The first shotgun deer hunting season in Iowa begins on December 7th.
Hunters donated more than 47-hundred deer hides to Elks Lodges across Iowa last year, which was an increase of nearly 200 hides from the 2023-24 season.
The deer hides are used by the Elks Veterans Leather Program to make professionally crafted leather gloves for veterans in wheelchairs and also turned into leather used for therapy programs for recovering veterans.
Hunters willing to donate their hides are encouraged to contact their local Elks Lodge for drop off locations.
The therapeutic kits and gloves are distributed at no cost to the veterans.
