Editor’s Note: This is a regular monthly column from Colorado Parks and Wildlife about wildlife issues in the Falcon area by a career wildlife officer.
Aaron Berscheid is a district wildlife officer for Colorado Parks and Wildlife. Aaron covers the “wild” side of Northeast El Paso County, including Black Forest, Falcon, Peyton and Calhan. He also covers some of Elbert County, north of U.S. Highway 24 and south of State Highway 86, including the towns of Elbert, Kiowa, Ramah, Simla, Matheson and a small portion of the Limon area.
Not seeking donations; CPW making donations
By Aaron Berscheid
District Wildlife Manager, CPW
Every year around the holidays, many people are asking for donations.
Not me. I’m not asking for donations. Think of me as Santa in a law enforcement uniform, driving a big pickup truck and wearing a badge offering to donate something to you.
Wild game meat.
Don’t worry. I won’t leave any under your tree wrapped in pretty paper and a bow.
But the offer is real. Colorado Parks and Wildlife officers like me often have wild game available to donate to individuals or groups. We do it because we hate to see any meat wasted. It’s part of our hunting ethic. Use every part of the animal possible.
No doubt you are wondering how I come by spare wild game. Actually, I often find myself with meat to donate through several ways, including the seizure of illegally taken animals or because I had to euthanize an animal mortally injured in a traffic collision.
Truth is, I often have many, many animals to donate. That’s especially true this time of year as the deer enter the rut season and the bucks chase the does around in a frenzy to mate. They dart in and out of our streets and into oncoming traffic.
So I want to extend an offer. Maybe you like venison. Or maybe you have a family to feed and need fresh, organic meat. I can help you stretch your grocery budget by providing you a source of protein during these hard times.
Please email me at my email address listed below, and I will place your name on my donation list.
When a deer, elk, bear or other game animal lands in the bed of my truck, I’ll start working my way down my list of names.
I won’t call if the animal isn’t suitable for consumption.
As soon as I find someone who wants the animal, I will work with them to hand over the animal. A form will need to be filled out to allow you to legally possess the animal. Then, off you go!
Ho! Ho! Ho!
Usually, the animal is whole and those who receive the animal will be responsible for field dressing it and processing it into steaks, ground meat, etc. The form I give for the legal possession of these animals can also be used to take the animals to your favorite meat processor.
Sometimes, I will have some packaged meat to donate that has already been processed. If this is the only way you will receive donations, please let me know in your email. Just be advised that this is extremely rare.
Also, please keep in mind I can’t hang onto an animal very long. These need to be quick transactions where I drop the deer or other animal off with you, fill out the required paperwork, and then leave you to it.
I’m afraid I can’t help break the animal down unless there are extenuating circumstances.
The only way I know someone needs meat is if they contact me, so please let me know if you want to be on my list.
In the coming months, I’ll share more stories as I write about wildlife issues in our community. Got a question, problem or column idea? Please email me at aaron.berscheid@state.co.us or call me at 719-227-5231.
I might even answer your question in a future installment of “Wildlife Matters.”
