The first shotgun deer hunting season wrapped up earlier this week and this weekend kicks off the second shotgun season.

With that in mind, hunters and other individuals are encouraged to donate their deer hides to the Jefferson Elks Lodge.  The local lodge #2306 donates all deer hides to be processed and given to veterans hospitals in Iowa as well as disabled veterans in Greene County. Products from the hides are made into wheelchair gloves, crafting kits and leather.

Greene County Conservation Director Dan Towers reminds all hunters to wear blaze orange during shotgun deer season.

“You can’t just have a hat like pheasant hunters (but) you have to have at least a (blaze orange) vest. Most people are very safety conscience, so they want to wear at least that vest, maybe a whole jacket (and) some guys (wear) overalls to be seen.”

Jefferson VFW Post #9599 is also encouraging those who know of veterans who are in need of wheelchair gloves to contact Les Fister at 515-386-8248 or 515-370-3724 and new gloves will be sent to them.

You can also contact John Schoening at 386-4191 or 515-370-0965, Jack Hunter in Yale at 641-757-0652 or Randy Winkleman in Scranton at 860-705-1375 to donate deer hides.

The second shotgun season runs from December 12th through the 20th.