(NEWTON/OLNEY) Area deer hunters are encouraged to help out this year’s Hunters Feeding Illinois program whereas harvested deer are donated to participating meat processors, who in turn provide venison meat to statewide food pantries to help families in need. Hunters in Clay, Richland, Jasper, Lawrence, Edwards, Wayne, and most of the surrounding counties are urged to help out. As hunter donate their harvested deer, the freshly ground venison will be provided to local food pantries, but only based on the amount of harvested deer donated. Others in the area can also help out with monetary donations for the meat processing cost. For each $50 donated, the Feeding Illinois program matches that to pay for the $100 processing fee. To see how folks and/or hunters can help out, go to the go.illinois.edu/HuntersFeedingIllinois website. The first four days of the Late Winter Firearm Season is tomorrow through Sunday, but only for thirty counties around the state, including Jasper, Crawford, Coles, Effingham, Fayette, Clay, Marion, Jefferson, and Hamilton. The final three days of the season will be January 16th –18th.
