ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Minnesota deer hunters will again be able to donate venison to state food shelves this year.

The Minnesota Hunter Harvested Venison Donation Program is aimed at providing a source of protein for people in need while helping reduce deer populations. The program is operated by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture in partnership with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and state food shelves.

Last year, Minnesota hunters donated 421 deer to the program, which provided more than 15,000 pounds of processed venison to Minnesota food shelves. Funding for the program comes from a $1 surcharge on deer bonus permits.

To be eligible to donate venison to the program, hunters must have their deer processed at a state-registered meat-processing plant that has agreed to participate in the program.

(© Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)