For Release: Tuesday, November 9, 2004
DEC Reminds Hunters about Benefits of Venison Donation
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Erin M. Crotty today reminded sportsmen and women across New York State that they can contribute venison to help feed the hungry by taking deer to participating meat processors and donating meat to the Venison Donation Coalition. Regular deer season opened on October 23, 2004, in the Northern Zone and opens on November 22, 2004, in the Southern Zone.
"The Venison Donation program has proven to be a very successful and popular way for hunters to help food banks meet demand, while also helping control deer populations," Commissioner Crotty said.
The Venison Donation Coalition was established in the year 2000 to help organizations that wanted to begin or enhance a Venison Donation Program in their area. Many statewide and local sportsmen groups are involved, including: the New York State Conservation Council, the Western New York Safari Club, Westchester County Bowhunters, Columbia, Greene, Dutchess and Schenectady County Sportsmen Federations, to name a few.
In just four years, over 250,000 pounds of venison have been donated, processed and distributed through New York's Food Bank network. That equates to one million servings of venison in four short years.
"It's a great program all the way around,"said Venison Donation Coalition President Greg Heffner.
Paul Hesler, Director of the Food Bank of the Southern Tier, said, "We can't keep it in the freezer."
Legislation was recently enacted that authorizes DEC to enable people to contribute a dollar to the Venison Donation Program when they purchase their sporting license. DEC's Automated License Sales (DECALS) system will accept contributions starting next fall.
When venison is brought to participating processors for donation, the meat is processed at no cost to the hunter. Participating processors can be located by logging onto DEC's Web site at the Venison Donation Program page and clicking on the "Venison Donation Coalition," or by contacting the Venison Donation Coalition at 1-866-862-3337 (DEER) or visiting their website. Additional information about New York State's big game season can be found on DEC's website.
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