Hunt for the Hungry sees deer donations drop 40 percent

By Steve Wideman • Post-Crescent staff writer • December 18, 2008

Meat processor says more keeping deer harvests

KAUKAUNA — A year ago, Beck’s Meats of Kaukauna was busy processing more than 150 deer harvested and donated by hunters to give to food pantries.

This year just 45 deer have been donated, said Beck’s manager Brad Fink.

“It’s the tough economic times,” Fink said. “We got a lot less deer because more people are keeping them instead of donating them.”

Statewide, meat processors participating in the venison donation program say Wisconsin hunters have given more than 6,500 deer to help feed the hungry this season.

That’s a 40 percent drop from the previous year, said Lee Dudek, founder of Hunt for the Hungry, which provides donated deer meat to 25 food pantries in 11 northeast Wisconsin counties, including the St. Joseph Food Program in Menasha.

“Deer hunters fortunate to get extra deer this year are giving the deer meat to relatives or other folks in need,” Dudek said. “Considering the economic times we are living in, these are unprecedented conditions for donations.”

Dudek said the 6,500 includes 1,350 deer donated to Hunt for the Hungry.

Dudek said the drop in donations also reflects a drop in the deer gun harvest this year. The deer gun harvest dropped by 20 percent, a 15-year low, according to the state Department of Natural Resources.

“Hunters did take less deer, which also contributes to the decline in donations,” Dudek said.

DNR Secretary Matt Frank says the program helps needy families put high-quality protein on the table.

Frank says the need continues and hunters are urged to bag a deer for food pantries during the late bow season or holiday hunts.

Dudek said hunters should look in their freezers for unneeded deer meat or any other wild game.

“It would be nice to see more donations in our program,” Dudek said.

All deer from chronic wasting disease zones are tested for presence of CWD before processing.

The DNR says since the 2000 fall hunting season, hunters in Wisconsin donated more than 68,000 deer and provided more than 3 million pounds of ground venison to food pantries.

This year, 123 meat processors in 55 counties are participating in the program.

Posted on 24th December 2008 by Mike Bell
Under: Hunters feeding the Hungry, News you can use, Other stuff | No Comments »

NSSF Bulletpoints

NSSF BULLETPOINTS

COLT SHOWS STRONG COMMUNITY SUPPORT . . . Colt Companies presented a $47,328.88 contribution to the United Way Community Campaign at their West Hartford, Conn., offices on Thursday. The money was a joint contribution of Colt Defense, Colt’s Manufacturing Co. and UAW Local 376, which represents union employees at Colt. Accepting the donation on behalf of the campaign was Susan Dunn (second from left), president and CEO of the United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut, based in Hartford. Colt personnel from left are Mike Magouirk, Jerry Deveau, Henrietta Green, Michael Holmes, Deneen Silvers, Jeffrey Bifolck and Martin Sholes.

PHEASANT CHAPTER HOSTS HUNT FOR COMBAT VETERANS . . . With the encouragement of her stepfather, an army veteran himself, 18-year-old Mackenzie Nix put together a nearly year-long project to bring combat-tested veterans to her hometown of Garden City for a weekend of pheasant hunting. This was her project for the community service requirement for high school graduation. It became a communitywide effort, during which more than 70 companies and individuals donated thousands of dollars in time, supplies and products to bring 12 Ft. Riley soldiers and their families to the area. Nix says she just wanted to say thank you to the many soldiers who risk their lives and sacrifice so much to serve the country.

NOMINATE A PHYSICALLY CHALLENGED YOUNG PERSON FOR A DREAM HUNT . . . Bullet Points recently reported on a dream hunt 13-year-old cancer-stricken Brittany Zebrasky won as part of the Ruffed Grouse Society’s (RGS) Under Broken Wings (UBW) program. now RGS is asking the industry and the general public to submit the name of qualified candidate to be considered for future UBW hunts. The UBW board seeks a physically challenged young person and invites that person, along with his or her family, to the RGS National Grouse and Woodcock Hunt, sponsored by the Grand Rapids, Minn., chapter.

Posted on 22nd December 2008 by Mike Bell
Under: Disabled hunting groups, Dream Hunts, News you can use, Other stuff | No Comments »

Bowtech owners - Safety Recall Information

FACTORY MODIFICATION CAMPAIGN

Affecting the 2008 General compound bow - 60# and 70# limb Integrity

BowTech publicizes this notice as a service to BowTech customers and potential BowTech customers. We have determined a potential defect relating to the limb integrity on certain 2008 General bows produced between October 2007 and July 17, 2008.

Consumer safety has and continues to be BowTech’s primary concern, and while the incidents of failure are small, our integrity will not be compromised over business issues.

The reason for this recall: The affected limbs on 60# and 70# 2008 General bows may have been incorrectly machined, resulting in possible limb separation through the center of the axle hole. Should this happen, the affected limbs could cause the cam and axle to pull free from the limb causing major failure and the risk of personal injury to the operator and/or bystanders. Although the combined failure rate is less than 1%, we view it unacceptable and have implemented corrective action.

Corrective action BowTech has implemented: To correct this possible defect, BowTech has initiated a Factory Modification Campaign. All General bows purchased within the affected date range must be inspected by an Authorized BowTech Dealer to identify the affected bows. All General limbs built before July 17th will be replaced with new limbs featuring an Enforcement Collet System correcting the potential limb failure problem. This Enforcement Collet System was implemented only after extensive testing and documentation of over 40,000 mechanical shots, on several bows without failure, validating its durability and performance.

What you should know: You should not draw or attempt to fire your 2008 General until this important inspection, and if necessary, modification is performed by an Authorized BowTech Dealer. If you are not the original owner of your 2008 General, and are unsure if the inspection/modification has been completed, contact any Authorized BowTech Dealer for inspection. Any Authorized BowTech Dealer can perform the inspection and modification. For the name and location of a dealer near you call 888-689-1289 or visit the dealer locator section at www.BowTechArchery.com.

Posted on 21st December 2008 by Mike Bell
Under: Group of the Month, News you can use, Other stuff | 1 Comment »

Lead Ban Chronicles - New research linking lead ammo and eagles in MN

Skinny Moose Media

Posted: 20 Dec 2008 08:00 AM CST

For those who feel the lead ammo issue has been a nonstop avalanche of bad news, you may want to stop reading now.

According to this article in the Grand Forks Herald, a Minnesota bird rehabilitator, Beth Siverhus, has noted an annual upsurge in the number of bald eagles coming in during the deer seasons. Following the recent research done in MN that highlighted how much lead a bullet could leave behind, Siverhus apparently began making connections. After two eagles that were turned in to the raptor center turned out to have high levels of lead, she was certain there was a link.

“With the venison being pulled off food shelves and all of a sudden those articles about raptors with lead poisoning, and then I got three of them,” Siverhus said. “It was time to do something.”

That “something” was to write a Letter to the Editor asking hunters to start looking into alternatives to lead ammo.

The article goes on to describe how Siverhus and some other researchers have created a fairly compelling case, albeit primarily circumstantial, that lead bullet fragments and lead fishing tackle have been poisoning these birds.

Now according to the article, Siverhus and the others are not asking for an all-out ban on lead ammunition. Rather, they’re calling for a voluntary switch… and I have to say, they make an interesting point.

“That’s one of the things we get a lot — why bother if a few eagles are dying?” Cruz-Martinez said. “First of all, it’s an ethical issue. If you can use another ammo type that will prevent this, why don’t you do it? And we really don’t know the long-term effects of lead on these eagle populations.”“That’s one of the things we get a lot — why bother if a few eagles are dying?” Cruz-Martinez said. “First of all, it’s an ethical issue. If you can use another ammo type that will prevent this, why don’t you do it? And we really don’t know the long-term effects of lead on these eagle populations.”

I tend to agree with the sentiment here. If we know there are harmful implications to using lead ammo, and if we can switch, then why not? It comes back to my argument all along, that hunters need to be the ones in the forefront of this issue if we want to see sensible regulations and solutions.

Here are a few thoughts and ideas:

Copper bullets are the best choice for those whose firearms handle them well, and if the hunter can afford them. However, they are not available in a wide range of chamberings, and they are expensive.
Bullets designed to fragment leave large amounts of lead in the meat, far from the wound. From an environmental and human health standpoint, these are the worse choice for hunters, but they are the most economical and widely available.
Bonded bullets, although they have lead cores, tend to leave minimal lead fragments or residue and are much safer for the wildlife and humans. They are more expensive than traditional lead bullets, and are not available for all calibers.
Shotgun slugs and muzzleloader bullets tend to hold together and leave less lead fragments and residue. These are good choices as alternatives to centerfire rifles if hunting conditions permit their use.
Shot placement can minimize the potential problems. Avoid hitting large bones, and keep the shots out of the abdominal cavity. Wait for a good shot or pass until you get a better opportunity.
If possible, dispose of gut piles and carcasses in a safe place. Burying it is a good option when practical.

I can’t emphasize enough, if hunters do not proactively attempt to be part of the solution, then the solution may very well not include us at all. CA’s lead ban should be all the proof of that you need. A general lead ammo ban is coming from sea to shining sea… maybe sooner, maybe later… but it IS coming.

Posted on 21st December 2008 by Mike Bell
Under: Lead in Venison meat, News you can use, Other stuff | No Comments »

Under Broken Wings program success attributed to the generosity of concerned individuals and companies

Coraopolis, Pennsylvania — Following last weeks press release on Brittany Zebrasky — the 13 year old cancer stricken eight grader who participated in the Ruffed Grouse Society’s (RGS) Under Broken Wings (UBW) program — there have been numerous inquiries from individuals and manufacturers offering to lend assistance, much the same as Cabela’s, has done since the programs inception.

For the past three years, Cabela’s has had a significant role in the programs success, providing each of the young participants with the appropriate hunting clothing and gear. This year, the United Sportsman Special Alliance - a not-for-profit organization which grants outdoor wishes to disabled and terminally ill youngsters - became part of the selection process.

Each year the UBW Board seeks out a physically challenged youngster and invites that person, along with his or her family to the RGS National Grouse and Woodcock Hunt sponsored by the Grand Rapids, MN Chapter.

If you know of a child that fits that description, and would like for him or her to be considered for the program contact Jerry Snetsinger, 28019 Sunset Point Road, Cohasset, MN, 55721, or by e-mail at dsnets@lcp2.net .

Established in 1961, the Ruffed Grouse Society is the one international wildlife conservation organization dedicated to promoting conditions suitable for ruffed grouse, American woodcock and related wildlife to sustain our sport-hunting tradition and outdoor heritage.

Information on the RGS, its mission, management projects and membership can be found on the web at: www.ruffedgrousesociety.org.

Media Contact:
Jerry Snetsinger, 218- 328-5430 dsnets@lcp2.net

Posted on 17th December 2008 by Mike Bell
Under: Disabled hunting groups, Dream Hunts, News you can use, Other stuff | No Comments »

GunBroker.com Charity Auction Raises Funds To Fight Breast Cancer

The other day on the Treestand Investor blog, I posted a release on a charity auction to fight breast cancer. Last month I think I posted here about charity auctions and that Hunters Helping Hunters was in the process of setting up some auction fundraisers to help our fellow hunters in need.

GunBroker.com® (www.gunbroker.com) joined the fight against breast cancer, hosting a charity auction of an unusual pink rifle that raised $3,575.

The pink AR-15 style DPMS Panther Lite rifle with 16-inch barrel was donated by DPMS Panther Arms. Its auction was viewed more than 23,000 times and attracted 34 bids.

“This charity auction supports the fundraising goals of the GunBroker.com Family Team to help in the fight against breast cancer, one of the leading causes of death in women around the world,” said Steve Urvan, owner of GunBroker.com. “Although many of our buyers and sellers are men, they are touched by this disease through their wives, mothers and daughters. We wanted to do our part to help improve treatment and save lives.”

To read more on this:

Posted on 17th December 2008 by Mike Bell
Under: Hunters Helping Hunters, Hunters helping others, News you can use, Other stuff | No Comments »

Ammo Ban And Registration Proposal Getting Fresh Look

December 15, 2008
Right Side News Reports

Happy Holidays: Now dispose of all of your ammunition! Every last round! From now on, you will be able to buy only overpriced ammunition that will be registered to you in a government database.
Not yet–at least for now. A small company, Ammunition Accountability–which wants to help anti-gunners price and regulate the Second Amendment out of existence, profit at the expense of our rights, or both–has found radical anti-gun legislators in 18 states willing to introduce bills pushing such nonsense.

But few anti-gun proposals are so overtly aimed at destroying the Right to Keep and Bear Arms. As we began noting on http://www.nraila.org/ in January, so-called “encoded ammunition” or “serialized ammunition” bills would require ammunition manufacturers to engrave a serial number on the base of the bullet and the inside of the cartridge casing of each round of ammunition for popular sporting caliber center-fire rifles, all center-fire pistols, all .22 rimfire rifles and pistols, and all 12 gauge shotguns. In all but one of the bills, people would be required to forfeit all personally owned non-”encoded” ammunition. After a certain date, it would be illegal to possess non-”encoded” ammunition. Reloading would be rendered illegal.

People would be required to separately register every box of “encoded ammunition” and the registration would be supplied to the police. Each box of ammunition would have a unique serial number, thus a separate registration. Gun owners would have to maintain records if they sell ammunition to anyone, including family members or friends. The cost of ammunition would soar, for police and private citizens alike. The Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturing Institute estimates it would take three weeks to produce ammunition currently produced in a single day. A tax of five cents a round would be imposed on private citizens, not only upon initial sale, but every time the ammunition changes hands thereafter. (more from SAAMI HERE and Senate Bill 357)

And to what benefit in terms of fighting crime? Criminals already steal guns and would certainly steal ammunition. Burglaries would be encouraged. Criminals could also use shotguns, which fire pellets too small to encode, and which use shell casings made of plastic, which would be difficult to engrave. Criminals could also collect ammunition cases from shooting ranges, and reload them with molten lead bullets made without serial numbers.

Congress eliminated a handgun ammunition sale recordation requirement in 1983, because there was no law enforcement benefit. Be on the lookout in your states in the next legislative session for anti-gun zealots who refuse to learn from history, plus continue their crusade against our Second Amendment rights.

For more information on this issue, please visit www.nraila.org/Issues/FactSheets/Read.aspx?id=227&issue=005, and www.nraila.org/Issues/Articles/Read.aspx?id=289.

Posted on 15th December 2008 by Mike Bell
Under: Legislation / News, News you can use, Other stuff | No Comments »

More demand for share of deer harvest

By RICHARD FELLINGER Harrisburg bureau

Updated: 12/11/2008 11:49:40 AM EST

Even a statewide deer-donation program is feeling pressure from a wounded economy.

Hunters Sharing the Harvest, a nonprofit that helps hunters donate venison to the hungry, is struggling to keep up with increasing demand at food banks, according to executive director John Plowman.

Last year hunters donated a record of more than 100,000 pounds of venison, which provided more than 200,000 meals for food banks, but the combination of economic woes and high food costs is creating even more need this year.

“The big problem is need,” Plowman said.

The news isn’t all bad. Though it’s too soon to know how much meat hunters will donate this year, Plowman said he’s made random calls to processors across the state who said donations remain strong.

“The hunters are aware of the fact that people need help,” Plowman said.

Officials say more than 1.3 million Pennsylvanians live at risk of going hungry, and nearly a half-million people a month meet part of their food needs at a pantry or soup kitchen.

Established in 1991, Hunters Sharing the Harvest has a network that allows hunters to take their deer to a participating processor and donate all or part of their venison to the program. The meat typically goes to one of 21 regional food banks that distribute it to thousands of pantries and soup kitchens.

Food banks are especially happy to have the meat because it’s a rare source of high-protein food for some of the state’s nutritionally deprived citizens.

Read the rest of this entry »

Posted on 14th December 2008 by Mike Bell
Under: Hunters feeding the Hungry, Hunters helping others, News you can use, Other stuff | 1 Comment »

FDA nixes proposed ‘prescription pistol’

‘I would assume it’s due to political pressure,’ said gun’s inventor

By Ricardo Alonso-Zaldivar

updated 4:43 p.m. ET, Mon., Dec. 8, 2008

WASHINGTON - It could have been the world’s first prescription pistol. The single-bullet Palm Pistol set the Internet abuzz with speculation that Medicare might even pay for the elderly and disabled to pack heat.

But on Monday the Food and Drug Administration said the Palm Pistol doesn’t have a shot of being listed as a medical device, and revoked the registration issued to its inventor only last week.

“The FDA has determined the product is not a medical device,” the agency said in a statement.

The inventor is crying foul. “I would assume it’s due to political pressure,” said Matthew M. Carmel, from Maplewood, N.J. He said he’s researching a possible appeal.

Medicare, the giant health care program for seniors and the disabled, would never have covered guns for grandmas anyway. “Medicare will not cover it because there is no approved category for weapons,” said spokesman Peter Ashkenaz. “So it would not be viewed as reasonable and necessary.”

Carmel said the elderly and disabled are easy targets for criminals, and the Palm Pistol could be an equalizer. Shaped like an oval, it fits in your palm. The barrel sticks out through your fingers. And instead of pulling a trigger, you push down on a button with your thumb. No working models exist yet, Carmel added.

But he said he wanted to start advertising to seniors, so he called the FDA and was advised to register his company, Constitution Arms, as a medical device facility and list the Palm Pistol as a “recreational adaptor.” The registration seemed to go through without any problems.

FDA spokeswoman Siobhan DeLancey said Carmel apparently got some bad advice from a representative of the agency.

And maybe he should have paid more attention to the fine print on the registration notice. It said: “Registering … does not, in any way, constitute FDA approval of your facility or your devices.”

An earlier version of this article reported that the FDA had accepted the Palm Pistol as a medical device, based on last week’s registration.

Posted on 10th December 2008 by Mike Bell
Under: Adaptive Equipment, News you can use, Other stuff | No Comments »

VENISON DONATION . . .

One of the most selfless acts hunters can do for their community is donate venison from the deer that they harvest to feed the needy. After a questionable study regarding the health factors involved in venison from deer killed by traditional ammunition, the federal Centers for Disease Control ran its own study, which gave venison a clean bill of health — and the National Shooting Sports Foundation has addressed those results on its new blog. An article in the Poughkeepsie Journal highlights the welcomed efforts of one unified group of sportsmen, typical of hunting groups across the nation, that are making a difference in their community because of its venison-donation program. Despite the exhaustive federal study, Minnesota has adopted an expensive procedure of X-raying donated venison, at a cost of 30 cents a pound, before it is distributed!

Posted on 8th December 2008 by Mike Bell
Under: Lead in Venison meat, News you can use, Other stuff | 1 Comment »

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