GUNNISON — — Hunters in the Gunnison Basin are putting meat on low-income tables this holiday season through an innovative big-game donation program.
Ranchers and Sportsmen Together for the Hungry, founded last year by Gunnison County resident Allen Moores, solicits donations of deer and elk and an occasional moose, has it ground, and turns it over to churches and food banks.
The Division of Wildlife participates by making extra hunting tags available in an area that is currently overpopulated by elk. The towns of Crested Butte and Gunnison, Gunnison County and the Gunnison Stockgrowers Assn. contribute to help with the cost of processing the meat.
Last year, more than 400 households received wild game meat from five donated elk, one deer and one moose.
“It’s been a tremendous help. People love the elk meat,” said Ruthie Long at the Gunnison Country Food Pantry.
Moores is seeking more meat from hunters. So far, only two deer and two elk have been donated to the program in a year when the demand has risen. Hunting seasons run through the end of this month.
“We’ve had people call who are joyous to have meat,” Moores said. “Maybe this allows them to buy a Christmas present.”
Nancy Lofholm: 970-256-1957 or nlofholm@denverpost.com
