When the honorable Jesse Johnson, my skillful, highly-qualified editor (obvious kiss-up), asked if I could get my Weekly Mistake to him a little early this week because of the Christmas holiday, I suggested, “What if I write 'short', but send extra photos?”
He agreed, so if room allows, there should be pictures of several youngsters accompanying this column. After all, you folks have responded overwhelmingly to my usual closing request that “old folks” like me should, “Take a kid huntin' or fishin' … every time you can.”
One thing about it, though. All the photos seem to have come from my Purvis/Lamar County readers, so I guess I'll just have to do more campaigning in Forrest and surrounding counties. For now, though, I'd better climb down off my high horse and get to business.
Hunter's Harvest
With our deer season here in Mississippi at about its two-thirds point, along with the Christmas and giving season at hand, the Mississippi Wildlife Federation's Hunter's Harvest Program has begun, allowing hunters to share their good fortunes with the Magnolia State's needy families.
“The Hunter's Harvest program takes care of the underprivileged across the state with healthy and nourishing meat during the winter months,” said a spokesman for the Federation. “It is estimated that some 400,000 Mississippians, including more than 93,000 children, live below the federal poverty level and receive emergency food each year.”
Donated venison supplies much-needed protein that is often lacking in the diets of the underprivileged, says the Federation. The Hunter's Harvest program works with hunters across the state to put nutritious food in the bellies of the less fortunate.
“Every pound of venison donated to the program provides four meals for needy Mississippians,” said Charles H. Beady, Jr., chief executive officer of the Mississippi Food Network, the organization responsible for distributing the venison donated by you, the hunters of Mississippi.
For more information and locations of the more than 30 collection places for your venison donations, contact the Mississippi Wildlife Federation.
If you collect more venison than you'll need, please think of the less fortunate, especially this time of year – the time for giving. Get out and collect a nice deer to help feed the needy. And when you go, try to take a kid with you … every time you can.
PineBeltNews outdoor writer Phil DiFatta may be reached by text at (601) 596-4475.
