The hunt or fish thread got me to thinking about something me and my buddies did years ago.

 

We used to hunt and fish a lot and a decent amount of the harvest went to the soup kitchen in Wilmington. They we're glad to have it and we we're glad to give. 

 

We lived 30 miles away deep in the swamps of Eastern North Carolina. ( Very rural) Back then there was not an interstate or four lane  and the one road to Wilmington was a slow go. Going into Wilmington was a big deal and it seemed like an enormous sized city to us. The one thing that stood out was how greatfull the volunteers were for venison, dove, all kinds of fish, really almost anything.

I moved off to go to college and didn't do much after that. In the early 2000's an old buddy of mine called and asked me to come home and help him a few days in his cabinet shop. In return he would take me to the sound and we would net some fish. When all was said and done and we took what we wanted there was 100+lbs. of fillets leftover. We called the "new" soup kitchen to let them know we were going to bring them some fish. 

 

They politely said they couldn't accept this per some FDA guidelines. I couldn't believe it. I have never been able to grasp the fact that they now turn away free meat. I miss those days where one simple act wasn't regulated and giving back was not discouraged. 

 

I don't hunt much anymore but I shoot a few doves and on occasion a wild boar. I take what I want and give the rest to people that would like some. Twice a year I go netting with my buddy and we give the majority to families that need or want. 

 

I will leave my personal views out as it's against the rules of the forum. BUT...it will always be silly that a place that feeds others for free can't accept wild game fresh from the field/water from private individuals.

 

Lastly , this is truly not a pat on the back post and is entirely about 40+ years ago and how doing something you love/ loved to do was rewarding in ways that aren't acceptable today. 

A lot of rules are just silly. My buddy kills hogs for the govt to protect agriculture. They have to leave them laying there! Protecting food by leaving a bunch of dead food laying around, makes sense??!!

Common sense is overruled by regulations & bureaucracy. 

13 minutes ago, Dwight Hottle said:

Common sense is overruled by regulations & bureaucracy. 

Simply stated yet so very true..