On September 1, Nebraska’s Hunters Helping the Hungry (HHH) program kicked off its 5th year of operations and began accepting game meat donations from local hunters. HHH was established by the Nebraska legislature in 2012 through the efforts of the Nebraska Legislative Sportsmen’s Forum and the Nebraska Sportsmen’s Foundation and provides ground venison to Nebraskans in need.
Hunters are able to donate whole field-dressed deer at participating meat processors. The processed venison is then given to participating food pantries and other charitable organizations who distribute the ground venison across the state.
Hunters Helping the Hungry is funded entirely through voluntary donations. In addition to donating game, hunters can add a monetary contribution to the program when purchasing a hunting license or permit. Monetary donations are also accepted online through the Nebraska Game & Parks Commission gift catalog, and checks can be mailed to the Nebraska Game & Parks Commission.
In 2015, 437 hunters donated 501 deer through Hunters Helping the Hungry. These donations provided over 23,000 pounds of venison for Nebraskans in need. Since its inception, Nebraska’s HHH program has provided more than 70,000 pounds of venison.
Studies conducted at both the state and federal level have found that the number of hunters and trappers have been on a generally declining trend over the past several decades. To increase recruitment, retention, and reactivation (R3) of hunters and trappers, which initiative do you think would have the greatest impact?
