I didn’t elaborate on the goose story, but perhaps that’s a column in and of itself. The geese that they’re finding in parks and killing are often tested and found to have very high levels of PCB’s in their fat. PCB’s are the bad things in Lake Michigan fish and they are why we are not supposed to eat Lake Michigan fish more than once a week.

Paul’s Pantry in Green Bay has a great reputation as a pantry. But I’ve seen the research that Hunger Task Force based its decision on and I think they’re on solid ground.

That being said, the concept of Hunt for the Hungry is sound. I’m just uncomfortable with the idea that the prions might be transferred to humans.

This program you refer to is the separate program for donated deer taken in the CWD Zones. These processors will have the deer tested for CWD and only CWD negative deer will be processed for pantries. Hunters donating deer from the CWD Zones MUST take the deer to one of these processors who will have the deer tested for CWD.

I emphasize, only deer that test negative can be processed for pantries. Also, it is worthy to note that there is not a single shred of evidence that CWD is transmissable to humans.

Likewise, can you produce some evidence from DATCP or another source that proves that geese are “toxic”?

Since the fall hunting season of 2000, hunters have donated over 35,000 deer which have provided over one million pounds of ground venison to needy families. A large network of volunteers including sports groups, church groups, civic organizations and food pantry staff work together to distribute the meat from the processor to the food pantries. USDA – Wildlife Services staff, Dept. of Natural Resources staff and county wildlife damage staff also help administer the program.

Hunt For The Hungry, headed by Lee Dudek of northeast Wisconsin is also a strong partner in the Wisconsin Deer Donation 2006 program. Their results are pretty impressive:

Number of Donated Deer for 2006 = 2,350. Plus 70,700 pounds of packaged wild game, birds and fish. Total pounds from all donations = 176,450 as of January 8, 2007.

I have supported HTF financially for many years because they serve a valuable niche. However, my personal observation is that their refusal to accept donated venison is likely rooted in regional cultural differences. Paul’s Pantry in Green Bay has to restrict the amount of venison its clients can have on a weekly basis because it is in such high demand. Go figure.