– Gov. Jay Nixon is one lucky hunter.
For the fifth year in a row, the Democrat joined thousands of hunters on opening weekend of deer season, and for the fifth year in a row, he shot and harvested a deer to donate to Missouri’s Share the Harvest program.
“I am proud to once again join the thousands of Missouri hunters who are donating venison to help feed hungry families in Missouri,” Nixon said in a statement. “For more than 20 years, Share the Harvest has combined two time-honored Missouri traditions: helping our neighbors in need and harvesting nature’s bounty. As firearms deer season begins, I encourage all deer hunters to visit MO.gov to learn how to share their harvest with needy families this year.”
According to a news release, Nixon took the buck to Kohoka Meet Processing, where the deer meet is set to be packaged for distribution to a local food bank. Since 2009, Missouri hunters have donated some 1.15 million pounds of venison to the program, and it has increased each year.
(Data: Nixon administration)
2013: Clark County
This year, Nixon shot an eleven-point buck in Clark County on opening day. He said he plans to donate the deer to Share the Harvest.
2012: Pulaski County
In 2012, Nixon bagged an eight-point buck in Pulaski County and donated it to Share the Harvest.
2011: Pulaski County
In 2011, Nixon shot a button buck in Pulaski County and donated it to Share the Harvest.
2010: Clark County
In 2010, Nixon shot an eight-point buck deer in Kahoka and donated it to Share the Harvest.
2009: Pulaski County
In 2009, Nixon harvested a doe in Pulaski County and donated it to Share the Harvest.