The average white-tailed deer yields about 42 pounds of venison – or, to put it another way, about 168 bowls of venison chili. And for Tennesseans struggling with hunger, that is quite a bounty.
Since 1998, the Tennessee Wildlife Federation has helped combine wildlife management with community service through Hunters for the Hungry, a program that invites hunters to donate parts of their harvest to help those in need.
Throughout deer season, which runs from September to January, hunters can donate whole deer or portions of deer to a number of certified wild-game processors spread across the state. The processors then grind and freeze the meat, and often help select which local nonprofits receive the free supply.
“Every time I get a new processor, I ask if they have an organization near and dear to their heart,” says program manager Matt Simcox.
White-tailed deer populations in Tennessee total nearly 1 million. In order to help manage the animals, deer hunting is permitted in all Tennessee counties./Photo contributed by Tennessee Wildlife FederationEach year, Hamilton County’s single certified processor receives an average of 1,500 pounds of donated venison, which is divvied up among food banks, soup kitchens and churches. But, Simcox says, the bulk of the bounty goes to One Accord Community Church in Red Bank, an organization that was referred by Bob Winder, owner of Hixson’s Middle Valley Deer Processing. The church hosts a number of hunger relief programs, including a food pantry and free meals for children of low-income families.