Hunters making a difference for the hungry

            Every year thousands of hungry Oklahomans reap the benefits of deer season in Oklahoma through the Hunters Against Hunger program.
            Through the program, hunters who legally harvest a deer during any of this year's deer seasons can donate the meat to feed hungry Oklahomans. All they have to do is deliver their harvested deer to the nearest participating meat processor after checking the deer at a hunter check station.  To view a list of participating meat processors, log on to the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation's Web site at http://www.wildlifedepartment.com/hah.htm.
            To help with processing charges, each donator is requested to contribute a tax-deductable $10 to assist with the program.
            The ground venison is then distributed to the needy through a network of qualified, charitable organizations. During the 2007-08 season, hunters donated 39,765 pounds of venison that provided almost 160,000 meals to needy people.
            Participation by meat processors and hunters is the key to success to helping feed Oklahoma's hungry. The Wildlife Department pays a special thanks to the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma and the Community Food Bank of eastern Oklahoma for their participation in the Hunters Against Hunger program. Important donors to this program also include Tulsa-based conservation group NatureWorks, and the Oklahoma Station Chapter of Safari Club International. To learn more about NatureWorks, log on to natureworks.org. To learn more about the Oklahoma Station Chapter of SCI, log on to oklahomastationsci.org.
            To become more involved in the Hunters Against Hunger program, contact the Wildlife Department at (405) 522-6279.
 
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