11-17-2006, 08:04 PM
PIERRE, S.D.-As part of its ongoing effort to end hunger, the Safari Club International Foundation has declared Nov. 13 through Nov. 19 as Sportsmen Against Hunger Week. In its fourth year, SCFI is challenging hunters during the special week to donate a portion of their harvest from the hunting season to the hungry of their communities.
In South Dakota, the prospects for increasing those donations got a boost this year with the advent of a new program that offers hunters with antlerless deer tags for the Black Hills, West River and East River seasons $30 certificates that can be used to help pay for the cost of processing a donated antlerless deer.
"Hunters in South Dakota have proven their generosity in the past," said Jeff Olson, president of South Dakota Sportsmen Against Hunger, "and the availability of the $30 certificate should go a long way to increase hunter participation.
Almost 39,000 pounds of venison from more than 900 deer-plus a few antelope and elk-were donated by hunters in 2005. Also making their way to food bank freezers courtesy of generous hunters were more than 600 pheasants as well as some ducks and geese.
"You don't have to be a hunter to help us fight hunger," Olson said. "Tax-deductible donations will also go a long way toward making sure that the program continues to help the hungry of South Dakota."
Tax-deductible donations may be made to South Dakota Sportsmen Against Hunger, P.O. Box 1172, Pierre, SD 57501. Hunters can also make tax-deductible donations by using a check-off provision available on both online and paper applications for hunting licenses.
Anyone who's interested in the program can learn more about it at the S.D. Game, Fish and Parks Web site, www.sdgfp.info. Hold the cursor over the subhead "Get Involved" and click on the link to "Sportsmen Against Hunger." A list of processors who have agreed to accept the $30 certificates is available at the site.
The processing certificates are available to hunters with Black Hills, West River and East River antlerless deer licenses. Certificates can be ordered online at http://apps.sd.gov/applications/GF79SAHEntryForm.aspx. Hunters without Internet access can order the certificates through a friend or relative who has Internet access or get help at a GFP office.
Each hunter may have and use up to four certificates with each certificate good for helping with the cost of processing one antlerless deer. The cost of processing may be more than $30. Hunters should contact their processors directly to find out about the costs.
In South Dakota, the prospects for increasing those donations got a boost this year with the advent of a new program that offers hunters with antlerless deer tags for the Black Hills, West River and East River seasons $30 certificates that can be used to help pay for the cost of processing a donated antlerless deer.
"Hunters in South Dakota have proven their generosity in the past," said Jeff Olson, president of South Dakota Sportsmen Against Hunger, "and the availability of the $30 certificate should go a long way to increase hunter participation.
Almost 39,000 pounds of venison from more than 900 deer-plus a few antelope and elk-were donated by hunters in 2005. Also making their way to food bank freezers courtesy of generous hunters were more than 600 pheasants as well as some ducks and geese.
"You don't have to be a hunter to help us fight hunger," Olson said. "Tax-deductible donations will also go a long way toward making sure that the program continues to help the hungry of South Dakota."
Tax-deductible donations may be made to South Dakota Sportsmen Against Hunger, P.O. Box 1172, Pierre, SD 57501. Hunters can also make tax-deductible donations by using a check-off provision available on both online and paper applications for hunting licenses.
Anyone who's interested in the program can learn more about it at the S.D. Game, Fish and Parks Web site, www.sdgfp.info. Hold the cursor over the subhead "Get Involved" and click on the link to "Sportsmen Against Hunger." A list of processors who have agreed to accept the $30 certificates is available at the site.
The processing certificates are available to hunters with Black Hills, West River and East River antlerless deer licenses. Certificates can be ordered online at http://apps.sd.gov/applications/GF79SAHEntryForm.aspx. Hunters without Internet access can order the certificates through a friend or relative who has Internet access or get help at a GFP office.
Each hunter may have and use up to four certificates with each certificate good for helping with the cost of processing one antlerless deer. The cost of processing may be more than $30. Hunters should contact their processors directly to find out about the costs.