Sportsmen Against Hunger - The Great Buffalo Giveaway

The Vision
As a priority for Iowa SCI in 2003, the chapter Officers and Directors wanted to create a humanitarian program which benefitted those folks in need right here in Iowa. Their brainstorming always brought them back to a discussion of how to incorporate the essence of what brings chapter members together (hunting) with their desire to help.

Didn't take long before “wild game meat” and “working with homeless shelters” was an idea they just couldn't dismiss. Nels Spevak, along with support of then Iowa Chapter President Glenn Vondra and Director Steve Skold, found a huge ranch in southwestern South Dakota offering a cow buffalo hunt for the greatly reduced price of $500, and off he went. Nels was able to take the trophy with his muzzleloader, and returned home with 500 pounds of ground buffalo.

It was at this point, Glenn suggested “The Great Buffalo Giveaway” as the name of their program. Finding shelters willing to accept the meat, was not a problem. The first year, Iowa SCI distributed meat to 5 or 6 programs, including two single family homes where the donation overwhelmed their small freezers. Two thousands meals were prepared and shared.

In addition, to help raise funds to continue supporting The Great Buffalo Giveaway, the buffalo skull was sold to the highest bidder for $275 at the winter Iowa SCI banquet. Not bad for a first year program.

In 2004 with a clear vision of purpose, their search for another outfitter offering a buffalo hunt brought Nels and Glenn to Broken Bow Ranch in Nebraska. Glenn donated the cost of half the hunt while the outfitter donated the remainder. Glenn managed to take another huge buffalo, a bull this time. Again, Glenn returned home with coolers full of ground buffalo meat which were donated to local shelters. In addition, the quality hide was sold at the Iowa Chapter banquet for $500 (which Glenn won in the bidding – Thanks Glenn for your generosity and support).

Under the heartfelt guidance of Nels Spevak, over the subsequent years national and personal donations have allowed The Great Buffalo Giveaway to become a self sustaining program. Often, in addition to the ground meat, the hide and/or skull are donated to the chapter for fundraising efforts.

In 2009, Nels will join Iowa Chapter Director, long time member and world traveler/hunter Don Emde in pursuit of buffalo on Ted Turner's ranch in Montana. We wish them successful hunting.