JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) encourages deer hunters around the state to share their harvest through the state’s Share the Harvest program. Administered by MDC and the Conservation Federation of Missouri (CFM), Share the Harvest coordinates the efforts of thousands of deer hunters, about 100 participating meat processors, numerous local supporting organizations, and a handful of statewide sponsors.

The program works by deer hunters donating their extra venison — from several pounds to whole deer — to participating meat processors throughout the state who grind and package the deer meat. The packaged venison is then given to food banks and food pantries for distribution to Missourians in need of food assistance.

Processing fees are covered entirely or in part by numerous local sponsors, along with statewide sponsors that include: MDC, CFM, Shelter Insurance, Bass Pro Shops, Gateway Area Chapter of Safari Club International, Missouri Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation, Midway USA Inc., and the Missouri Food Banks Association.

Funds are available to help with processing costs when a whole deer is donated during all portions of the archery and firearms deer seasons. The Conservation Federation of Missouri reimburses processors a pre-determined amount for each whole deer donated. This allows processors to reduce processing fees to hunters. In addition, many processors have local funds available that allow deer to be processed for free or at a reduced cost. Hunters should contact individual processors to determine what funds are available. The cost of processing is the hunter’s responsibility when funds to help cover the full cost are not available.

More than 4,500 deer hunters donated more than a quarter-million pounds of venison from last season’s deer harvest. Since the program was started in 1992, Share the Harvest has provided more than 3.5 million pounds of lean, healthy venison to help feed hungry Missourians.

Find participating processors in the MDC “2016 Fall Deer & Turkey Hunting Regulations and Information” booklet available where permits are sold, online, or by calling MDC at 573-751-4115 or the Conservation Federation of Missouri at 573-634-2322.

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Workshop topics include hunter education, for both student and instructor certification. Missouri’s hunter education course is required for any hunter born on or after January 1, 1967. It is also recommended to all hunters, regardless of experience. Hunter education has a proven track record in Missouri for helping to instill hunting safety and ethics. Since it became mandatory in 1987, hunting incidents and deaths have been reduced by more than 70 percent.

The workshops also provide certification for Missouri’s National Archery in the Schools Program (MoNASP). MoNASP teaches the basics of archery as part of the school curriculum. Archery has demonstrated it can help motivate kids to attend school, increase their self-esteem and get them outdoors. It’s an activity accessible to students of almost any age or level of physical ability. Grants are even available through MoNASP to help schools acquire archery equipment.

Another workshop offers teachers the chance to become Discover Nature—Fishing instructors. MDC’s Discover Nature—Fishing Program is based on studies that show it requires multiple contacts with an activity to get someone to stick with it. Discover Nature—Fishing is a free program that consists of four progressive lessons. Each one propels newcomers one step farther through the basics of the sport, and empowers them with the knowledge to make fishing a life-long activity.

A detailed listing of each workshop is as follows:

Hunter Education Student Certification
Date: Monday, June 20, 2016
Time: 8:30-5:00
Location: Jay Henges Shooting Range and Outdoor Education Center, High Ridge

Hunter Education Instructor Certification
Date: Tuesday, June 21, 2016
Time: 8:30-5:00
Location: Jay Henges Shooting Range and Outdoor Education Center, High Ridge

MONASP Basic Archery Instructor Certification
Date: Wednesday, June 22, 2016
Time: 8:30-5:00
Location: St. Peters Catholic School Gymnasium/Parish Center, St. Charles

Discover Nature: Fishing Instructor Training
Date: Thursday, June 23, 2016
Time: 9:00-4:00
Location: August A Busch Memorial Conservation Area, St. Charles

Each workshop is free but advanced registration is required. For more information on MDC’s multi-day outdoor skills workshop for teachers, contact Outdoor Skills Specialist Scott Sarantakis, or 314-301-1506, ext. 4217.

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MDC wins regional Emmy Award for MoNASP archery ad. This spot played in select theaters before the Hunger Games movie, adding 72 new schools to our Missouri Archery in the Schools program. MDC now has 528 schools signed on with 150,000 student archers. MoNASP offers recreation for all abilities and helps build confidence. To bring MoNASP to your school, contact Eric Edwards at Eric.Edwards@mdc.mo.gov

Posted by Missouri Dept. of Conservation on Monday, October 5, 2015

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