Joe Manchin III, Governor

Frank Jezioro, Director

News Release : October 6, 2006

Hoy Murphy, Public Information Officer (304) 558-3381 hoymurphy@wvdnr.gov

Contact: Curtis Taylor , Wildlife Resources Section Chief (304) 558-2771 wildlife@wvdnr.gov

Try Venison for a Low-Fat Alternative to Beef

As hunters take to the field for West Virginia’s annual deer hunting seasons, their freezers will soon be filled with an ample amount of deer (venison) harvested from around the Mountain State. “Many West Virginia families supplement their diet with nutritious venison harvested in West Virginia,” according to Curtis I. Taylor, Chief of the Division of Natural Resources Wildlife Resources Section. “Venison is a healthy low-fat alternative to beef.” Venison has fewer calories and nearly five times less fat than an equivalent serving of beef.

Hunters are not the only West Virginians who benefit from deer harvested in the state. The Wildlife Resources Section sponsors the Hunters Helping the Hungry Program (HHH) which provides deer meat for low-income families. Since its inception in 1992, hunter-donated venison has provided more than 720,000 meals for needy West Virginians.

For more information about the HHH program or deer hunting seasons and regulations, consult the 2006-2007 West Virginia Hunting and Trapping Regulations booklet available at all DNR offices and license agents or visit the DNR Web site at www.wvdnr.gov.