Submitted by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources

SOCIAL CIRCLE — For the past 15 years, hunters across the state have been bringing meat to the tables of those in need through the Georgia Hunters for the Hungry program. This successful program celebrated serving its one-millionth meal in 2007 and provides numerous opportunities for hunters to share their harvest with those in need. This year, hunters can donate deer at 10 participating processors beginning Sept. 13 and continuing through Jan. 15.

“The Georgia Hunters for the Hungry program is one opportunity for hunters to demonstrate their generosity by sharing their harvest with those in need,” says John Bowers, Wildlife Resources Division Assistant Chief of Game Management. “The Division is proud to be a cooperator in this public-private partnership and to work with the many partners who make it possible each year.”

Wildlife Resources, along with the Georgia Department of Corrections, Georgia Department of Agriculture, Georgia Wildlife Federation and the Georgia State Association of Food Banks, sponsors the program. Thanks to these partners, the efforts of Georgia hunters and participating meat processors, last year nearly 29,000 pounds of venison were collected, processed and distributed to food banks across the state. This meat provided more than 143,000 meals for needy Georgians.

Hunters interested in participating in GHFTH should bring field-dressed deer to any of the drop-off locations listed below. All hunters who donate a deer during this collection period will be entered into a drawing for a deer rifle, sponsored by the Georgia Wildlife Federation.

The following locations will accept deer from Sept. 13, 2008 - Jan. 15, 2009, during business hours:

• Axson - Lee’s Deer & Meat Processing (912) 422-3079

• Baldwin - JJ’s Deer Processing (706) 776-2819

• Canton - Mitch’s Archery & Deer Cooler (770) 479-7004

• Columbus - Daffin’s Meat Processing (706) 322-8848

• Dawson - Mossey Creek Outdoors (229) 995-4109

• Irwinton - Starley’s Deer Processing (478) 946-8976

• Jefferson - Sealy’s Deer Cooler (706) 335-9304