Syracuse.com - Deer hide and venison donations from hunters down in CNY compared to last year

[HuntingNY-News]

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"It was probably a combination of things," Maraio said.

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<p><br />There was a drop in the number of donated deer hides and venison by hunters from the fall deer hunting season, according to two Central New York groups that benefit from the donations.</p>

<p>The Camillus Elks Club has been accepting deer hides for the past 14 years, said Bob Maraio, a club member who is in charge of the effort. Last year, the club took in nearly 400 hides. This year, the total was 325, he said.</p>

<p>"It was probably a combination of things," Maraio said. "There were most likely less hunters out and the weather (wasn't real good) this fall for hunting."</p>

<p>The hides were cleaned and salted by members of the club and most have since been sold to a tannery. Maraio estimates the club will make about $2,500, which all be used to buy incidentals for the disabled or sick veterans at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Syracuse.</p>

<p>The total weight of donated vension from the greater Central New York area was down about 400 pounds compared to the 2012 hunting seaon, according to Heather Hudson, direcgtor of food sourcing and nutrition for the Central New York Food Bank.</p>

<p>Hudson said the CNY Food Bank received venison from hunters who used cooperating meat processors in Lowville, Oswego, Homer, East Syracuse, Kirkville and Moravia. The venison was ground up into tubes of hamburger and distributed to food pantries in the Food Bank's 11-county coverage area.</p>

<p>"There's nothing left. It goes out quickly," Hudson said. "Our programs love it. Lots of them look for it as soon as the deer hunting season starts."</p>

<p>The Affiliated Conservation Clubs of Madison County collecting deer hides this year for the first time.</p>

<p>Club member Steve Wratten said members anticipated collecting 100 hides and ended up getting 130. Not all hides are sold yet, but Wratten figures the club will take in "around $1,000," which will used to help pay for the club's various activities.</p>

<p>"It was a success. We learned a little bit. With a little more advertising, we hope to do better next year," he said.<br /></p>

View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog