Alva Review-Courier -

The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation's "Hunters Against Hunger" program is a way the state's deer hunters can donate meat to local food banks.

The program has been around since 2002, but now the Wildlife Department has a new initiative to connect hunters directly with people who would like a deer.

Through its "Deer Share" page on wildlifedepartment.com, hunters who are willing to give away a deer or deer meat can sign up and leave their names, phone number or email, and county where they live to be contacted.

Anyone wanting a deer can check the list and call or email a hunter who lives near them about possibly getting a deer. Some people who do not hunt or might not be able to hunt would still like the meat, said Micah Holmes, assistant chief of the information and education division for the Wildlife Department.

In addition to helping your neighbor, the initiative is part of the agency's effort to encourage hunters to shoot more does, Holmes said.

"Doe harvest is an important tool to (deer) management," he said. "Take a doe and give it away to somebody who could use it."

Deer gun season remains open through Dec. 6. The holiday antlerless gun season is Dec. 18 through Dec. 31. Archery deer season is open through Jan. 15.