Deer processing shops aid in venison donation
The program says the goal of an average hunting season is to channel about 100,000 pounds of processed venison through the state’s food banks.
The program says the goal of an average hunting season is to channel about 100,000 pounds of processed venison through the state’s food banks.
The program says the goal of an average hunting season is to channel about 100,000 pounds of processed venison through the state’s food banks.
Pennsylvania's woods have been full of tens of thousands of hunters this week. The state's firearms deer season kicked off on Saturday and runs through Dec. 10 with the exception of this Saturday, Dec. 4.
According to the National Deer Association, between 2011 and 2020, Pennsylvania ranked second in the nation three times for buck harvest per square.
Area shops like Doug Peffer's Deer Cutting and Smokehouse have been inundated with customers. On Monday night, they had to stop taking fresh deer because they don't have the capacity or storage. They are hoping to resume taking fresh deer this weekend.
"It is just too much at one time," said Jonathan Peffer. "If there was a gradual progression of the deer, we could skin cut and catch up and make the room in our cooler."
Traditionally, the Monday after Thanksgiving is the start of deer season. But for the past few years, that season was moved to a Saturday start. The Game Commission says it gives hunters extra time. Processing shops say they are trying their best to keep up with the demand.
"It is truly a dirty job and it's what we call a dying art but it is way of life. It's a part of our culture as a family," said Peffer. "We're one of the last surviving processors and that's because of our great employees and our family legacy. "
Their legacy also includes giving back. Peffer's is one of many area shops that take part in a program called Hunters Sharing the Harvest. A hunter can donate his or her deer free of charge and the participating shop will then process the meat and that meat will be donated to area food banks. Peffer and his shop have donated over 4,000 pounds of fresh ground venison in the last two years alone.
"When a hunter donates a deer, they can count on the fact that they are going to feed a neighbor that they don't know," said Randy Ferguson, executive director of HSH.
Ferguson says the goal of an average hunting season is to channel about 100,000 pounds of processed venison through the state’s food banks. He says to date, HSH has coordinated the donation of about 2 million pounds of venison from Pennsylvania hunters.
The program was created in 1991. Since then many other states have adopted similar programs and initiatives.