Apparently, Washington D.C. is suffering from an over-population of deer. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has teamed with wildlife experts with a plan to decrease the population from 55 deer per square mile, down to 15-20 per square mile. According to an article I read, the deer pose a threat to native vegetation {not to mention the threat of car accidents as they spring across the busy roads}.
In an effort not to waste the meat resulting in killing off the deer, Rock Creek Park {where the deer are most densely populated} will salvage it and donate it to shelters and schools. The meat is lean, free-range high quality protein that will actually serve a much needed purpose for the hungry. While 55 deer per square mile doesn’t sound like a lot to me {but what do I know} I do like the fact that the meat goes to feeding hungry families–and not junk, but quality protein. I happen to like venison {which I was first introduced to by Chino the Handyman who hunts}.
To date, about 3300 lbs of meat have been ground and donated. I thought this was a unique way to make the most of the problem…and wanted to share it, you know, as “food” for thought.
~Mavis
Dale says
It is amazing what an over population of deer can do to the local enviroment. Resopnsible harvesting (Hunting) is the only way to keep it in check. Over population is also bad for the deer as they quickly over graze the area and starvation sets in. Not to mention the destruction caused by hungry deer invading backyards and getting crunched by traffic.I’m glad they are supporting the local food banks with all the excess meat. Merry Christmas!
Judy T says
In PA. they used to take the deer that were crunched by traffic to the prisons to feed the inmates until someone protested that they weren’t getting USDA inspected meat. So it had to stop. I’m glad they have found a use for it in DC.
Heidi says
I wish they would do that here!
Emily says
We have a huge axis deer problem here on Maui. If anybody has any ideas of how to get around the USDA issue, I’d love to hear it. It seems to vary state by state, weather or not you can donate der meat because it hasn’t been USDA inspected.
Pam says
Deer population in my area has been out of control for years. This was the first year I could do any hunting. My daughter and I went out on a Sunday morning and she had a buck in less than 10 minutes. As we were dragging it out of the trees, a second buck walked up (no kidding – walked up) toward us. So I had my buck. 2 bucks, 20 minutes, 180 pounds of venison in the freezer. We tried to donate some (we had it processed by a local professional processor) but, like Emily pointed out, since it wasn’t USDA inspected, we were not allowed to do so.
Leslie says
What a great solution!
Mary says
Well, in upstate NY our deer (especially the fawns) have been killed by coyote’s. Not only do we have coyote’s, but in some areas they have over-hunted the deer. We do not have a problem of over population!
Carol says
Oh, deer! They are such a nuisance, where I live! People in my town have to build fences to keep them from chomping on most everything, even the plants that are so called, “deer resistant.” If they only would just graze on grass, but they don’t eat the lawn–only my berry plants and veggies, when they find a way to get in, along with my favorite perenials and annuals. They are so accustomed to humans, that it takes an effort to drive them off the property. We don’t have natural predators on the city limits and of course, hunting isn’t allowed. The only thing that seems to work to keep them off limited areas along with high fencing is a sprinkler with a motion sensor.
Daisy says
We don’t think much about it here, but Lyme is a big problem on the East coast.