Gov. seeks $1 increase for hunting licenses
Posted: Tue Sep 09, 2003 9:58 am
From the Clarion Ledger
Voluntary hike on permits would help feed the needy
By Patrice Sawyer
psawyer@clarionledger.com
Gov. Ronnie Musgrove proposed Monday a voluntary $1 check-off on hunting and fishing licenses to pay for the processing, storage and distribution of donated game to feed the needy.
Network facts
Program serves 82,000 Mississippians, nearly half children and a third senior citizens.
The program, in partnership with the Mississippi Food Network, is an effort to revitalize the Mississippi Sportsmen Against Hunger initiative, which donates thousands of pounds of venison to the needy annually.
Musgrove, a Democrat, made his announcement in the warehouse of the Mississippi Food Network, saying he would introduce legislation for the fee, if elected to a second term. He faces Republican Haley Barbour in the Nov. 4 general election.
Mississippi Food Network Executive Director John Alford said any help is appreciated in the wake of job cuts, a reduction in federal funds and fewer donations from food manufacturers. "We're serving more people now than ever before in the 12 years I've been here," Alford said.
Mississippi has a higher percentage of its population living in poverty — 19.9 percent — than any other state, according to the American Community Survey released by the Census Bureau last week. The national average is 12.4 percent.
Dressed in jeans and a tan shirt with camouflage patchwork, Musgrove said there were times growing up that his family didn't know where its next meal was coming from. "I know firsthand the worry and fear hunger can put in a family," he said.
Musgrove gave a $1,000 check from his campaign fund to the Mississippi Food Network to kick off the initiative. He donated the same amount in 1999.
The cost to process ground deer meat can range from 59 to 89 cents a pound.
Logan Russell, president of Mississippi Sportsmen Against Hunger, donated 1,000 pounds of deer meat Monday. He said the organization, which has existed since 1992, hasn't been as vigilant in encouraging hunters to donate game since the death of the head of the group, Jim Nickels, in 1998.
George Hewes, executive director of Stewpot Community Services, said deer meat has been donated to the food pantry in the past. He likes the idea of the check-off program. "Anything that will loosen the purse strings will be welcomed," he said.
Voluntary hike on permits would help feed the needy
By Patrice Sawyer
psawyer@clarionledger.com
Gov. Ronnie Musgrove proposed Monday a voluntary $1 check-off on hunting and fishing licenses to pay for the processing, storage and distribution of donated game to feed the needy.
Network facts
Program serves 82,000 Mississippians, nearly half children and a third senior citizens.
The program, in partnership with the Mississippi Food Network, is an effort to revitalize the Mississippi Sportsmen Against Hunger initiative, which donates thousands of pounds of venison to the needy annually.
Musgrove, a Democrat, made his announcement in the warehouse of the Mississippi Food Network, saying he would introduce legislation for the fee, if elected to a second term. He faces Republican Haley Barbour in the Nov. 4 general election.
Mississippi Food Network Executive Director John Alford said any help is appreciated in the wake of job cuts, a reduction in federal funds and fewer donations from food manufacturers. "We're serving more people now than ever before in the 12 years I've been here," Alford said.
Mississippi has a higher percentage of its population living in poverty — 19.9 percent — than any other state, according to the American Community Survey released by the Census Bureau last week. The national average is 12.4 percent.
Dressed in jeans and a tan shirt with camouflage patchwork, Musgrove said there were times growing up that his family didn't know where its next meal was coming from. "I know firsthand the worry and fear hunger can put in a family," he said.
Musgrove gave a $1,000 check from his campaign fund to the Mississippi Food Network to kick off the initiative. He donated the same amount in 1999.
The cost to process ground deer meat can range from 59 to 89 cents a pound.
Logan Russell, president of Mississippi Sportsmen Against Hunger, donated 1,000 pounds of deer meat Monday. He said the organization, which has existed since 1992, hasn't been as vigilant in encouraging hunters to donate game since the death of the head of the group, Jim Nickels, in 1998.
George Hewes, executive director of Stewpot Community Services, said deer meat has been donated to the food pantry in the past. He likes the idea of the check-off program. "Anything that will loosen the purse strings will be welcomed," he said.
I say it should be nipped in the bud now. It seems to be working now, somehow, let it continue as is.