Extra venison can help hungry families

By Kathy Thomson

General hunting season for white-tailed deer opened last Saturday, and hunters that harvest more venison than they intend to use are encouraged to donate their extra bounty to Hunters for the Hungry.

Locally, field dressed deer can be dropped off at Escalon’s Buck N Hog, along with $35 to help cover the processing fee.

“The hunter pays $35 and gets the tax write off,” said owner Patrick Escalon. “We cover the rest of the $80 processing costs.”

Escalon’s is open seven days a week, from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. during deer season.

“If they need to drop off after hours, they can call 817-614-5885 for self drop instructions,” said Escalon. “All self drops must be field dressed.” 

Venison donated at Escalon’s Buck N Hog for Hunters for the Hungry is given to local folks who need meat, according to Escalon.

“We’ve been working with Hunters for the Hungry for about 20 years,” Escalon said. “Any local church or organization that has a need can contact me, and I’ll try and get you on the list. We try to accommodate all we can.”

One deer can produce 50 pounds of meat, and hunters who do not need all the animals they harvest are encouraged to participate in Hunters for the Hungry. 

The Dallas Safari Club (DSC) has donated funds to help Hunters for the Hungry cover deer processing fees for 25 years.

According to DSC vice president David Hood, one of the primary complaints that anti-hunters have about hunting is that the animals are taken for sport or just trophies.

“This program proves the truth is opposite, when harvested animals are donated so that the meat is distributed and consumed by grateful Texans who need it,” he said.