Meat Is Hard for Hungry Families to Come By. Enter These Deer Hunters.

[Dial H For Hero]

https://dnyuz.com/2021/11/24/meat-is-hard-for-hungry-families-to-come-by-enter-these-deer-hunters/

Mike Aversa, a semiretired accountant, goes hunting as often as possible.

He uses the first six or seven deer he shoots each season to stock his family’s freezer and table. Venison chili, venison meatballs and venison sausage are staples in his house in Annandale, a community in western New Jersey.

In 1997, a desire to do what he could to share the much-needed source of protein with food-insecure families — while indulging a hobby and addressing the state’s severe overpopulation of deer — motivated Mr. Aversa to join with two friends and found Hunters Helping the Hungry.

A quarter century later, the program is considered one of the top three game-meat donation programs in the country, according to a study by a firearms trade association. Since its start, the all-volunteer nonprofit has arranged for the donation of 14,731 deer — about 2.2 million quarter-pound servings of fresh, lean protein — to New Jersey residents in need.

[Elessar Zappa]

1. That's great.

I’m glad needy families are able to get this meat from generous hunters.

[NNadir]

2. Although I personally don't eat meat, NJ has a serious...

...deer problem, hunters and cars being the only predators. They do tremendous damage to local forests.

These are not factory raised animals. I approve of this program.

[mitch96]

3. I thought harvesting feral hogs would be another source of meat for the poor. Hog is pretty

lean so slaughter houses fat trimmings mixed in would help... Just a thought.
My aunt would mix hog fat with deer meat for flavor. It was ok but nothing to write home about. YMMV
m

[70sEraVet]

4. I keep hearing about Chronic Wasting Disease spreading through deer populations

I guess there isn't an instance YET of it spreading to humans. But the world certainly doesn't need another disease originating from eating the meat of a wild animal.
See:
https://www.cdc.gov/prions/cwd/prevention.html

[WhiskeyGrinder]

5. It's not nearly as big a problem in NJ as in other parts of the country.

[AndyS]

6. I have participated in state organized hunts to control population and all the harvest was donated

to various food banks and shelters. This is a worthy endeavor from every standpoint; keeps animal population at healthy levels, provides sustenance to those who need it and recreation for those who enjoy the hunt.

Now, if we could organize a year around hunt for feral hogs that would serve four purposes: those listed above and depleting an invasive species that is reproducing out of control. No season on hogs! All year around! Feed people!

Win, win, win!

[mitch96]

7. +1