What is Deer Hides for Lions Camp?
Each year, the Wisconsin Lions Foundation rallies hunters across Wisconsin to donate their deer hides and tails to the Foundation. The donated hides and tails, enough to fill semi-trucks, are then sold to a buyer and the funds collected go towards the Wisconsin Lions Camp, helping keep the Camp free of charge. Last year, we raised over $117,000 for Lions Camp!
Who Organizes Deer Hides for Lions Camp?
Once a small operation run by Past WLF Director, Bernie Stuttgen, from Thorp, the Deer Hide Collection has grown into hundreds of drop-off locations throughout the state. Immediate Past President and Deer Hide Coordinator, Brad Behrens, now oversees the Deer Hides for Lions Camp fundraiser.
“Berlin-Hamburg Lions, Leroy and Sharon Dehnel, had a collection site near my house. Every year on my way home from the hunting shack, I would drop off hides,” Brad explained how he became involved with the Deer Hide Collection.
Brad continued, “After Leroy and Sharon passed away, I took over their site and expanded into Wausau, Edgar, and Little Chicago. Then two years ago, at a District Cabinet Meeting, Bernie asked for a replacement as Deer Hide Coordinator.”
Brad assists in the setup of deer hide collection sites and adds new sites to the online locator on the Foundation website.
The Deer Hides for Lions Camp fundraiser would not be possible without the support of Lions Clubs, Lions and businesses with drop-off locations all over the state. We are grateful for our Deer Hide Collection participants and owe the success of the Deer Hides for Lions Camp Fundraiser to these dedicated volunteers and our hunters!
What are the hides used for?
Our buyer produces gloves and leather from the hides, with each hide yielding four to six pairs of gloves. Our buyer is the largest North American collector and exporter of Whitetail deer hides. This means, our buyer supplies stores like Menards, Fleet Farm and Cabela’s with all their gloves. You might just find one of your hides on the shelves at a store near you!
What are the deer tails used for?
Deer tails are used to create fishing lures. The Wisconsin deer tails are sought after because of their length in covering up large musky hooks.
What are the Wisconsin hunting season dates?
Deer hunting season in Wisconsin kicked off on September 14 with archery and crossbow season. Below you can find a complete schedule of the 2024 deer hunting season in Wisconsin.
| Season | Date Range |
|---|---|
| Archery & Crossbow | September 14, 2024 to January 5, 2025 |
| Gun | November 23 to December 1, 2024 |
| Muzzleloader | December 2-11, 2024 |
| Statewide Antlerless-only | December 12-15, 2024 |
| Antlerless-only Holiday Hunt | December 24, 2024 to January 1, 2025 |
How do you set up a deer hide collection/drop-off site?
Reach out to Brad Behrens at 715-323-8033 or behrens518@gmail.com first to discuss where you’d like the site and provide information for being added to the online drop-off location finder.
Next, you will want to arrange a pick-up schedule and create signage, including contact information and the Wisconsin Lions Foundation logo. Be sure that whatever site you pick has space and storage to prepare and store donated hides. Ensuring the hides are stored properly is essential – obtaining pallets and salt for hide preparation is key!
During hunting season, you’ll want to place Deer Hide Collection posters around your community and promote your hide collection on social media.
Lastly, you’ll want to make sure the hides are properly prepared. For detailed steps on how to prepare your hides, download our guide and review our resources page. Reach out to Brad for guidance.
Where are Deer Hide Collection sites near me?
You can find a Deer Hide Collection site near you on our website. Simply search our interactive map or download our alphabetical listing of drop-off locations.
Should you have any additional questions on the Deer Hides for Lions Camp fundraiser, please reach out to Brad Behrens at 715-323-8033 or behrens518@gmail.com. You can also follow along with the progress of the fundraiser on the Deer Hides for WI Lions Camp Facebook page.
We look forward to seeing your hides this year!