Illinois Sportsmen Against Hunger helps needy      

Donated deer benefit thousands throughout the state

[JAN. 6, 2006]  SPRINGFIELD -- Thousands of Illinois families have benefited this holiday season from the generosity of Illinois deer hunters, thanks to donations to the Illinois Sportsmen Against Hunger program. Established in 1989, Illinois Sportsmen Against Hunger encourages deer hunters to donate deer they harvest this fall and winter to be processed and distributed to food banks, food pantries and charitable organizations to help feed the hungry throughout the state. Prior to the second firearm season, hunters donated approximately 30,000 pounds of venison, which provided 120,000 meals to families throughout the state.

"Hunters have come through time and again to help feed hungry people in our state by donating whole deer to the Illinois Sportsmen Against Hunger program, and this year is no different," said Joel Brunsvold, director of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. "Since the program's inception, nearly 246,000 pounds of venison have been donated by hunters, providing more than 983,000 meals for needy families."

Last year the program received 40,837 pounds, which provided 163,348 meals to needy families. The program began in 1994 with 4,800 pounds donated.

"It's truly amazing to think of how much the program has grown over the last 11 years," said Tracy Shafer, the program manager. "We have enjoyed great success and will continue to do so, thanks to the generous hunters and meat processors of Illinois."

With harvest donations from the second firearm season (Dec. 1-4) and the remaining archery season (closes on Jan. 12) yet to be included, Shafer says she expects to eclipse last year's total donation of 40,837 pounds.

The Department of Natural Resources and the Illinois Conservation Foundation encourage hunters to donate deer and a tax-deductible $35 contribution through the foundation to help cover the cost of processing the deer meat.

In addition, the Department of Natural Resources has earmarked $100,000 from the state Wildlife and Fish Fund to assist in covering the costs of processing venison for the program from deer taken by hunters in areas of the state with growing deer populations. The additional funding is provided through nonresident archery deer permit fees.

Monetary donations to Illinois Sportsmen Against Hunger can be made to the Illinois Conservation Foundation, One Natural Resources Way, Springfield, IL 62702-1271. The funds help cover the costs of processing venison by almost 50 participating meat processors throughout the state.

"The tax-deductible monetary donations enable the Illinois Conservation Foundation to defray the cost of the Illinois Sportsmen Against Hunger program," said Jess Hansen, foundation director. "We gladly accept contributions from hunters and other supporters to keep this important program going."

A total of 51 Illinois counties will be open for the late-winter antlerless-only firearm deer season, set for Jan. 13-15. The late-winter deer season counties are Adams, Bond, Brown, Bureau, Calhoun, Carroll, Cass, Clark, Clay, Clinton, Crawford, Edwards, Fayette, Franklin, Fulton, Greene, Hamilton, Hancock, Jackson, Jasper, Jefferson, Jersey, Jo Daviess, Johnson, Knox, LaSalle, Lawrence, Macoupin, Madison, Marion, McDonough, McLean, Monroe, Montgomery, Morgan, Ogle, Peoria, Perry, Pike, Randolph, Richland, Schuyler, Scott, St. Clair, Union, Wabash, Washington, Wayne, White, Whiteside and Williamson.

For a list of meat processors handling venison for the Illinois Sportsmen Against Hunger program, check http://dnr.state.il.us and click on "Sportsmen Against Hunger" in the announcements on the home page (or click here). [To download Adobe Acrobat Reader for the processor list, click here.]

For further information about Illinois Sportsmen Against Hunger, contact Tracy Shafer, program coordinator, at [phone] or [e-mail].

[Illinois Department of Natural Resources news release]

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