Patrons of the Haines Senior Center’s lunch program will soon be reaping the benefits of a moose hunt gone awry.
Fish and Game area biologist Stephanie Sell said meat from a sublegal moose shot Friday near 25 Mile Haines Highway was donated to the senior center Monday.
Senior center manager Cindy Jackson said she was serving lunch Monday when she got a phone call from wildlife trooper Ken VanSpronsen asking if the center would be interested in the harvested meat from the illegally-taken moose.
“I feel like we got the lucky draw, because he had just given fish to Haines Assisted Living and something else to the school. We got very lucky and got the moose,” Jackson said.
VanSpronsen said the moose will probably yield 300 to 400 pounds of meat after it is processed.
Though it’s unfortunate that an illegal moose was killed, at least the meat from the animal will benefit a worthy cause, VanSpronsen said.
“It goes to a good use. That is what it comes down to. Individuals who never would have had a chance to have fresh moose meat this winter will now have fresh moose meat,” he said.
Jackson has big plans for the protein: burgers, meatballs, sausage, meatloaf. She said she hopes to serve a moose dish at least once a week, which should easily last through the end of the calendar year.
“I am just so elated and happy,” Jackson said. “That is our program: providing meals for seniors. And of course here in Alaska, what better than to be able to serve moose?”
The center serves lunch to seniors for a $4 suggested donation at noon every day.
Jewel Stevens, who has cooked for the center for the last several months, worked her last day Oct. 3. Jackson is still looking for a replacement, but in the meantime, she and kitchen aide Jasmine Taylor-Bryant will be filling in.
Those interested in the cook job can contact Jackson at 766-2383.