The Department of Natural Resources encourages deer hunters to donate all or part of their harvests to help feed the needy through the Michigan Sportsmen Against Hunger program this fall.

Last year, almost 23,000 pounds of venison was provided to local charities by hunters participating in the program through licensed venison processors.

"For more than a decade, hunters in Michigan have done an outstanding job in donating venison to help families in need in all parts of the state," said DNR Director Rebecca Humphries. "We are grateful for the support of hunters who donate venison, whether it's as little as a few pounds or the whole deer."

Donations must be made through participating processors. Hunters may drop off the entire deer - in which case, Sportsmen Against Hunger will pay for the processing - or they can donate as little as a pound of the meat they've had processed. In addition, hunters may make financial contributions to help off-set the costs of the program.

"On a local level our food banks say they are seeing up to a 40 percent increase in the need for food because of the economy," said Jane Marshall of the Food Bank Council of Michigan. "We need all the help we can get this year."

To learn more about program or for a list of participating licensed processors, visit the MSAH Web site at www.sportsmenagainsthunger.org.