New venison program connects local donors with local receivers
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ALPENA – The Alpena-Montmorency Conservation District (AMCD) is offering the Hunter Harvest program now through March 31 in a pioneering effort to connect the residents of Lower Northeast Michigan with fresh venison harvested locally. AMCD is working with local donors and receivers to aid food salvage efforts like the DNR's Hunters Feeding Michigan program. Venison donated to our program will be processed locally, instead of being sent downstate for redistribution in food banks there. We want to help local people to have access to deer harvested in this area.
Hunters and farmers wishing to donate to the Hunter Harvest program may take mature antlerless deer to our participating processors within 24 hours of the kill. We ask that hunters use non-lead ammunition, follow all DNR hunting regulations, and avoid gut shots and fawns. When donating an animal, please be sure to tell the processor you want to donate to the Hunter Harvest program.
· M-32 Processing, 4626 M-32, Atlanta, MI 49709.
989-733-0058. Open Mon – Sat 9 a.m. – 5 p.m..
· Northern Deer & Livestock, 230 Progress St, Hillman, MI 49746
989-464-5330. Open Mon – Sat 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., Sun 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
AMCD is coordinating incentives from area businesses to raffle to each donating hunter and will recognize contributing businesses as sponsors on our social media, website, and newsletter.
Receivers will pay a flat rate of $135 for processing only. Residents of Alpena and Montmorency Counties may sign up with AMCD to receive donated venison by calling Admin / Communications Associate Emily Frechette at 989-590-6649 or emily.frechette@macd.org, or by completing the form on our website at https://www.alpenamontcd.store/hunter-harvest. Emily will send receivers an agreement to sign and distribution of donated venison will occur on a first-come, first-served basis. Processors will work with each receiver to cut the meat to order.
For more information, contact the Alpena-Montmorency Conservation District office at 989-356-3596-3508.