The Park Rapids Minnesota Deer Hunters Association (MDHA) chapter is collecting deer hides this hunting season.
MDHA’s Hides for Habitat Program is designed to take donated deer hides, provided by deer hunters and market those hides. Deer skin makes a high quality leather. The end use for most of the hides is the Italian clothing industry – handbags, leather clothing and shoes.
This year, they will set out collection boxes the week before hunting. Deer hides may be donated until mid-December.
Collection boxes will be at the following locations:
Cwikla Ace Hardware, Park Rapids
Cenex C Store on 810 Main Ave., Park Rapids
Cenex C Store, Akeley
The DNR Trails & Waterways office, Nevis
Osage Bait & Tackle
Orton’s Food & Market East, Park Rapids
NAPA Auto Parts on 801 S. Park Ave., Park Rapids
Super One in Walker
Two Inlets Country Store on County Highway 44.
Proceeds raised by the sale of the hides are earmarked for use by the Park Rapids chapter for habitat projects throughout the area. Between 1996 and 2018, the Park Rapids MDHA contributed $75,000 for outdoor education, $700,000 toward habitat and land management and $30,000 in local donations.
The Park Rapids MDHA chapter sponsors, staffs, funds or donates 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, trail seeding and many other projects.
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The Park Rapids chapter manages over $700,000 in Conservation Partners Legacy Grants through the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Funds benefit numerous public lands, like wildlife management areas, in Hubbard and surrounding counties.
