I have heard about donating your deer to feed the hungry which by the way is an awesome idea but, this is a new one to me. “Hides for Habitat” is a program where you can donate your deer hides which our then sold to raise money for critical wildlife habitat restoration. In my opinion that is another awesome idea that should be spread from state to state.

Hudsonites ask to help with ” Hides for Habitat “

Hudson Star Observer: Published Friday, October 26, 2007

Every year deer hunters donate millions of dollars to aid habitat and increase the health of wildlife.In particular, the Minnesota Deer Hunters Association’s “Hides for Habitat” is a statewide program that collects hides during hunting season. It then sells them to raise money for local chapters to provide critical wildlife habitat restoration.

Since 1985, more 525,000 hides have been collected at sites that include several near Hudson and more than $2.4 million has been generated to fund habitat projects. Hides are accepted from whitetail deer, mule deer, elk and moose.

A total of 85 percent of the money is returned to the local chapters for projects such as land purchases, clear cutting, prescribed burning, winter feeding, site preparation and clover planting, and 15 percent is managed by the MDHA State Habitat Committee for similar statewide projects.

“As insignificant as it may seem, this program helps restore and enhance tens of thousands of acres of wildlife habitat in Minnesota each year,” said MDHA Executive Director Mark Johnson. “Through Hides for Habitat, each hide basically triples in value as MDHA (links) with chapters, state and federal matching funds. Each hide can really make a difference for wildlife of all species across Minnesota.”

For local information about the Hides for Habitat program, visit www.mndeerhunters.com, contact the St. Croix Valley Chapter by calling Mike Dahl at 651-324-1078, or phone the MDHA State Office at (800) 450-3337.

Collection boxes will be at these area businesses during November:

Cenex Station, 4201 Manning Ave. N., Lake Elmo, Minn., (651) 777-6029;

Gary Lorence, 782 N. Third St., Bayport, Minn., (651) 439-0437;

Jimmy’s Bait, 806 S. Main St., Stillwater, Minn., (651) 430-2554;

Mike Wock, 11440 St. Croix Trail N., Stillwater, (651) 439-1808;

Bald Eagle Qik Stop, 5960 Hwy. 61 N., White Bear Township, Minn., (651) 407.8868; and

Sportsman’s Warehouse, 9895 Hudson Place, Woodbury, Minn., (651) 731.4400.For information on becoming a member of a MDHA chapter, or to help with the Hides for Habitat program, contact mikewock@yahoo.com.

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