WV urban deer hunt is lifeline for food programs [View all]

https://www.wvgazettemail.com/ap/state/wv-urban-deer-hunt-is-lifeline-for-food-programs/article_b643c994-e012-50d2-a499-ef184a92d36b.html#tncms-source=block-behavioral

"MORGANTOWN — A bowhunt for deer in one West Virginia city that began several years ago has become a lifeline for local food pantries and community kitchens.

When hunters first proposed an urban deer hunt in Morgantown about a decade ago, the idea was to control the population. Collisions with cars were commonplace and the deer were seen as a pest that ate people’s shrubs and flowers, the Dominion Post reported.

Some residents were wary of letting archers hunt in the city, but the program has proven itself. Bowhunters have had no accidents while hunting more than 950 deer, resulting in about 9,500 pounds of ground venison.

Some of the meat is used by the bowhunters while the remainder is donated to organizations such as the Trinity Episcopal Church, Pantry Plus More, the Caritas House and the Ronald McDonald House.

Trinity Episcopal serves free lunches Monday through Friday, and uses the donated venison about twice a week, kitchen manager Jim Chapman said. The donated meat lasts the entire year, and has become an important way for them to offer high-protein meals without having to purchase expensive meat products. Some days the venison goes into meatballs. Other days, it could be used to make spaghetti sauce."...(more)