Got deer? Food shelves seek venison donations

Got deer? Minnesota food shelves seeking venison donations.

Last update: November 8, 2009 - 12:08 AM

Minnesota food shelves are eager for venison donations as the firearms deer hunting season gets underway.

A state venison donation program accepts whole deer carcasses, complete with the hide and registration tag. Donated deer must show no signs of illness, decomposition or contamination.

Newell Searle of Second Harvest Heartland says demand at food shelves is up 50 percent since the recession set in last year. Donations are up, too, but not enough to match the demand.

State Rep. Rick Hansen pushed legislation two years ago to relieve hunters of paying to process donated deer. The Democrat from South St. Paul says the program makes it easy for hunters to help the hungry.

The firearms deer season opened Saturday.

ASSOCIATED PRESS