May 18, 2020 – West Bend, WI – West Bend District 1 Alderman John Butschlick and Full Shelf Food Pantry board member Gary Rankin stand next to a 1,200-pound pallet of donated venison.
The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) works to keep deer numbers within a range that is both ecologically responsible and acceptable to most Wisconsin residents.
For the past three years, the City of West Bend Deer Management Committee has worked under the guidance of the DNR to reduce the number of white-tailed deer in West Bend.
Too many deer in a concentrated area can have negative effects on the ecological landscape, damaging household plant materials and park lands, transmitting disease, and can cause automobile accidents.
The Deer Management Program has taken place at Ridge Run Park, Lac Lawrann Conservancy, and the Washington County HighwayDepartment property. This year’s USDA sharpshooters harvested 58 deer.
“It’s important for us to help manage the growing white-tailed deer population in the city,” said John Butschlick, Deer Management Committee Chair and West Bend District 1 Alderman. “This donation will provide lean, healthy protein to adults and children in need right within our community.”
“We are grateful for the donation of venison with the increased cost of meat and the number of families who need extra assistance at this time,” said Allen Pauli, Executive Director of Full Shelf Food Pantryof Washington County. The food pantry is currently open for drive-thru service on Monday-Friday from 4:15-5:30 p.m. Visitors are asked to not get out of their cars. Cash and food donations are accepted on Monday-Friday between 6:30-10:30 a.m. Items most needed include pancake mix, syrup, SpaghettiOs, and all kinds of soup.