| This article is reprinted without permission from The Nashua Telegraph.
Any typos are mine.
HUNTERS HELP HOMELESS AND HUNGRY, BUT CRITICS UP IN ARMS
Traverse City Mich. Hunters sharing their game with the homeless
and hungry are getting heat from animal-rights groups and health
officials willing to look a gift deer - or elk, moose or red stag -
in the mouth.
From celebrities on safari in Hawaii and Colorad to Michigan
deerstalkers, hunters nationwide are donating their kill to soup
kitchens and homeless shelters.
"Without increasing the number of animals taken we can feed all of the
nation's homeless this way," said Bob Easterbrook, a Detroit business
man leading Safari Club International's Sportsmen Against Hunger
campaign in Michigan.
Generosity aside, some warn the meat could be dangerous.
"It seems to be a step backward when we permit uninspected meat to be
served not only to the public but to the indigent," said Phil Kirkwood
with the Michigan Health Department.
Easterbrook on Wednesday countered, "The logic escapes me because
these people are presently eating out of Dumpsters and garbage cans."
Animal protection groups call the wild food drive a public relations
gimmick to make hunting look good.
"This is spin doctoring," said Wayne Pacelle, national director or
the Fund for Animals. "These individuals are spending tens of
thousands of dollars to kill rare animals. They're out to kill for
fun."
"Anybody who fights this program has never been hungry," said
Easterbrook, who is trying to expand game giveaways by persuading
the state's 735,000 deer hunters to share.
The Safari Club followed the lead of actor Kurt Russell, a hunter
who donated game from celebrity safaris in Colorado and Hawaii.
Sportsmen at a Texas hunting ranch regularly donate exotic kills to the
needy. Fallow deer, black bucks, red stag, elk and buffalo are
turned over to the local Salvation Army.
Venison, eld and moose meat is handed out at Flathead Food Bank in
Flathead County, Mont., but it doesn't always come from hunters. The
pantry is on 24-hour call with the sheriff to pick up road kill.
Giving game to food pantries is an old practice in Michigan, but it
didn't become legal until Dec 13, when Gov. James Blanchard signed a
law opening a loophole in meat inspection laws.
Michigan United Conservation Clubs defended the game giveaway.
"Venison is a very high-quality, lean source of protein. It is of
course without hormones and other additives that go into modern
meat production. So we thought it was ludicrous that the Health
Department was fearful," said spokesman Rick Jameson.
|
| You know, In Georgia, specifically Atlanta, there is a place that year
round you can donate your venison for the homeless, and I don't think
I have ever read anything from the anti's on this. If the anti's do
complain about it, tell them to go donate food to the shelter.. The
funny thing is, the anti's were probably screaming bloody murder while
they weren't even done eating that christmas turkey!!! What's the
difference? Oh well, happy new year.
bob
|