avoid contaminating the carcasses with careless dragging or storage.
Q. Is there paperwork?
A. Of course. You'll have to fill out a form with the date, your name and address, your nine-digit DNR hunting number (located on your license) and the number of deer you've shot this year.
Q. Will the processing or donation cost me anything?
A. No. Deer processors will be reimbursed $70 by the state for each deer.
Q. What happens to the deer after that?
A. The deer is usually turned into ground venison and distributed to food shelves. One common recipient is Second Harvest.
Q. Is there a need for venison at food shelves?
A. Yes. Food shelf officials say foods high in protein are in much demand at food shelves and difficult to come by. Venison is a popular item at food shelves.
Q. How much funding is the state providing?
A. Lawmakers earmarked a one-time grant of $160,000 in general funds. They also increased all nonresidents hunting licenses by $5, which raises $120,000. In total, the program is funded at $280,000, which will pay for 4,000 deer to be processed. Next year, the $160,000 will be replaced by a $1 increase in bonus tags.
Q. Can I donate money to the program?
A. Yes. When you buy a deer license this year, you can donate to the program in increments of $1, $3 and $5. Ask the clerk at the license outlet about donating. Two weeks ago, deer license sales hit 17,000, and hunters had already donated $3,000. The DNR will sell about 500,000 deer licenses this year.
Q. Will the program help reduce the state's deer population?
A. In theory, that's the intent. Minnesota has about 1.2 million whitetails, far more than is biologically or socially desirable in much of the state. The DNR has liberalized regulations to the point where hunters can shoot up to five deer in many zones, but most hunters can't personally use that many deer.
"I think it will help,'' said Lou Cornicelli, the DNR's big-game manager, when asked if the donation program will reduce deer populations. "Will it help to the extent that will have a large effect on the deer population? Probably not. But every little thing we do helps."
Q. Should hunters be involved in social programs?
A. Yes, say many hunting organizations. A number of groups - for example, the Farmers and Hunters Feeding the Hungry and Sportsmen Against Hunger - have formed over the years to promote deer-donation programs. The Minnesota Deer Hunters Association and the Blufflands Whitetails Association have led efforts in Minnesota for such programs.
"I've long said we can debate whether the DNR or hunters should be paying for a social program, but realistically, such donation programs are good for the image of hunting,'' Cornicelli said.
For more information on Minnesota's deer donation program, go to: http://www.mda.state.mn.us/licensing/me ... nation.htm.
