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Hunters for
the Hungry prepares for 2003 collection
Two new collection sites added this year
Hunters for the Hungry is a
program through which harvested deer become nutritious venison to benefit
those who need it the most. More than 800 deer were donated during the
2002 collection and in total, more than 95,000 pounds of venison havebeen
donated since the program began in 1993, according to the Georgia Department
of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources Division. Hunters can donate
deer on the weekends of Nov. 1-2 or Nov. 29-30 at six of the collection
sites and from Nov. 1 – Nov. 30 at three additional collection sites.
Two new collection sites have been added this year – one in Columbus
and one in Dallas.
“The Hunters for the Hungry program is an opportunity to show the
positive aspects of hunting and provide a very necessary contribution
to Georgia’s needy every year,” said WRD Director Noel Holcomb.
“Our agency is very pleased to continue this traditional collection
and hope to continue to offer it for years to come.”
Hunters interested in participating in HFTH should bring field-dressed
deer to any of the drop-off locations (see below). All hunters who donate
a deer during these weekends will receive a free HFTH T-shirt and will
have their name entered into a drawing, sponsored by the Georgia Wildlife
Federation, for a deer rifle.
The following six locations will be available between 9 a.m. and 8 p.m.
Nov. 1-2 and Nov. 29-30:
• Social Circle – WRD Fish Hatchery on Hwy. 278 (1.5 miles north
of Exit 101 off I-20).
• Lexington – Oglethorpe County Farmer’s Market on U.S.
Hwy 78.
• Newnan – Ga. Hwy 34 bypass (north of Newnan, east of intersection
with Ga. Hwy 16).
• Dallas (new site) – Paulding Forest Wildlife Management Area.
• Gainesville – Hall County Farmer’s Market.
• Rome – Berry College Wildlife Management Area Check Station.
The following three locations will accept deer (during business hours)
from Nov. 1 – Nov. 30:
• Jefferson – Sealey’s Deer Processing, 5675 South Apple
Valley Road
• Leesburg – Branch Taxidermy and Deer Processing, 105 State
Hwy. 377
• Columbus (new site) – Daffin’s Meat Processing, 4100
River Bend Road.
“As we head into this season of giving, the generosity of Georgia’s
hunting community is always remarkable,” said Sarah Murphy of the
Atlanta Community Food Bank. “Their protein-rich donations are some
of our most needed food items. We at the Atlanta Community Food Bank owe
each hunter a debt of gratitude for their efforts.”
Sponsors of HFTH include WRD, GWF, Georgia Department of Agriculture,
Georgia Department of Corrections, Georgia Outdoors News and the Atlanta
Community Food Bank (representing the Georgia State Association of Food
Banks).
“The Georgia Wildlife Federation is looking forward to another great
year of Georgia sportsmen and women fulfilling their conservation mission,”
said Jerry McCollum, President and CEO of GWF. “It is our responsibility
to see that we use our resources wisely – and this is an outstanding
way to show that hunters care not only about the game they pursue, but
also about those in need.”
For more information on donating game to those in need during other times
of the year, call the Atlanta Community Food Bank at (404) 892-FEED. For
more information on the HFTH program, visit www.gohuntgeorgia.com, contact
a WRD Game Management Office or call 770-535-5700.
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