(Atlantic) The Atlantic Elks Lodge is collecting deer hides again this year for its veteran deer hide program.
John Lorenzen, a fisheries biologist with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, says the department uses the collected hides to make kits distributed to disabled veterans nationwide.
The kits can be used to make a variety of items, including gun cases, leather products for wheelchair gloves, and tails for fishing flies.
The Iowa Elks Association has collected more than 100,000 deer hides since the program began.
Lorenzen says you can donate deer hides regardless of when the deer is harvested. Collection boxes are located on the west side of the Elks Lodge at 411 Walnut Street in Atlantic, at the Wiota Fire Station, and at McCunn Firearms in Massena.
Instructions on the collection boxes explain whom to call or text. That person will come and prepare the hide to help prevent it from spoiling.
