Deer season might be winding down, but it's not too late for Missouri hunters to participate in a program that exemplifies Thanksgiving: Share the Harvest.
We're talking about deer, not turkeys. The program was started as a way for hunters to share their venison with needy Missourians.
It allows venison donated by hunters and processors to be given to food banks for distribution to Missouri families in need. It's a partnership among the Conservation Federation, Missouri Department of Conservation, local food banks, meat processors and hunters.
Hunters can donate anywhere from a pound of venison to an entire deer. Last year, 4,280 hunters donated 198,277 pounds of venison through the program.
To participate, hunters can simply take their deer to an approved meat processor and let the processor know how much venison they wish to donate. The processor will package the meat, which will be picked up by local sponsoring organizations and taken to a charitable agency for distribution.
Hunters can get help with processing costs if they donate a whole deer during all portions of the archery and firearm seasons. The Conservation Federation of Missouri reimburses processors a pre-determined amount for each whole deer donated, according to the MDC website.
Based on recommendations from the CDC, MDC is requiring all deer donated to Share the Harvest that were harvested in Missouri counties where CWD has been found to be tested for the disease. Deer that test positive for CWD will not be used and will be properly disposed of.
Since the program started in 1992, Share the Harvest has provided more than 3.6 million pounds of venison to help feed Missourians in need.
We commend hunters for participating in the program this year, giving those in need a means to supply their family with healthy protein on more than just Thanksgiving Day.