(WWJ) — A Michigan lawmaker is hoping to help feed the hungry — and help with the state’s “overabundance” of deer.
Rep. Cam Cavitt, R-Cheboygan, on Wednesday announced plans to seek funding for the Michigan Sportsmen Against Hunger (MSAH) program in the upcoming 2025 state budget.
MSAH coordinates the efforts of Michigan hunters and licensed Michigan-based wild game processors to feed people in need.
Cavitt, who sits on the House Appropriations Committee and the House Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy Appropriations subcommittee, told WWJ’s Luke Sloan the program has donated an estimated 1.1 million lbs. of processed venison and helped feed an estimated 4.6 million people since it was established in 1991.
But in 2023, Cavitt said, MSAH organizers ran into storage issues and low processor payments, putting extra stress on the program.
MSAH also faced increased DNR testing guidelines for chronic wasting disease and bovine tuberculosis in certain counties.
“Paying processors a fair rate is vital for the program to continue, because they’re struggling with inflation just like the rest of us,” Cavitt said in a press release. “This additional funding would also allow the organization to ensure testing requirements are met and update equipment to better facilitate summer processing.”
He told WWJ the state is also dealing with “an overabundance” of deer right now.
“The herd is not healthy and there’s been record numbers of car-deer accidents. And one of the ways of putting things back in balance is harvesting some of that protein and venison and giving it to people who might have food security issues,” he said.
Cavitt also noted deer frequently feed on farmers’ crops, causing them to lose hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of dollars every year.
MSAH is seeking a general fund investment of $264,000 to obtain refrigerated trailers that can store deer and processed venison, $300,000 for increased payments to processors to bring them to market rates to ensure participation and retention, and $30,000 to cover chronic wasting and tuberculosis testing, including shipping costs, according to Cavitt’s office.