DECEMBER 10, 2015
New program to help utilize dead deer
A countywide program to reuse deer killed in vehicle accidents will begin next week in LaRue County.
As a result of a higher volume of deer related accidents this year in LaRue County, Hodgenville Police Sergeant James Richardson said he and another county employee came up with an idea to create a program where people could reuse the dead deer for meat.
“We recently went to a vehicle accident where someone hit two deer at the same time and we came up with the idea to have a rotating list where people could come and pickup the dead deer off the roadway,” Richardson said. “We put a post out on the department’s Facebook page and received a lot of interest, so we decided to pursue the idea.”
As a part of the new program, people who hit and kill a deer in their vehicle are asked to call the Hodgenville Police Department at 270-358-2013. A police officer will respond and verify that the deer was hit by a vehicle. The department will then go through a list of people that have signed up for the program until someone is available to come and pick up the deer.
“It’s an eyesore to see dead deer laying on the side of the roadway. It’s a natural resource that needs to be used instead of wasted,” Richardson said. “This could be the only meat some families get this winter.”
Richardson said HPD is also partnering with the LaRue County Sheriff’s Department to make it a countywide program. He said they also contacted the Kentucky Fish and Wildlife to make sure their program policy was in compliance with all the state rules and regulations.
Richardson went on to say that letters are being mailed to those already signed up for the program that will explain the rules and regulations. He said the program will likely begin next week.
If you are interested in participating in the program, call 270-358-3013 or message the Hodgenville Police Department on their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/hodgenvillepd.
By Doug Ponder
LaRue County Herald News
