JOHNSON COUNTY, Kan. - Food fears are stemming from the plan to weed out an overpopulation of deer in Shawnee Mission Park.
While it could reduce the number of deer, many are wondering what will happen to the deer meat once it's collected after a hunt. If the plan for a controlled hunt is approved, Johnson County plans to donate the deer meat to food pantries.
Deer still run rampant in Shawnee Mission Park. Johnson County blogger Tracy Thomas wants the deer gone fearing they carry ticks with Lyme disease. She's seething over the proposed plan to donate the deer meat.
"The meat from the initial harvest that's the police rifle harvest would be processed and donated to local charities," said Michael Meadors of the Johnson County Parks and Recreation.
Harvesters would likely receive part if not all the donated venison. The organization serves 550 metro charitable food agencies.
Ellen Feldhausen, Director of Communications for Harvesters explained, "Harvesters won't accept any meat whether it's game like venison or hamburger unless it's inspected by the USDA processing plant."
We found donated products with that USDA stamp in Harvesters freezer. That may not matter in this case.
A spokesperson for the Center for Disease Control says humans cannot contract Lyme disease from eating venison. But the cost to process each deer would be paid by Johnson County, an idea now in the crosshairs of critics.
"Destroy the meat and get over it. Quit wasting tax money trying to have the meat cured and it prepared and tested again," said Thomas.
The Johnson County Parks and Recreation District could make a final decision on the controlled hunt plan Wednesday. If it’s approved, a controlled hunt could be held in the fall.
