By Doug Fletcher,Staff Writer

It’s a tradition that dates back to the time when people lived in caves: Hunters get lucky, harvest a game animal, then feed members of their community.

This year, with high oil prices possibly pushing some people to decide between filling their bellies and staying warm, the tradition is more important than ever, says Sandra Hosmer.

Hosmer is the chairwoman of the Humanitarian Services Committee of the Safari Club International’s Maine Chapter. She says the Safari Club has been soliciting contributions of game meat in Maine since 1989. The meat is given to charities, soup kitchens and food banks to augment what they can offer to their clients.

Safari International picked up on the charitable effort three years ago, creating its Sportsmen Against Hunger program.

Low in fat, cholesterol

Hosmer notes that game meat is an excellent source of protein. It’s low in fat, low in cholesterol and has no additives, steroids, growth hormones or antibiotics.

She compares it to organic, free-range meats that typically command higher prices per pound than domestic meats.

The program works like this:

A hunter bags a game animal – a deer, moose or bear. He or she takes the animal to a meat processor participating in the program. There’s a network of meat processors who are approved by the state departments of Agriculture and of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, and linked to local charities.

When hunters arrive to collect their own cuts and wrapped game meat, the processor will ask if they want to donate any of the meat to the neighborhood food pantry or soup kitchen.

“Most people are willing to give a pound or two,” says Hosmer. The meat cutter then puts the packages aside and calls the charity to collect them.

Hosmer said sporting groups such as rod and gun clubs are another source of meat for charities. Clubs often hold an event and ask members to donate some of their game if they were successful during the past season.

For example, the Durham Rod & Gun Club has collected game meat at its Christmas party, then donated it to the Lisbon Area Christian Outreach program, said Hosmer.

She added that the number of meat cutters taking part in the program has reached 25, and they’re found from Fort Kent in the north to Harpswell and Minot in the south.

Local Sportsmen Against Hunger participants include Thibeault’s in Harpswell, R&B Meats in Livermore, and Trophies Unlimited and Harris Custom Cutting, both in Minot.

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