Confiscated Game Meat Donated to Those in Need

LEWISTON - Every year, the Idaho Department of Fish and Game seizes unlawfully taken fish and wildlife that is often donated to charity organizations. After each case goes through the court system, IDFG donates the wild game meat and fish to local food banks, church groups and helping hand organizations that distribute the meat to those in need. The donations usually increase during the holiday months, allowing some to have more food on the table during Thanksgiving and Christmas. Since most major big game cases also occur in the fall and winter, much of the annual total amount of donated meat occurs this time of year. According to Regional Conservation Officer Dave Cadwallader of Lewiston, several recent wildlife violation cases involving multiple animals taken illegally have resulted in hundreds of pounds going to those in need. "One of our officers estimated that he delivered 1,300 pounds of processed deer and elk just the other day, and we have an additional 2,000 pounds to be distributed locally next week," said Cadwallader. "Several other officers across the region report similar numbers." To receive game meat, an individual must qualify as indigent and sign a waiver acknowledging that they understand that the meat is non-inspected wild game. Your local food banks are the contact for donated wild game. Fish and Game officers have investigated and solved an increasing number of violations where one hunter shoots multiple animals then attempts to hide it or uses and attaches another person's big game tag to the animal. Referred to as party hunting, this activity not only is stealing from those honest, law-abiding hunters, but it artificially inflates harvest success which is very important in setting hunting seasons. When wildlife managers observe increased harvest levels that are unhealthy for a population, they are forced to set limits on tags sold, manage by controlled hunts or eliminate the hunts entirely. The end result is the ethical, law-abiding hunter loses another opportunity. "Party hunting is illegal, and it disgusts those ethical hunters who follow the game laws," said Cadwallader. "Those true hunters out there have had enough, and many of them are contacting us to help put a stop to it."