The mission of South Dakota Sportsmen Against Hunger is to encourage and facilitate donation of wild game meat to needy people in South Dakota.
Sportsmen feeding SD
By: Emily Wickstrom, Capitol Journal, Pierre, February 10, 2011
Pierre, S.D. — One out of every seven people in South Dakota lives at or below the poverty level, with about half of that number being infants and children.
That’s the statistic supplied by Feeding South Dakota, the group that opened the Pierre Food Bank last year.
With fresh meat in high demand and difficult to obtain, Sportsmen Against Hunger is working to provide a significant amount of game meat to Feeding South Dakota as well as the Food Pantry for families in need.
“We work a lot with Feeding South Dakota,” said Ron Fowler, consultant with Sportsmen against Hunger.
“They figure that one pound of ground beef will provide meat in a meal for a family of four. It ends up being a lot of meals in this area for needy families.”
In 2010, more than 2,414 pounds of venison burger was donated, but that doesn’t count the amount of pheasants, elk, brats, sausage and salmon that are harvested.
In 2009, almost 98,000 pounds of game meat was donated by hunters through South Dakota Sportsmen Against Hunger and over the years more than 450,000 pounds of venison has been donated to needy families, which means 1.8 million meals of meat for hungry families.
“It is an excellent source of protein,” Dean Hyde, High Plains Wildlife Association board member, said. “On top of that, it contains no antibiotics or hormones.”
The program started in 1993 with the Black Hills Sportsmen Club in Rapid City. With the help of Fowler, the program has been expanded significantly.
Normally, Fowler said, the meat goes through a professional or commercial processor to ensure the quality of the meat, but any meat is accepted.
Although they primarily take deer meat, they also take antelope, elk and are getting more into pheasants.
Fowler said the mission is to encourage donations of game meat to families in need.
Fowler said that about 50 processors throughout South Dakota process game meat at a discounted price for the program.
The High Plains Wildlife Association and Sportsmen Club have been working with local processors to provide the meat. High Plains Wildlife Association helps provide delivery and storage.
When the meat, except for pheasants, is processed it is ground and packaged and then marked.
The meat is kept in two freezers at the Izaak Walton building.
“The storage that we have helps bring the meat to the Food Pantry during those times when the meat isn’t coming until the next hunting season,” Hyde said.
Copyright © 2011 Capital Journal
Generous Hunters Help Sportsmen Against Hunger Have Banner Year
SD Department of Game, Fish and Parks. April 25, 2010
PIERRE, S.D. - Hunters donated about 97,000 pounds of game meat to needy individuals and families across South Dakota during the 2009 hunting seasons through Sportsmen Against Hunger, nearly reaching the organization's goal of 100,000 pounds.
Sportsmen Against Hunger is a non-profit organization whose mission is to find a convenient way for hunters to donate harvested game to needy families.
This past year, Sportsmen Against Hunger reimbursed participating meat processors for processing 2,045 antlerless deer and 261 doe/fawn antelope donated by hunters, an increase from the 1,946 antlerless deer and 354 doe/fawn antelope donated in 2008. In addition, hunters donated 245 buck deer, 54 buck antelope, and 5,929 pheasants for which the hunters paid all processing costs.
Processed meat is periodically collected from participating processors and distributed to needy families and individuals across the state through more than 60 food pantries, which frequently are in short supply of fresh meat. Commercially processed game meat was also donated to food banks through a clean-out-your-freezer food drive in many areas, or was taken directly to food banks.
Total donations in 2009 amounted to 390,000 healthy meals for the needy.
"The generosity of hunters never ceases to amaze me" said Jeff Olson, president of South Dakota Sportsmen Against Hunger. "I am surprised by the increase, as donations of deer and antelope to SAH programs across the country were down in many states last fall. To show any increase at all really shows the sportsmen are becoming even more dedicated to this program in South Dakota."
Sportsmen Against Hunger reimburses participating processors $50 for each antlerless deer donated. The certificate program is costly and the organization is always looking for new ways to fund the program.
Last season, sportsmen donated almost $30,000 to SAH through an optional check-off program when applying for big-game tags. Hunters are encouraged to support the program by contributing through the check-off program when applying for 2010 tags.
To make a tax-deductible donation or see a complete list of participating processors in South Dakota, visit the following Web site: www.feedtheneedsd.com (our donations page).
The Game, Fish and Parks Department, through the GFP Commission, has been a significant supporter of Sportsmen Against Hunger. Other support has come for many years through grants from Wal-Mart, Scheels, the Elmen Foundation, the Great Dacotah Chapter of Safari Club International, and the Black Hills Advertising Federation.
"Many people contribute to the continuing success of Sportsmen Against Hunger," Olson said. "They include hunters who harvest a few more deer than they would normally take, the 49 participating game processors who generally reduce their fees for processing donated game, food pantries that distribute the donated game meat, and hunters, private donors and corporations making generous contributions to the program in South Dakota."
"Sportsmen Against Hunger volunteers, and all those who have benefited from the donated meat would like to send a big 'Thank You' to all participants in yet another banner year for the program," he said.
Donated game meat eases hunger of needy families
Hunters gave almost 97,000 pounds in 2009
By Thom Gabrukiewicz, Sioux Falls Argus Leader, April 19, 2010
South Dakota hunters donated almost 97,000 pounds of game meat to food pantries and kitchens last year, just shy of the Sportsmen Against Hunger's goal of 100,000 pounds.
Hunters take their field-dressed game into one of the participating processors across the state and say they want to donate it. The meat is turned into burger and shipped to locations served by the Community Food Banks of South Dakota.
"Oh, we're definitely pleased with that number," said Ron Fowler of Pierre, a consultant for Sportsmen Against Hunger. "We've heard that deer-harvest numbers were down in South Dakota, so nearly reaching our goal when harvest numbers are down really points to the generosity of hunters who want to help needy families. We're pleased that the word is getting out."
Last year, Sportsmen Against Hunger reimbursed participating meat processors for processing 2,045 antlerless deer and 261 doe/fawn antelope donated by hunters, an increase from the 1,946 antlerless deer and 354 doe/fawn antelope donated in 2008. In addition, hunters donated 245 buck deer, 54 buck antelope, and 5,929 pheasants, for which the hunters paid all processing costs.
The 2009 donations amounted to about 390,000 meals at more than 60 food pantries and kitchens.
"It's a very valuable source of protein," said Matt Gassen, executive director of the Community Food banks of South Dakota. "And good sources of protein are hard for us to get our hands on. We haven't seen the need stop in South Dakota, even as the economy continues to improve. It's not as bad as last year, but it's steady."
In Sioux Falls alone, the pantry provides emergency food to about 20,000 people a year.
"We're just happy to do it; it gives me time to bond with my boys and make a donation," said Gary Bornitz of Sioux Falls, who along with his two sons donated 14 animals to the program last year through Country Meats in Harrisburg.
As part of the program, $50 certificates for antlerless deer and $40 for doe/fawn antelope are available for hunters to pay for the processing.
To support the processing certificates, hunters can check off a donation when applying for big-game tags. People also can make a secure donation online at www.feedtheneedsd.com (our donations page).
Last season, sportsmen donated almost $30,000 to the program.
"The generosity of hunters never ceases to amaze me," said Jeff Olson, president of South Dakota Sportsmen Against Hunger.
Other than hunters, game processors and the Game, Fish and Parks Department, the program gets grant support from Walmart, Scheels, the Elmen Foundation, the Great Dacotah Chapter of Safari Club International and the Black Hills Advertising Federation.
"Many people contribute to the continuing success of Sportsmen Against Hunger," Olson said.
Big Deer Herd Helps Feed Needy in South Dakota
By Wayne Ortman, Associated Press, November 4, 2009
Community food banks in South Dakota likely will be the beneficiary again as state wildlife managers try to reduce a deer population that's seen a decade of growth.
Hunters killed a record 91,000 deer last year, a 46 percent increase over the estimated 62,000 deer taken in 2000.
The Game, Fish and Parks Department has been encouraging hunters to kill more female deer and donate the meat to the Sportsmen Against Hunger program, which last year provided 90,000 pounds of ground venison for distribution to needy families.
Some areas of the state are starting to see fewer deer, but others _ especially those with fewer humans _ don't draw enough hunters to kill as many deer as would be preferred, said Tony Leif, director of the wildlife division within GF&P.
"Sportsmen Against Hunger is one of those means we have been using, to some degree successfully, to encourage additional harvest of animals," he said.
Hunters who donate female deer and other antlerless deer can use a $50 certificate toward the processing costs. Most of the 48 processors who participate in the program charge $50 each. Hunters must pay the difference if the processor charges more.
Also available are $40 certificates to process donated female antelope or fawns.
The GF&P's wildlife division has budgeted $100,000 this year to help cover costs of the processing certificates. Donations from hunters and corporations also are used.
"We basically raise as much as we can and then we get bailed out by the Division of Wildlife every year," said Jeff Olson, president of Sportsmen Against Hunger.
Hunters last year donated 1,946 antlerless deer, 257 buck deer, 354 doe or fawn antelope, 20 buck antelope and one elk.
Frohling Meats at Hecla has been part of the program for several years and processed around 90 donated deer last year, said owner Jon Frohling, who charges $50 to process a donated deer.
"Our normal fee would be $85, so we are donating a little back, too, to supplement that deal," he said. "We're just happy to help out."
Processing the donated deer goes quicker because all the meat is ground up and packaged in 1-pound portions, Frohling said. Three workers could probably complete the process for one deer in about 15 minutes, he said.
The South Dakota Sportsmen Against Hunger program began in the Black Hills in 1993. Donations to date total more than 345,000 pounds of processed meat.
Donations began to increase in 2006 when $30 of processing costs were covered. The following year, the certificates increased to $50 and there was no limit on how many a hunter could use.
"As we found out, a big incentive to get sportsmen to drop a deer off is if they don't have to pay anything out of their pocket," said Olson, who also is a member of the Game, Fish and Parks Commission.
Deer licensing last year provided 189,159 deer tags, often in a combination buck-antlerless license.
"We've tried to get those double and triple license into hunters' hands so when they get their license to shoot their buck they get doe tags along and if the landowner wants additional harvest they already have the tools in their pocket to help them get that additional harvest of those antlerless animals," Leif said.
"For those hunters who really don't have the means or desire to take three deer home with them, the Sportsmen Against Hunger program has given them an outlet or a place to go with those other animals they can't eat themselves," he said.
Sportsmen Against Hunger Helps Feed the Needy
SD Department of Game, Fish and Parks. September 10, 2009
PIERRE, S.D. - Hunters donated about 97,000 pounds of game meat to needy individuals and families across South Dakota during the 2009 hunting seasons through Sportsmen Against Hunger, nearly reaching the organization's goal of 100,000 pounds.
Sportsmen Against Hunger is a non-profit organization whose mission is to find a convenient way for hunters to donate harvested game to needy families.
This past year, Sportsmen Against Hunger reimbursed participating meat processors for processing 2,045 antlerless deer and 261 doe/fawn antelope donated by hunters, an increase from the 1,946 antlerless deer and 354 doe/fawn antelope donated in 2008. In addition, hunters donated 245 buck deer, 54 buck antelope, and 5,929 pheasants for which the hunters paid all processing costs.
Processed meat is periodically collected from participating processors and distributed to needy families and individuals across the state through more than 60 food pantries, which frequently are in short supply of fresh meat. Commercially processed game meat was also donated to food banks through a clean-out-your-freezer food drive in many areas, or was taken directly to food banks.
Total donations in 2009 amounted to 390,000 healthy meals for the needy.
"The generosity of hunters never ceases to amaze me" said Jeff Olson, president of South Dakota Sportsmen Against Hunger. "I am surprised by the increase, as donations of deer and antelope to SAH programs across the country were down in many states last fall. To show any increase at all really shows the sportsmen are becoming even more dedicated to this program in South Dakota."
Sportsmen Against Hunger reimburses participating processors $50 for each antlerless deer donated. The certificate program is costly and the organization is always looking for new ways to fund the program.
Last season, sportsmen donated almost $30,000 to SAH through an optional check-off program when applying for big-game tags. Hunters are encouraged to support the program by contributing through the check-off program when applying for 2010 tags.
To make a tax-deductible donation or see a complete list of participating processors in South Dakota, visit the following Web site: www.feedtheneedsd.com
The Game, Fish and Parks Department, through the GFP Commission, has been a significant supporter of Sportsmen Against Hunger. Other support has come for many years through grants from Wal-Mart, Scheels, the Elmen Foundation, the Great Dacotah Chapter of Safari Club International, and the Black Hills Advertising Federation.
"Many people contribute to the continuing success of Sportsmen Against Hunger," Olson said. "They include hunters who harvest a few more deer than they would normally take, the 49 participating game processors who generally reduce their fees for processing donated game, food pantries that distribute the donated game meat, and hunters, private donors and corporations making generous contributions to the program in South Dakota."
"Sportsmen Against Hunger volunteers, and all those who have benefited from the donated meat would like to send a big 'Thank You' to all participants in yet another banner year for the program," he said.
Hunters Can Help the Hungry
SD Department of Game, Fish and Parks. September 10, 2009
RAPID CITY, S.D. - Hunters who need to clear freezer room for this year's deer, elk, and other wild game can help needy South Dakotans by donating game meat to the South Dakota Sportsmen against Hunger program.
The program will hold a "Clean Out Your Freezer" food drive from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 12, in Rapid City. Hunters can drop off frozen game meat at any of the city's three Family Thrift stores during the drive. The program also accepts donations of non-game meat and other non-perishable food items.
"Our whole purpose is to get healthy game meat to the people who really need it," said Jeff Olson, president of South Dakota Sportsmen Against Hunger. "We can't give the food banks enough meat."
The state's two food banks supply nearly 500 organizations in South Dakota. The organizations need meat from deer and other big game animals, Olson said. He encourages other communities across the state to organize similar food drives.
" Hunters have accomplished amazing things in the Sportsmen Against Hunger program's 15 years," Olson said. "In that time, more than 345,261 pounds of game meat made it to the state's needy, or enough meat for nearly 1.4 million meals."
The Sportsmen Against Hunger program set a record for donations last year and has brought more processors on board, he said.
If hunters can't make it to the Clean Out Your Freezer drive, they can individually take professionally processed and packaged meats to the Black Hills Regional Food Bank in Rapid City, Second Harvest Food Bank in Sioux Falls, or to any food pantry that accepts direct donations. Hunters are encouraged to tell the food bank or pantry that the donation is for the Sportsmen Against Hunger program. The donations are tax deductible.
Hunters also can help by donating processed meat from game animals harvested this fall. Call 800-456-2758 to find out where to take game animals. Sportsmen Against Hunger, game processors, and the state Game, Fish and Parks Department are making it even easier for hunters to contribute this year. Hunters can donate antlerless deer and does, or kid antelope, to any participating processor and fill out a short form. Processors receive $50 for each form returned to the state.
"I encourage hunters to fill their antlerless deer and antelope tags and donate the game to this program," Olson said. "They will help with the management of wildlife populations and provide a charitable service."
The Black Hills Sportsmen, Game, Fish and Parks, Black Hills Regional Food Bank and Second Harvest Food Bank all sponsor South Dakota Sportsmen Against Hunger.
Considerations for Conducting a Sportsmen Against Hunger "Clean Out Your Freezer" Food Drive
Check with a local food pantry, or the Community Food Banks office in Sioux Falls (1-877-366-3265) or Rapid City (1-800-211-4633), to find out if there is interest in receiving frozen game meat from a "Clean Out Your Freezer" food drive in your community.
If so, determine from the pantry or food bank what will be accepted in terms of the kinds of game meat, age of game meat, home and/or commercially processed meat. Also determine food storage arrangements, and pick up and delivery arrangements.
Possibly plan and coordinate with other organizations in the community.
Select a date and hours of day to conduct the food drive. A Saturday in September or October just prior to the major deer hunting seasons usually works well as long as it does not conflict with the opening of another season. Select at least one food drop-off location that is well-known to the public, and make arrangements with the location owner. Provide plenty of publicity at least 2-3 weeks in advance of the food drive. Arrange for media coverage of the drive.
Arrange plenty of coolers to temporarily store frozen meat at drop-off locations until it can be taken to pre-arranged freezers. At least one person involved in conducting the food drive should be at each drop-off location to answer questions, monitor cooler space, and provide timely delivery of the frozen meat to a freezer for permanent storage until needed by the food pantry or food bank. Report results back to the community with thanks. Those with questions should contact Jeff Olson (605-342-2445) or Ron Fowler (605-280-4977).
Another Good Year for Sportsmen Against Hunger
By Chuck Schlueter, SD Department of Game, Fish and Parks, April 17, 2009
PIERRE, S.D. Š The South Dakota Sportsmen Against Hunger (SAH) program donated approximately 90,000 pounds of venison and 3,066 pheasants to people in need across the state during the 2008 hunting seasons.
As a part of the program, certificates worth $50.00 for antlerless deer and $40 certificates for doe/fawn antelope were available at participating game processing facilities across the state. The past year there were 1,950 certificates used for antlerless deer and 354 certificates used for doe/kid antelope. The 2,304 certificates is an increase from the 1,757 certificates used in 2007.
Since it's inception, donations to the SAH program have continued to grow. The 90,000 pounds donated in 2008 was 20% greater than the 74,957 pounds donated in 2007.
"The generosity of hunters never ceases to amaze me" said Jeff Olson, president of the state Sportsmen Against Hunger program. "Sportsmen also donated 271 antlered deer, which do not qualify for the certificate program. They picked up the processing fees themselves on those deer. The hunting tradition is strong in South Dakota and the results of last year's program show that the tradition of sharing with those less fortunate is strong as well."
There are a number of other ways that game is donated to SAH besides using the certificate system. Additional pounds are donated to food banks thru clean-out-your-freezer food drives and sportsmen taking game directly to the food banks in their area.
According to Community Food Banks of South Dakota, the venison donated in 2008 translated into meat for over 360,000 meals for hungry families. Olson says they are always looking for more that can be done.
"I am truly amazed at the demand for game from our program. We are not coming close to meeting the needs of hungry families in our state. According to the Community Food Banks, one in seven families are at risk of not having sufficient resources to feed their families. I am certain that ratio is not getting better with the current state of the economy and the need is even stronger," Olson said.
Hunters can contribute in more than just donating harvested game. Certificates to processors are valued at $50 making this a costly program. "SAH is always looking for extra ways to fund this program," Olson said. "Sportsmen can donate on an optional check off box when applying for their big game tags or directly to the SAH web site."
Tax-deductible donations can be made by visiting our dontations page.
SD Game Fish and parks has been a major supporter of this program. The GF&P Commission supports the program thru hunting license dollars.
Another source of income comes to the program thru grants. SAH received $50,000 from Wal-Mart to help fund the SAH program last year. That is the largest grant to date. Wal-Mart along with Scheels, the Elmen Foundation and the Greater Dacotah Chapter of SCI have been supporting the program for many years. "A special thanks goes to Midcontinent Communications for airing the many PSA's over the years along with the Black Hills Advertising Association for helping in getting the word out on this program," Olson said. "There are so many people to thank that keep this program so successful, from the sportsmen who go out and harvest a few more deer than they would normally take to the corporations who understand the need here in South Dakota. Thanks for yet another banner year for Sportsmen Against Hunger."
Hunters can help the hungry
By: Editorial Staff, Pierre Capitol Journal, January 2, 2009
Hunters in this area have a unique opportunity to get back out into the fields and help the less fortunate at the same time.
Thursday, all unfilled and unsold South Dakota deer hunting tags switched to antlerless only. This extra hunting opportunity offers recreation for hunters as well as relief for landowners who may be suffering depredation problems because of hungry deer herds.
The deer, however, aren't the only ones who are hungry. Food pantries across the state are reporting empty shelves and a continuing need for fresh meat. That's where participating in the Sportsmen Against Hunger program can help. SAH specializes in getting meat to those in need. Working with processors and food pantries across the state, Sportsmen Against Hunger makes donating antlerless deer meat easy.
The program offers $50 certificates to help pay for the processing of a donated deer. Many of the processors who participate in the program accept the certificate as full payment for processing an antlerless deer.
A recent check of the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Web site found more than 2,700 leftover East River deer licenses and more than 3,700 leftover West River deer licenses still available. During the short season that goes through Jan. 9, all of those licenses are good for antlerless deer which qualify for the processing certificates offered by Sportsmen Against Hunger.
Hunters who want to learn more about the program or find a participating processor can check the organization's Web site.
This last deer hunting opportunity may be short in duration, but during those few days hunters will get a last chance to enjoy the outdoors of South Dakota while helping landowners and feeding the hungry.
Copyright © 2009 Capital Journal