The hide from your harvested deer can go further than you think thanks to the efforts of local Lions Clubs in Door and Kewaunee counties. Otherwise discarded, Wisconsin Lions Clubs collect the deer hides before sending them overseas to be tanned in preparation for their next life as gloves and other leather items. Even the tails are used as some manufacturers use them as a part of fishing lures. The deer hides turn into approximately $80,000, which is then used to help run the Wisconsin Lions Club Camp in Rosholt. The Kewaunee Lions Club collects approximately 800 to 900 hides each year to donate to the program. Lions Club Treasurer John Mastalir says it makes him happy to see the high number of hides come in knowing the opportunities it is providing kids.
You can drop off your hides at locations in Sturgeon Bay, Forestville, Brussels, Kewaunee, and Washington Island until the beginning of January.