WHEREAS, hunting in Virginia is enshrined in the state constitution, offering opportunities to connect with nature while providing food security and nutrition to hunters, their families, and those less fortunate through community-based Hunters for the Hungry (HFTH) programs; and

WHEREAS, the Virginia Hunters Who Care Program, launched in cooperation with the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR), is a common-sense answer to fighting hunger and taps into the role of hunting as an integral cultural component of Virginia communities; and

WHEREAS, recent research shows that while American hunters share 119 million pounds of harvested game meat with others each year, many food banks and charitable partners have not received enough donated game meat to fulfill their missions; and

WHEREAS, the Virginia DWR is funded largely by hunters through the “user pays, public benefits” system known as the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation, resulting in more than $15,300,000 in Pittman-Robertson funding returning to the Commonwealth in 2025 alone to support vital wildlife and habitat conservation programs; and

WHEREAS, promoting Virginia’s tradition of sharing wild game harvests takes on even greater significance as we strive to protect the future of hunting and promote it as a food source, a right, and a vital wildlife management tool; and

WHEREAS, Virginians are encouraged to gain a greater understanding and awareness of food insecurity and its impact on families across our nation, Commonwealth, and communities; and

WHEREAS, hunger is a challenge we can address together through programs such as Virginia Hunters Who Care and other established Hunters for the Hungry initiatives, working toward a day when no Virginian goes hungry; and

WHEREAS, the NRA and its millions of members have designated November as National Wild Game Meat Donation Month to encourage hunters to donate surplus game meat and financially support local HFTH programs as we prepare to celebrate Thanksgiving and the season of giving;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Glenn Youngkin, do hereby recognize November 2025 as WILD GAME MEAT DONATION MONTH in the COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, and I call this observance to the attention of all our citizens.