Hundreds of kilograms of venison and pork is making its way to fridges and freezers of families who need it thanks to the kindness of a group of hunters at Millers Flat.

Back in September, the Millers Flat Tavern Pest and Predator Hunting Competition was held for the third year running - this time with a twist.

Participants were invited to donate the meat from any deer or pigs shot to charity after a collaboration between hunting competition organisers and Deer to Care, a non-for-profit organisation that connects wild game meat with charities supporting local households.

Millers Flat Tavern manager Grace Roos said close to 30 teams entered the competition, on top of 15 individual entries, and “about 90 per cent” of them gave away their kill.

“There was probably half a tonne of meat,” she said.

Organisers of the annual hunting competition in Millers Flat partnered with Deer to Care to ensure wild meat from the event didn’t go to waste. Image: Facebook/Deer to Care

“Deer to Care came to our weigh-in, which was awesome.”

They then organised for the safe and efficient processing of the meat, bagging it up to pass it on.

Grace said there was so much meat it had been “a bit of a mission” to distribute it all, but now the last of it is sitting in Grace’s grandmother’s freezer with the plan to have it available for collection from the tavern in the coming weeks for anyone who would appreciate a feed.

Meanwhile, bagged processed meat has made its way to southern households via Deer to Care’s partnerships, including Women’s Refuge.

Grace also organised for 345 kilograms of mince to go to Kiwi Harvest, which rescues surplus food from cafes, restaurants and supermarkets and redirects it to community groups.

Kiwi Harvest operations supervisor Darryn Graves said the meat was delivered to 14 groups.

“Each got a basket full of tubed venison mince,” he said.

“It’s high-protein, highly nutritious meat. From us, it’s a massive, massive thanks. It’s just so appreciated.”

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