GREEN BAY, Wis. — A warm pair of gloves on a cold Wisconsin day is something a deer hunter can appreciate.
“This is a pair of gloves made from our Wisconsin deer hides from last year,” said Brad Behrens, Wisconsin Lions Foundation vice president.
Behrens coordinates 220 drop-off sites for the Wisconsin Lions Foundation. He recently stopped at a Fremont location and had about 100 hides in his truck. Behrens said the numbers are looking good this year.
“Last year, we had over 18,000 deer hides and 6,000 tails that we collected for over $80,000,” said Behrens.
The group sells the hides that are then made into gloves. The tails get used to make fishing lures. Local Lions Clubs throughout the state contribute to the effort.
“We have nine boxes out between Winneconne and New London, and some of them are overflowing,” said Lynn Robbert, secretary of the Medina-Dale-Readfield Club.
She called the abundance “a wonderful problem to have.”
Proceeds from the hides and tails help fund the Wisconsin Lions Camp, which provides camping experiences for both youth and adults with disabilities.
“It’s wonderful. It’s a beautiful camp and to have it self-sustaining through part of this,” said Robbert.
Helping the group fund the free camp was enough of a reason for many to drop their hides off.
“It goes to a good cause rather than just getting two bucks for it or throwing it in the garbage or something. It’s a worthwhile cause,” said Rick Neider of Fremont.
It’s also a way to get extra benefits from each harvest. The days of Wisconsin hunters saving hides for their leather gloves and coats seem to be fading. The market just isn’t there.
“I remember years ago, my uncles would take them down to Berlin or somewhere, and there was a glove factory. Most people don’t do that anymore,” said Robbert.
But Behrens said gloves made from donated hides are easy to find in stores.
“The majority of them go to Menards, Fleet Farm, and Cabela’s. You’ll find them in any of the stores,” said Behrens.
The Lions Club will keep most drop boxes open until January. You can check for a location near you here.
Through their program, the tradition of turning hides into gloves lives on and now, anyone can buy a pair to support kids at Lions Camp.