NEWS FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Farmers
Manage Deer – Turning Problems into Profits
Farmers
Manage Deer, a two-year program, which will kick off in January 2013, aims to
help farmers reduce often uninsurable crop loss caused by deer. For two weeks
during the fall 2013 deer hunting season the North Carolina Wildlife Federation
will lease land from row crop farmers and recruit sportsmen. Hunters will harvest deer according to a
property-specific plan with excess venison donated to charity. N.C. Hunters for the Hungry will process donated
deer at NCDA&CS certified facilities.
“One deer can provide an average of 160 meals,” said Guy Gardner,
manager of the Farmers Manage Deer program.
To enroll your land, to pledge volunteer support,
and/or to learn more about the NCWF Farmers Manage Deer project you are invited
to attend a Farmers Manage Deer Town Hall meeting at the Onslow County
Multipurpose Complex, 4024 Richlands Highway, Jacksonville NC 28540 on February 12th 6:00pm.
Registrar: Nita Walton, NC Coop. Ext., 910-455-5873; or contact Guy and Judy
Gardner by phone at 919 608 3386 or by e-mail to: guyandjudy@ncwf.org.
“This
grant is a wise use of funding,” said State Sen. Harry Brown, R-Onslow. “This
statewide program helps so many people by aiding farmers and agriculture as
well as the local community.”
“Deer
are the chief culprits in causing an estimated $29.4 million in damage to North
Carolina crops” stated Steven Troxler, Commissioner, North Carolina Department
of Agriculture in his letter of support to this project.
Pending
the success of the project, William Upchurch, executive director of the North
Carolina Tobacco Trust Fund Commission, hopes the program can serve as a model
that can be applied to other crops and other areas that may be experiencing
deer overpopulation.
“This is a positive opportunity to get local
civic-minded groups involved as well.” said Guy and Judy Gardner, managers of
this program. Hosting a drop-off site,
transporting venison to the processor, and funding the processing costs of deer
donated are examples of how the community can get involved.
The North Carolina Wildlife Federation is a nonprofit
conservation organization dedicated to all NC wildlife and its habitat since
1945. www.ncwf.org
