A small rant!

[12GAGirl]

Ok I am all about helping people in need who are trying to help themselves but I have discovered some people who don't need help are just moochers! I noticed this when I began deer hunting and people would boldly ask for deer meat when they would see our deer or we would mention we had killed one. And we do give away some meat to older people who are unable to go hunting but I had this co-worker ask for some and because we had some extra I gave him a few packs but now he keeps asking for it and since we didn't get as much meat in our freezer this season I know we will run out before the season comes back in. So, I told him the truth and said I didn't have any extra to give away and he still keeps asking. Plus, it bothers me that my dh and I are the ones doing all the hunting and half the time we will tell people who ask for deer meat that we will be glad to take them hunting and almost everyone has declined the offer! Now, I am speaking about young healthy men perfectly cabable of going hunting and cleaning a deer bt would rather we do all the dirty work for them. In addition, I now have people doing the same thing regarding my chicken eggs. I guess they think because they are "yard eggs" they don't cost anything but they do cost me every month. I am not fussing about having to buy chicken feed but the nerve of people who will pay for eggs out the store but will not even offer a couple of bucks for better eggs because they think they can sucker me out of something. It is really annoying.

 

[jeaucamom]

We have the same problem. The next time they ask, try the barter system. Tell them you need your porch painted, or your toilets scrubbed with a toothbrush, or your mother in law moved on a Saturday etc. Pretty soon they get the idea that they can't get something for nothing. We got out of chickens for a little while and my friends missed my eggs so much that when I said I wanted chickens again, she went out and paid for a TWO coops so she could have free eggs, now that is a good friend.

 

[seismic wonder2]

Just tell them you are trying to stock up for the comming Ice Age caused by global warming in 2012. They'll stop asking.

Or wrap up the head and say "there's lots of good meat in that!"

OR
"Here ya go! I left it in the truck all day yesterday, but it should still be ok....maybe in a soup or stew..."


" I found some in the freezer from two years ago, I was going to throw it away but I'd rather see some one use it..."

 

[beerman]

I wish I lived near you I would do anything to have a place to hunt!!! I will even clean all the deer

 

[fordmommy]

I know how you feel. And with the eggs, I feel bad asking for money. So this is what I do now. I tell them that I take donations. That way it's not a set price. I know that in these times, some people just can't afford $3.00 a doz which is what I get from the girls at my dentist office and is the standard around here. This way the people can give me about $2 at least.

As far as the deer goes, tell that guy to pay for his hunting liceance and get his own.

 

[MareeZoCool]

Agreed. Hunting is not easy. Cleaning the deer is even more difficul than imagined! Hubby & I helped out with our first butchering this year. My admiration & respect is great for hunters.

 

[seismic wonder2]

Come to think of it, some people I know are hunters in and around San Diego county.... I grew up hunting in Alabama....I wonder if they would take me out and "learn me up" on California hunting.....
I hear the proper call for a mule deer here is the horn from a Jaguar.

 

[Mattemma]

It certainly takes the joy out of giving. Maybe you can suggest that the person come help with the cleaning of the deer otherwise it will cost x amount for the meat,because there is a lot of work/money involved with getting that meat.As long as you keep giving they will keep asking like a kid whining for a toy...after 30 tries they finally get it.

When I helped with pig killing/cleaning as a child it was an all day event,and it was really hard work.As a child I got the easy tasks such as intestine cleaning or stirring the cooking fat vat. I would be annoyed if people asked for hand outs and did not help in some way.

 

[CityGirlintheCountry]

Gosh. I don't feel bad asking for money for my eggs. It costs me a lot of money every month to keep them healthy and safe and fed. If someone wants high quality, delicious eggs they should pay for them. If they want cheap eggs they can get all they want at Walmart. I don't feel bad at all charging $3 a dozen. The organic stores charge a lot more than that and mine are fresher!
That being said, I do give eggs away, especially banty eggs. But... I have specific people that I have chosen to give those to and they are all already promised. If someone is so broke that they can't afford the $.99 eggs at Walmart, they can come help me scoop out coops and runs.

(I work with students and they are always broke. The few that I know that are really trying to keep their heads above water I tend to hire to help me with yard work. They get paid more than minimum wage and I get some of the harder yard chores tackled. It is win/win and it isn't a hand out. The ones that turn their noese up at having to work for money can starve. I work very hard for both my income and my chickens. There is no free ride!)

 

[Ms.FuzzyButts]

We used to have the same problem. And if you think about it, deer meat isn't cheep. We have ours turned into hamburger so we started paying a processor. I finally got tired of all the phone calls that came as soon as we got back from a hunting trip every time, and I sorta blew up. I just said, "You know what? How often am I waiting at your doorstep asking for food when you get back from the grocery store? It's basically the same thing. If you want to eat, you are welcome to come to dinner, but I am not handing it over anymore for free!!" Maybe a little harsh, but they saw my point and said they never thought of it like that.