To tackle hunger and manage wildlife in Michigan, State Rep. Cam Cavitt announced a proposal for state funding to bolster the Michigan Sportsmen Against Hunger (MSAH) program. This initiative aims to both feed those in need and address the overpopulation of deer in the region. Cavitt plans to request funding in the 2025 state budget with a focus on supporting Michigan hunters and processors who donate excess venison to the hungry.
According to WWJ, the program has reportedly donated around 1.1 million pounds of processed venison, which has helped feed approximately 4.6 million people since its inception in 1991. However, in 2023 MSAH organizers faced significant challenges involving storage limitations and insufficient processor payments.
The invoice Cavitt is supporting tallies up to nearly $594,000. This includes $264,000 for refrigerated trailers to store deer and processed venison, $300,000 to increase payments to processors for their services, and $30,000 to cover the costs of testing for chronic wasting disease and bovine tuberculosis, Cavitt's office revealed.
"Paying processors a fair rate is vital for the program to continue, because they’re struggling with inflation just like the rest of us," Cavitt stated in a press release obtained by WGRD 97.9. "This additional funding would also allow the organization to ensure testing requirements are met and update equipment to better facilitate summer processing," he explained. The lawmaker also noted the detrimental impact of an excessive deer population on local agriculture, leading to significant financial losses for farmers.
The MSAH works cooperatively with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, leading a statutorily mandated program to distribute donated venison. As a 501c3 non-profit, it serves as an important deer management tool and has distributed over 1.1 million pounds of food since its establishment. "Whether it’s farmers with nuisance licenses or a surplus of deer during hunting season, there are always extra deer that need to be processed," Cavitt told Michigan United Conservation Clubs (MUCC), who are supportive of the initiative and were founding board members of MSAH.
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