Saint Andrews will begin a deer donation pilot project this fall, with a goal of distributing up to 450 kilograms of ground venison and stew meat to those in need.
Mayor Brad Henderson is grateful for the program because too many families are struggling to put food on the table.
“Will this solve this challenge? No. But I’ll tell you one thing, it’s an opportunity to put some protein on the table, especially with winter coming.”
The project is part of the annual nuisance deer hunt, and Henderson said designated hunters will be able to, “take it to the butcher that we have lined up. From there it will be butchered, and distributed by the food bank.”
Meantime, the Department of Natural Resources and Energy Development has compiled a manual explaining the rules and guidelines licensed hunters must follow for this program.
“Only very healthy animals will be accepted, and hunting will only be allowed on days cooler than 15 degrees. The handbook also addresses best practices for field dressing and transport,” said Natural Resources and Energy Development Minister Mike Holland in a statement.
Deer overpopulation has become a severe issue for the town, as it is not unusual to have up to 200 animals within town limits.
“As well, there’s been substantial property damage, not just to gardens, but trees, and there’s been a lot of automobile accidents in Saint Andrews over the last few years, and of course we have a high percentage of lime disease-carrying ticks in our region,” Henderson mentioned.
Henderson added, last year, 42 deer were killed within town limits as part of the nuisance hunt.
As a reminder, designated hunters can only use a bow during the deer nuisance hunt.
The program is in collaboration with the Department of Natural Resources and Energy Development, and the Department of Health.
Additional support has been provided by the Department of Agriculture, Aquaculture, and Fisheries, the Department of Justice and Public Safety, a local food bank, a licensed butcher, and local hunters.
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