Deer Hunters Help to Feed the Hungry
By: KNWA News via KARK, Little Rock
Updated: December 7, 2012
Arkansas Food Bank says it might hit its goal this year - thanks to deer hunting.
They say just one donated deer can make a big difference for needy families.
Crews at this meat processing plant in Alexander are working sun up to sun down seven days a week. With deer season in full swing, they're seeing a 20 to 40 percent increase in orders to butcher game meat.
Joey Hutchinson runs this plant. He's expecting more hunters will drop off their kills before the season ends, "We got more deer than we've ever had, we've got more people hunting them ever hunting in the past I believe."
And the head of Arkansas Hunters Feeding the Hungry is hoping those numbers will translate into more meals for needy families.
"A typical deer can produce 30-40 pounds of meat and that you know 120-150 servings from just one deer so that's how important each deer is to helping us feed the hungry," said Hutchison.
Last year the charity group got 70-thousand pounds of deer meat donated by hunters. This year, Ronnie Ritter's goal is 80-thousand pounds.
Game and Fish reports Arkansas deer hunters are on track to set a new record.
They've bagged more than 183-thousand deer and are expected to harvest more than 200-thousand. Last year's total was 195-thousand.
They say just one donated deer can make a big difference for needy families.
Crews at this meat processing plant in Alexander are working sun up to sun down seven days a week. With deer season in full swing, they're seeing a 20 to 40 percent increase in orders to butcher game meat.
Joey Hutchinson runs this plant. He's expecting more hunters will drop off their kills before the season ends, "We got more deer than we've ever had, we've got more people hunting them ever hunting in the past I believe."
And the head of Arkansas Hunters Feeding the Hungry is hoping those numbers will translate into more meals for needy families.
"A typical deer can produce 30-40 pounds of meat and that you know 120-150 servings from just one deer so that's how important each deer is to helping us feed the hungry," said Hutchison.
Last year the charity group got 70-thousand pounds of deer meat donated by hunters. This year, Ronnie Ritter's goal is 80-thousand pounds.
Game and Fish reports Arkansas deer hunters are on track to set a new record.
They've bagged more than 183-thousand deer and are expected to harvest more than 200-thousand. Last year's total was 195-thousand.
