Nearly 10% of Boone County, Kentucky’s population is unsure if they have enough funds to put food on the table consistently for themselves and their family.  The county is also ranked third in the state vehicle accidents caused by deer.  Although seemly unrelated, these two issues formulated an idea with Boone County Extension’s Environmental and Agriculture agents.  Boone County Extension partnered with KY Hunters for the Hungry, Glier’s Meats and University of Kentucky/KY Fish and Wildlife’s Cook Wild program and Master Provisions to launch a “Set Your Sights to End Hunger” campaign to encourage local hunters to donate a 2020 harvested white tailed deer to those in need.

Roles of Partners:

• Boone County Environmental and Agriculture Agents – Brand and market a KY Hunters for the Hungry campaign for Boone County.  Coordinate harvested deer drop off, meat pick-up and drop off to local food bank Master Provisions, attach six nutritious Cook Wild recipes to 2lb rolls of deer ground.

• KY Hunters for the Hungry – Help promote local campaign and assist with USDA processing options for the harvested deer.

• Glier’s Meats – Accept donated deer and processed them into 2lb ground rolls.

• Master Provisions – Distribute deer ground to local, needy families.

• University of Kentucky/KY Fish and Wildlife Cook Wild – Recipes were placed on deer ground to help families understand how to cook wild game as a nutritious meal.

A total of 8 deer were donated to the program and processed by Glier’s Meats; these 8 deer totaled 217 packages or 434 pounds of meat and provided approximately 1,344 meals for families that are food insecure. 

One of the program participants said, “I have always wanted to donate, every year I tell myself ‘if’ I harvest a third deer I would donate it. I never have gotten a third deer! Then while taking my second deer to the processors yesterday- something told me- Rob, donate this one…So I did, one deer will supply about 140 meals to someone in need. Bon Appetit my friends!” 

Additionally, this program encouraged hunters to harvest more deer than they normally would take which reduced the deer population that contribute to the motor vehicle accidents in Boone County. This in turn increased driver safety on Boone County roadways decreasing the 1 in 100 chance of a driver hitting a deer while travelling in the county. Since the deer population is the largest contributing factor to crop damage in Boone County as well, this reduction in the deer population aided in the increase of crop yields which increased the profits and economic viability for county farmers and residents.