Many deer hunters in Maryland and Virginia are enjoying a successful season this year even with some challenging weather conditions. The tradition of deer hunting continues to provide a two-fold benefit as a premiere outdoor recreation sport and a source of tasty and nutritious food. Venison graces the table of many families and is often recognized as a favored dish. It is a regular main course for our family, several times a week. Those who enjoy a successful deer hunt can count on several cuts of meat including tenderloin, steaks, ground meat and with the right expertise, even link sausage. There is a segment of the Maryland-Virginia population who can especially benefit from the results of successful deer harvests. Those people are the hungry, undernourished and financially destitute members of the region’s population who are unable to provide routine nourishment.

     Two organizations, “Hunters for the Hungry” in Virginia and “Farmers and Hunters Feeding the Hungry” (FHFH) in Maryland provide a connection in this regard. Through these two organizations, deer hunters work with businesses who accept donated deer which have been field dressed. An efficient network of collection centers and meat processors cut, prepare and wrap the venison which is then distributed to food banks, outreach centers, social services contacts and local volunteers who can identify those in need. Help can be provided by the non-hunter as well. Hunters for the Hungry notes that each $30.00 donation will process one deer and provide 50 pounds of food. Tax deductible donations of any amount for the Virginia program can be sent to Hunters for the Hungry, P.O. Box 304, Big Island, VA 24526. Donations for the FHFH Program in Maryland can be mailed to, Farmers and Hunters Feeding the Hungry, 216 North Cleveland Ave, Hagerstown, MD 21740. For phone information, call the Virginia Program at 800-352-4868 and in Maryland at (301)-739-3000. The Hunters for the Hungry website is located at www.h4hungry.org “E” mail can be directed to staff@h4hungry.org . The FHFH website for Maryland inquiries is www.fhfh.org . email should be directed to josh@fhfh.org . 

     Outdoor enthusiasts should take time in December and visit the "Laurel Grove Tract" addition to the Rappahannock River Valley Refuge System. Libby Norris of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) notes that on December 19, the public is invited to see this new land as it becomes part of an important refuge initiative designed to protect and secure one of Virginia’s most precious resources. CBF has worked with many partners to restore and return to forest, riparian buffer and wetlands 205 acres of the 460 acre property, located on Farnham Creek in Richmond County, Virginia. Phases of completion as noted by Norris include, 150-acres of hardwood seedlings planted in the Spring 2003, a 50-acre wetland restoration completed in November 2003, an "Acorns to Acres" project which directs an acorn seeding pilot project being installed in December of 2003, and a public celebration to plant trees on the final acre of the Laurel Grove Tract project on Friday, December 19, 2003. There is no charge for attending the December 19 event, but CBF asks that you “RSVP” on or before December 15. Contact Libby Norris at (804) 780-1392 or via “E” mail at; Lnorris@cbf.org The CBF website can be accessed via www.cbf.org 

© 2003 Steve & Chelly Scala All Rights Reserved

Photo Credit:
Brian Steinwand caught this big Rockfish trolling in late November at Buoy 65 in the Chesapeake Bay aboard the charter boat, "Jil Carrie" with Captain Jim Brincefield.