Deer Hunters Encouraged By Officials To Shoot More Doe; Butcher Shops Ask To Donate Unwanted Meat

With so many deer killed by cars during the mating season, the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife says they're encouraging hunters to kill does too, not just bucks.

Stores like Wild Country Meats thrive this time of year.

“This is where most of the magic happens, during deer season, during rifle, this is one of the times our guys are in here, they process about 80-120 deer a day,” said store Manager Jacob Brooks.

He says the buck is usually the big prize.

“So, a lot of guys that come in, they go for bucks, they call them trophy bucks, big racks, big deer, we’ve had quite a few of them come in this year already, so a lot of people when they’re hunting, they go for that it's pretty sporty for them,” said Brooks.

Although the bucks are the ones people are going after, the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife says don’t forget the does.

Hunting is an effective tool for population control, but if you shoot one and don't want it, some butcher shops will take it off your hands.

“So this is when a deer hunter brings in a deer for Hunters Against Hunger programs, this is how we process it, this is how we package it up and this is how it goes to the local food banks,” said Brooks.

At Wild Country Meats, for just $10, hunters can have their deer processed and the meat donated. Because Brooks says it is better to control the doe population, than see them as roadkill.

“It’s that time of year that when they start moving and the bucks are chasing, they run a lot more, so that would explain why we’re seeing a lot more on the side of the road,” he said.

While hunting is for the hunter’s enjoyment, the department of wildlife says it also keeps breeding season stable and less frantic.