Donated deer-No processing charges to hunter

[Realtree]

Donated deer to be processed at no cost to hunters (2007-08-28)

Deer donated to food shelves will be processed at no cost to hunters this year, thanks to a new program coordinated by the Minnesota departments of Natural Resources (DNR) and Agriculture.

The program is aimed at providing a sought-after food source to those in need while encouraging hunters to help manage the deer herd by harvesting additional animals. Previously, hunters could donate deer to food shelves but had to pay processing costs themselves.

"DNR staff recognizes that ethically, hunters will not take more deer than they can consume," said Lou Cornicelli, DNR big game program coordinator. "Simply asking someone to take another deer to manage populations provides only half of the picture. The venison donation program was developed to provide hunters an avenue to donate, at no cost to them, the extra deer they harvest."

Processing costs are being offset through a $160,000 appropriation approved by the 2007 Legislature as well as an increase in nonresident hunting license fees. Hunters may also donate to the program. When purchasing a deer license purchase, hunters will be asked if they want to voluntarily donate $1, $3, or $5 to the program and any interested individual can also donate by visiting one of 1,800 ELS agents statewide.

For 2007, a minimum of $280,000 is available to the program and will pay for processing more than 4,000 deer. Additional donations will allow for more processing.

"DNR has been working closely with the Minnesota Department of Agriculture to create a program that is easy for all parties involved," Cornicelli said.

More details, on the venison donation program, as well as a list of participating meat processors are available online at www.dnr.state.mn.us.

[Realtree]

This is a great program that helps many families in need of assistance, as well as helping to keep current deer herds at a healthy level, and with the new changes there are no processing fees charged to the donating hunters. In the past, the hunter donating the deer was responsible for paying all processing fees. I hope there are others who help support this program in your local areas. 

[luvn-luvnlife]

This is a good program, the only thing I dont like is when the D.N.R raises the 2006 resident deer liscenses and says that it will be for the program and then they dont do it. The only money that is going to the program is from the non-resident hunters liscense sales, one dollar from each liscense sale. Now why would non-residents want to come to Minnesota and pay big bucks for a non-resident liscense and then give the deer to the needy? I don't know who's making out better here the needy or the greedy(DNR).

[jigglestick]

This is a good program, the only thing I dont like is when the D.N.R raises the 2006 resident deer liscenses and says that it will be for the program and then they dont do it. The only money that is going to the program is from the non-resident hunters liscense sales, one dollar from each liscense sale. Now why would non-residents want to come to Minnesota and pay big bucks for a non-resident liscense and then give the deer to the needy? I don't know who's making out better here the needy or the greedy(DNR).

LL, sounds to me like you and Bufflehead oughta get together and have beers at the campfire.

to me it is just another way they creatively, and I use the term loosely, to dress up the rate increase to make it appear to be going for a common good, when in fact, it is just another rate increase plain and simple.
what if the program doesn't fly? do you think they would then stop taking the dollar?
 ::)

[kenhuntin]

Funding
In 2007, the Minnesota legislature funded a program that will facilitate the donation of harvested deer to food shelves.  To pay for the program, a one-time appropriation of $160,000 came from the general fund and the cost of non-resident hunting licenses was increased by $5.  Next year, the cost of the bonus permit will increase by $1, which should bring in approximately $160,000/year.  Additionally, at the time of deer license purchase, hunters will be asked if they want to voluntarily donate $1, $3, or $5 to the program and any interested individual can also donate by visiting one of 1,800 ELS agents statewide.  

There is no cost to the hunter and processors will be reimbursed $70 for each deer they send to the food shelf.  In a nutshell, find out who is taking carcasses.  After you kill the deer, ensure you are handling it properly and it?s suitable for donation.  Take the deer to the processor, fill out some information and you?re done.

I like how they word this as no cost to hunters. Doesn't some of license fee money go to the general fund? Looks to me like it is all hunter dollars. The Idea is very worthy. It seems to me that the $70.00 might as well buy hamburger for them.I would like to thin the extra deer and help the needy but lets give these animals directly to people that want or need them.

[JohnWester]

like kenhuntin said... for $70, go buy that much hamburger... this whole program smells fishy to me.

[Realtree]

I'm not sure if any of this money goes to the general fund or not kenhuntin, i'm sure somehow, some of it does end up there though...I don't know what we can do about it, they seem to just keep taking what they want regardless of how we vote or who we put into office...too much "PORK" on the table these days to keep things on the up and up.