MDHA is committed to preserving our hunting heritage, promoting habitat education as well as building and protecting habitat to benefit deer and deer hunters in Minnesota. The Minnesota Deer Hunters Association Hides for Habitat program is a recycling program that turns donated deer hides into dollars to be used for habitat. Since 1985, MDHA’s Hides for Habitat program has aided MDHA in our commitment with the collection of 1,002,953 donated deer hides to raise over $5.8 million dollars. 

Each fall during the hunting season, MDHA Chapter volunteers place hides collection boxes at various locations throughout their communities. Hunters place their deer hides in MDHA’s hide boxes. Chapters then collect the donated hides which are then sold to fur buyers. 

The money raised from the Hides for Habitat program, along with funds raised from chapter fundraisers, donations and the annual State Habitat Banquet, are used locally and statewide to support habitat and habitat related education. In addition to raised funds, MDHA partners with other conservation organizations such as Ruffed Grouse Society, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Pheasants Forever, National Wild Turkey Federation and many local conservation groups. The partners provide funds and support to our efforts, which enhances our accomplishments. 

Our fundraising efforts make it possible for MDHA Chapters to distribute to their members food plot seed, fruit trees for wildlife and to promote local habitat projects. Chapter members have participated in local habitat projects like tree planting, native browse regeneration, removal of invasive species and winter cover. The work done on these projects creates an opportunity to educate members and youth of the importance and impact made on habitat for deer, other wildlife and the environment. 

The Hides for Habitat program and all the great habitat accomplishments achieved from the funds raised would not be possible without the hard work and dedication of chapter volunteers, members and deer hunters. A key component to the success of the program is the relationship chapters have with the businesses in their community. The businesses typically allow chapters, free of charge, to put collection boxes on their property or provide space to prepare and store hides until pickup.  

During the 2021 deer hunting season Hides for Habitat collected 33,347 hides that turned into $136,590 raised for habitat. This program offers hunters the opportunity to give back to habitat with their hide donation. You can also participate by contacting your local chapter to ask about volunteer opportunities. A few hours of your time volunteering or a single hide donation does not seem like much, however, when added to the efforts all across Minnesota, it certainly does make a difference!

Visit mndeerhunters.com or call the MDHA State Office 218-327-1103 to find contact information and the location of your local chapter. A list of drop box locations will be available on MDHA’s website during the fall hunting season.

This article is from the 2022 Fall Edition of Whitetales.