Sports

It’s all over but the counting

By Dick Nelson

Hudson-Catskill Newspapers

I don’t know about you, but regardless of how this year’s election turns out, I’m certainly glad it’s over.

That’s not entirely true, considering our guns are at stake. But for more than two years we had to listen to the ramblings of presidential candidates - first through their respective primaries, then throughout the race itself.

We won’t know who the declared winner is until later tonight, but even then they’ll be cries of voter fraud, and we’ll have to listen to that discourse for another six months, if not longer.

By that time New York’s big game hunting season will have opened and closed, and we’ll be awaiting the results of the kill.

The regular firearms season opens on November 15th, and for many New Yorker’s, the opening represents a traditional opportunity to get together with family and friends, enjoy our bountiful resources and put meat in the freezer.

Early indications suggest that an abundant, healthy deer population is providing excellent opportunities for bowhunters, and that is expected to continue through the gunning season.

That means a lot of tasty venison will be passed across the dinner table, and in the sprit of sportsmanship, successful hunters can help the less fortunate by sharing their harvest through the "Hunters Helping the Hungry" (HHH) program.

While numerous groups have taken credit for establishing the program, its origin dates back to the late 1980’s, when Putting People First, a grassroots organization -- established to counterbalance the animal rights movement that was gaining momentum nationwide -- developed a program to help eliminate hunger across America.

While other states, accepted the practice without question, it took an act of legislation for New York to approve the program when the state Department of Agriculture and Markets determined the practice violat?ed provisions in its "slaughter" clause.

Signed into law in 1993 by then Gov. Mario Cuomo, HHH has developed into a very refined support service for organizations that assist the needy.

Using a unique network of local volunteer area coordinators and cooperating meat processors to process and distribute venison donated by hunters, HHH has really helped to make a difference for countless needy families and individuals throughout the county and state.

In 2007, hunters provided more than 500,000 meals to food banks, churches and social services feeding programs statewide, but given the failed economy, and the number of people who lost jobs and life savings, food banks are in need of donations now more than ever.

For this reason, hunters who are successful in the upcoming deer hunting season are urged to participate in the program.

“Big game hunters who participate in this extremely beneficial program should be proud of the role they play. HHH truly does make a tremendous difference. We encourage all deer hunters to participate in this program and also encourage all local deer processors to become involved,” said Columbia County Sportsmen’s Federation president Don LaValley.

“This program is all about the generosity of hunters and their desire to help make a difference,” said Walt Bennett, program coordinator for the Greene County Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs. “It’s a program that many hunters have become committed to and enjoy supporting. After all, what is more gratifying than providing needed food to families?”

As part of the program, hunters are encouraged to take a deer to a participating meat processor and identify how much of their deer meat - from an entire deer to several pounds - that is to be donated to HHH.

Because donated deer must by law be professionally processed before they can be distributed, both the Columbia County Sportsmen’s Federation and the Greene County Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs coordinate programs where tagged and properly field dressed deer can be taken to participating processors at no cost to the donor.

The processed venison is stored, then picked up and distributed through various food banks in their respective counties.

For a list of the nearest processors in Columbia County call LaValley at 518-828-0955. In Greene County call Bennett at 518-239-6569.

If you plan to donate some venison on your own, each package (stew and ground meat are the preferred cuts) must be marked, “Venison, Not for Sale,” and contain the hunters big game license number, name and address of the processor and date of processing.

News and Notes: Sturm, Ruger & Co. recently announced a recall of its Ruger.380 LCP pistols bearing serial prefix "370" (serial 370-xxxxx). This safety recall is in response to a small number of reports that LCP pistols can fire when dropped onto a hard surface with a round in the chamber. Ruger will install the new hammer mechanism, plus some other functional upgrades that have been added since the LCP's introduction, at no charge to the consumer and the pistol will be returned at Ruger expense. In addition, all owners will receive a free LCP magazine with the new finger grip extension as a "thank you" for their patience and cooperation.

Meanwhile Ruger is advising all LCP owners not to carry the pistol with a round in the chamber. For more information on the recall call 1-800-784-3701, or log onto LCPrecall@ruger.com .

Dropping anchor ‘til next time.

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