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Deer hunting has felt the recession.

Local hunters and hunting officials say more people are depending on deer meat for food due to financial reasons than in the past.

“This year, I’ve really noticed a lot of deer hunters saying they’re hunting specifically for meat to feed their families,” said Brian Bartlett, the Clay County agent for the Missouri Department of Conservation. “I’m hearing this from those who are either unemployed or have had their hours cut back. So they have more time on their hands and see deer meat as a cheaper alternative than going to the grocery store.”

Mike Bair, who lives in Kansas City North and bow and gun hunts deer in and near Smithville, said that this year, more people have been asking him whether he has any deer meat to pass on to them. He said the reasons are definitely tied to people’s tight financial situations.

Not only is free meat cheaper than store-bought meat, it can be healthy as deer meat is known for tasting good and being low in fat and calories and high in protein, Bair said.

Right now, Bair is after does.

“I let people know right from the start that I keep the first one for myself. And when I get more than one, I start making some calls,” he said.

He has plenty of people on his list of those to call.

“I’ve even had people at work approach me this year,” he said.

He considers the situation a win-win.

“It allows me to get out, have more days in the field and have some fun. I really do enjoy it,” he said. “And it allows me to feel like I’m helping some other people out at the same time.”

PARK STATS

The Clay County Department of Parks, Recreation and Historic Sites spends 36.5 man hours on Level 1 cleaning each week. Level 1 cleaning of restrooms consists of removing all toilet paper from facilities, removing spider webs, removing trash, sweeping floors, spraying the inside of the facilities with a water hose, scrubbing floors, cleaning all sinks, toilets, urinals, showers, filling all of the toilet paper holds, “squeegeeing” the floors and picking up all supplies used.

Coming next week: Number of man hours the county spends on Level II cleaning each week.

OUTDOORS?

Did you recently catch a big fish? Go on a fun camping trip or peaceful horseback ride? If you snapped a picture during an outdoors activity, we want to see it and put it on this page. Send “Outdoors” photos to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or The Smithville Herald, 1001 S. Commercial Ave., Smithville, MO 64089.

Smithville Editor Nancy Hull Rigdon can be reached at 532-4444 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

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