The Park Rapids Minnesota Deer Hunters Association (MDHA) chapter collected 1,000 deer hides in the 2022 hunting season.
MDHA’s Hides for Habitat Program is designed to take donated deer hides provided by deer hunters and market those hides.
Proceeds raised by the sale of the hides are earmarked by the Park Rapids chapter for critical wildlife habitat projects and youth programs throughout the area.
Deer hides may be donated until mid-December.
Collection boxes will be at the following locations:
- Cwikla ACE Hardware, Park Rapids
- Cenex C Store at 810 Main Ave. N., Park Rapids
- Cenex C Store, Akeley
- The DNR Trails & Waterways office, Nevis
- Byer’s Liquor, Osage
- Orton’s Food & Market East, Park Rapids
- NAPA Auto Parts at 801 Park Ave. S., Park Rapids
- Super One in Walker
- Two Inlets Country Store on County 44.
Since 1996, the Park Rapids MDHA chapter has sponsored, staffed, funded or donated to firearms safety classes, Deep Portage trips for Park Rapids and Nevis students, the Park Rapids Area High School Clay Dusters trap team, Archery in Schools Program, Archery in the Park Program at Itasca State Park, Envirothon, Fresh Water Festival, Let’s Go Fishing for seniors, Forkhorn camps at Deep Portage, trail seeding and the United Federation for Disabled Archers hunt at Camp Wilderness, among other projects.
The chapter also manages Conservation Partners Legacy Grants through the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, benefiting public lands like wildlife management areas in Hubbard and surrounding counties.
Proper care of the deer hide will ensure quality leather. Skin the deer as soon after harvest as possible, then lay the skin out flat and let it cool. When skinning, minimize cutting hide by pulling it off the carcass, if possible. Leave the tail on the hide and as much of the hide intact as possible.
The deer head and limbs are considered household waste and may be taken to the transfer station. A special dumpster has been set up there for this purpose.
Remove excess chunks of flesh and fat before rolling up the hide and placing it into a paper bag or cardboard box, not a plastic bag.
For a list of official MDHA Hides for Habitat collection boxes, visit www.mndeerhunters.com or call 800-450-DEER.
Contributions to the Hides for Habitat Program can be matched by state, federal, local and private funds.
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