SOUTH DAKOTA DEPT. OF GAME, FISH AND PARKS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Monday, Sept. 19, 2005
CONTACT: Jeff Olson, (605) 342-2445

PIERRE, S.D. -- South Dakota sportsmen and women can help those who are hungry by sharing their wild game via the Sportsmen Against Hunger Program.

For centuries, wildlife has fed many people, and today it can still help feed South Dakota's hungry," said Game, Fish and Parks Assistant Director of Wildlife Emmett Keyser. "The Sportsmen Against Hunger Program allows hunters to share their success with those who are less fortunate."

"The Sportsmen Against Hunger program is an excellent way to help people who are hungry in our communities," said South Dakota Sportsmen Against Hunger President Jeff Olson of Rapid City. "It's also a way to clear room in your freezer for this year's hunting season and show the public that hunting is a valuable and important part of our culture."

The program has been expanded this year to now include 34 game processors across the state. The better distribution of processor locations will make it more convenient for hunters to deliver and donate game meat. Hunters can call (800) 456-2758 to learn names and locations of local game processors and food banks that support the program. Operators are on duty 24 hours a day.

Most processors will process the animal at a reduced rate if it is for the program, but the program still needs hunters to cover the remaining processing costs. Beyond that, the meat is packaged and delivered to various types of food banks and pantries who distribute the meet to people in need. One deer will provide meat for about 180 meals.

The program continues through the end of the year, giving hunters the opportunity to donate game taken during the 2005 hunting seasons.

"I encourage hunters to acquire and fill their antlerless deer tags and donate the game to this program," Olson added. "You will help the state manage wildlife populations and, at the same time, provide a charitable service."

Safari Club International started the Sportsmen Against Hunger program more than 12 years ago, during which time it has provided meat for more than 230 million meals across the United States. In South Dakota, sportsmen have donated more than 96,000 pounds of game meat.

"This program has a real impact on the lives of everyday South Dakotans who need assistance providing healthy meals for their families," Olson said. "This is one way sportsmen can share their harvest and give back to the communities where they live."

For information about the program, contact Jeff Olson at (605) 342-2445.

For a current list of processors, visit the GFP website at www.sdgfp.info, hold the cursor over the subheading "Get Involved," then click on the link to "Sportsmen Against Hunger."

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