Archery Talk Forum banner
Cancel
Create thread New Forums

Donating Deer Meat...

Jump to Latest
1 - 20 of 24 Posts

hunt1up

· Live Free or Die!
Joined
·
8,689 Posts
Discussion starter · #1 ·
The deer meat thread got me thinking, is it really that noble to donate a deer to HUSH, Hunters for the Hungry, or other similar programs? Who determines who gets the meat? In our society today 1 in 7 people are on food stamps. I see people that are flat broke buying Pepsi and ribeyes on their state aid cards. Everyone has a cell phone, new shoes. I'm all about helping my fellow man but are these deer donation programs a way for hunters to feel good about shooting deer and not eating them?

For the record, I've donated deer in the past. I've also given a number to family friends. Now every deer I kill goes in my freezer and I'm very protective of it!
 
#2 ·
It allows me to shoot multiple deer in multiple states. If only shoot what I physically could eat my season would be done after my first doe.

I agree with you that I would love to know what the criteria is for deciding who gets the meat, but even if it is the "food stamp" people, maybe that's one less stamp I have to pay for with my tax dollars and I still get the enjoyment of continuing to hunt.
 
#3 ·
I think its all good to help the poor. It's an opportunity to enjoy the sport, keeping populations in check, and feed the hungry. Food Bank in MO where I live are always in need of food, more than ever. I don't doubt that many they serve make wrong choices. Like a friend of mine told me one time poor people make poor decisions. This is not always the case but very commonly. I do think that we should try to keep a deer or two for ourselves just to keep true to the fact that when you harvest a deer should appreciate eating it as well. Food pantrys would not be able to provide the amount of food they do without these programs. One of the largest donators to this program in MO is the Missouri Farm Bureau. Keeps the deer off the hood of car. These programs are one of the few things in life that are a win win win for everyone. I don't claim that it is noble, just a good program all the way around. I don't consider it part of my tithe, just something I enjoy doing.
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
#4 ·
I think that you have to give it because you want to and let it go at that. We have so many people getting SNAP (new term for welfare) benefits that do not need them that refuse to work. And there are a few people out there that really need help that can not get what they need. The system is broken beyond repair or so it seems with more getting on govt. help everyday.

If I kill the 6 deer that I am allowed, I will eat all of them.
 
#5 ·
As long as it is eaten or used that is all that I care about. I am almost certain that some of the deer in Iowa goes to prisons to help feed inmates (don't quote me, but almost positive I heard that at one point). In my opinion, it is a lot more noble to donate an entire deer that is used than to see someone just cut out the loins and leave the rest of the deer. If it helps others, helps my state, and helps get doe numbers in check then I think deer donation programs are a great thing.
 
#6 ·
Good question. I have given away every deer I have shot in the past six years to share the harvest. Honestly, I dont do it because I am being charitable. I do it because it is the best way for me to get rid of the deer at no cost. If it helps someone, so be it. I know people will bust chops on that, but it is easy to bust chops when you like the taste of deer. I would think it pretty crazy to give away beef, cause I like it. I have zero problem shooting something that I am not going to eat, as long as someone will.

This year I am going to try to hang a deer in a cooler and butcher it myself and see if I like it better. If not, its back to share the harvest for me. Also, even though so many are on food stamps, at least its a few bucks saved when they eat the deer.

The thing for me is, since I dont eat the deer, I dont shoot many. I love to hunt and watch the deer and when a buck comes along that I want to mount, I will take it, but its not like I shoot five deer a year and then donate them all and act like I am doing it to help someone. The share the harvest helps me more than I help it.
 
#7 ·
I don't shoot what I don't eat. I don't have a problem with it in overpopulated areas but I do have a problem with kill mongers that will shoot every deer in sight just because they can, with no regard whatsoever to the local population. I know of only one guy that does this. He'll shoot 2 for his family, then he'll keep shooting them, often 6 or 8 more. He doesn't donate them. He'll call around til he finds someone to take it, often times by then its spoiled. Pizzes me off something terrible.
 
#8 ·
We do not have a donation program close to where I live so I get a list of folks who want deer and then go out and shoot them one.

I will have it processed for some special people but the majority come and get it shortly after I kill it.

In addition I keep one or two a year for myself .... some years I dont keep any and some slow years I will keep all of what I kill.

I absolutely love to hunt and the older I get the more I enjoy the management side of things .... and killing a certain number of doe each year is a part of that. I cant/wont/dont want to eat them all most years so I give them to people who want them.
 
#9 ·
hunt1up said:
The deer meat thread got me thinking, is it really that noble to donate a deer to HUSH, Hunters for the Hungry, or other similar programs? Who determines who gets the meat? In our society today 1 in 7 people are on food stamps. I see people that are flat broke buying Pepsi and ribeyes on their state aid cards. Everyone has a cell phone, new shoes. I'm all about helping my fellow man but are these deer donation programs a way for hunters to feel good about shooting deer and not eating them?

For the record, I've donated deer in the past. I've also given a number to family friends. Now every deer I kill goes in my freezer and I'm very protective of it!
Click to expand...
You think the freeloaders with Obamaphones, Obamafood, and Obamacare would be caught dead in a food shelter? Hell no, they be livin' high on the hog or ribeyes.... I envision the deer I have donated going to homeless people, but I could be jaded? I have donated in the past but not recently.
 
#10 ·
I dont donate any of mine im selfish ;). I definately wouldnt donate it to go to our prisons or people who are to lazy to work and think someone "owes them something" hell a person that absolutely needs help in this country cant hardly get it but if you refuse to work then oh heck yea we will help that person. Pretty sad to see how this system works. I would however in a heartbeat give a deer to someone in need and doing what they can to make it in this world. Just cant let myself help the ones who dont want to help themselves.
 
Discussion starter · #11 ·
Matt Musto said:
You think the freeloaders with Obamaphones, Obamafood, and Obamacare would be caught dead in a food shelter? Hell no, they be livin' high on the hog or ribeyes.... I envision the deer I have donated going to homeless people, but I could be jaded? I have donated in the past but not recently.
Click to expand...
Never seen a homeless person around here. If I go up to the city(Chicago) I see them. I'm pretty sure the guy sitting on the corner of Michigan Avenue isn't getting a deer some guy donates. Maybe I'm wrong though.
 
#12 ·
ours here go to the local food pantry and they have an application system to see if you qualify for a food basket and determine what and how much you get. I almost always donate my first deer of the season. it's usually still to warm to hang them overnight to butcher myself.
 
#13 ·
We donate several deer every year both here and in KS....the way I see it you are able to accomplish several components of effective management and promotion of our SPORT....we are able to effectively thin our doe herd and take out inferior buck wile sharing those harvests with some folks who otherwise may not have the privilege of having quality dinner fare. It enables me to take first-timers, youth hunters, and/or other hunters who have had struggles connecting on an archery deer and share that experience.

In both PA and KS you cannot donate to a specific shelter unless that shelter is part of the respective state programs. We were also surprised to learn that if you process your own deer, most shelters/food pantries cannot accept that meat, however, if it was processed in licensed/monitored facility and you have the receipt to prove it, most can accept that donation. So if you have a very specific location where you want your harvest to be delivered, it is likely that you will have to pay to have it processed, then donate that harvest. Interestingly enough, most recipients will provide you with a tax deductible receipt for the cost of the processing.

I hope any and all hunters would consider some sort of donation (whether in the form of your time, your harvest, or your land) it really goes a long way to help dispel many of the myths of hunters and what we do and why we do it. If you shoot what you eat doesn't mean you couldn't share a hunt with a youth hunter, some time at your local club introducing others to the sport or invite someone for a hunt....some of my most memorable experiences, have not involved me hunting or harvesting.

Joe
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
#14 ·
I've always processed and ate what I shot. You do have a solid point with the food stamps and state aid. Whenever donating anything to any cause through an organization there are always politics involved that we may or may not agree with. Either way I just load up the freezer and feed the family, roommates at college, and friends that like deer meat.
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
#15 ·
I used to be a "kill everything I see" person. Just because of the fact that I NEVER seen anything. So I would drop the first deer I seen. My best year was 3 deer. I kept one, gave one to the in-laws(love venison, just can't hunt), and one to my family(weren't lucky enough to see a deer). This year, however, I have had the chance to pass on 20+ deer, have taken 2 and donated them both. I have a close family friend that would like some more venison as they haven't had any in 2 years. So that is what I have to do next. Then, when all is said and done, I can add to my own freezer. I prefer to help out other people first :D
 
#16 ·
In Oklahoma the meat falls into the hands of the local food banks. Unsual a Church. They then distribute it within the local community. A few years ago I got a letter from the local church saying "thank you" for donating the deer to the program and that they had people depending on the meat every year.

The program is not very strong here anymore so I have a running list of working people that will take a deer that I have shot and field dressed. I gave away 5 deer last year. We have way too many does and I am glad to remove some and put them on someone's table.

Good for me, good for the landowners and good for my hungry friends.
 
#18 ·
I don't help programs like that as well because I don't feel that their "approval" process is correct. However I have donated deer but I have to know you and know that you are going to use it.
 
#19 ·
hunterhewi said:
I dont donate any of mine im selfish ;). I definately wouldnt donate it to go to our prisons or people who are to lazy to work and think someone "owes them something" hell a person that absolutely needs help in this country cant hardly get it but if you refuse to work then oh heck yea we will help that person. Pretty sad to see how this system works. I would however in a heartbeat give a deer to someone in need and doing what they can to make it in this world. Just cant let myself help the ones who dont want to help themselves.
Click to expand...
From a taxpayers point of view, I would rather see a deer go to any cause that saves us money in the long run.
 
#20 ·
hunt1up said:
The deer meat thread got me thinking, is it really that noble to donate a deer to HUSH, Hunters for the Hungry, or other similar programs? Who determines who gets the meat? In our society today 1 in 7 people are on food stamps. I see people that are flat broke buying Pepsi and ribeyes on their state aid cards. Everyone has a cell phone, new shoes. I'm all about helping my fellow man but are these deer donation programs a way for hunters to feel good about shooting deer and not eating them?

For the record, I've donated deer in the past. I've also given a number to family friends. Now every deer I kill goes in my freezer and I'm very protective of it!
Click to expand...
i don't believe hunters are donating deer just to help the needy. i believe they are doing it just to keep killing/hunting, whichever way you look at it. to me eating what you kill is part of the entire hunting process. just like scouting, hanging stands, clearing shooting lanes, putting time in the stand, etc. i don't care if someone donates meat or gives some away once they have all the meat they need for the year. what gripes me are the ones that don't eat venison and just kill deer to give them away. if they truely want to "help" the needy, than donate canned food or other food...Lord knows it will be less expensive.
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
1 - 20 of 24 Posts
About this Discussion
23 Replies
18 Participants
Last post:
CamoCop
Archery Talk Forum
posts
39M
members
240K
Since
2001
A forum community dedicated to bow and crossbow owners and archery enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about optics, hunting, performance, troubleshooting, styles, reviews, accessories, classifieds, and more!
Full Forum Listing
Explore Our Forums
General Archery Discussion Bowhunting and Bowhunter Showcases Traditional Archery Crossbow Forum - General Crossbow Discussion F.I.T.A, N.A.A., Collegiate Archery, And J.O.A.D.