SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia’s abundance of wildlife and hunting seasons provide opportunities for many families to fill their freezers with highly nutritious wild game. They’re also a way to help other families through the Hunters Helping the Hungry (HHH) program. This WVDNR-sponsored program processes deer for families and individuals in need throughout the Mountain State.

Since the program’s inception in 1992, approximately 1,046,697 pounds of venison have been donated. In 2020 alone, 500 deer (20,104 pounds of nutritious venison) were donated to the HHH program.

Wild game provides a low-fat, high-protein alternative to beef or other commercial meats. For example, white-tailed deer (venison) contains fewer calories and approximately five times less fat than the equivalent serving of beef.

“Hunting is a great reason to get into the woods, stretch your legs and may result in a freezer full of healthy protein,” said Kaylee Pollander, wildlife biologist for the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (WVDNR). “With the diversity of game available for legal harvest, there is something for everyone’s taste.”

For more information about the HHH program, visit the WVDNR website at wvdnr.gov or call the district office in French Creek at 304-924-6211. More information about West Virginia’s hunting seasons can also be found online at wvdnr.gov/hunting.