Cornwallis Doe Rodeo hopes to feed 28,000 with 200 harvested does

Organizers hope the upcoming Third Annual Cornwallis Doe Rodeo will harvest 200 does that will in turn feed more than 25,000 people.  

Organizers hope the Doe Rodeo set for Dec. 5 through Dec. 14 will surpass last year’s milestone of 126 harvested does, which provided venison to feed more than 15,000 people through regional food banks. 

This year’s goal is ambitious: 200 does. With each deer averaging 35 pounds of processed venison, the effort could yield 7,000 pounds of meat, enough to serve an estimated 28,000 people. 

“It’s a way for hunters to give back,” said event coordinator Demp Bell. “Venison is a wonderful source of protein, and this helps families who need it most, especially during the holidays.” 

The rodeo culminates on Saturday, Dec. 14, with a full day of celebration at Cornwallis. Activities include skeet shooting, bow tournaments hosted by the Alabama Bow Hunter Association, exhibits of outdoor gear and hunting products, and food tents serving Southern breakfast, fish fry lunches and barbecue dinners.  

The dinner tent alone can seat 300, with 25 to 30 vendors surrounding the grounds to create a festival atmosphere. Guest speaker Steve Lambeth, national sales president for Wildlife Research, will address attendees at 11:30 a.m. 

Admission is $20, which includes a raffle for a $400 fishing package, food and Wildlife Research products valued at $20. 

Hunters who contribute does receiveblue tickets that enter them into exclusive raffles for high-value prizes, including a shotgun. General attendees receivered tickets, with drawings for merchandise and giveaways throughout the day. 

Last year, hunters from across the region and from as far away as Louisiana, Illinois and Michigan participated. Bell noted that one hunting club confirmed its involvement while calling from an offshore rig in India. “It shows how much people want to be part of hunters giving back,” he said. 

Local clubs are especially encouraged to join, with the state raising the daily doe limit to two per hunter.  

An 18-wheeler cooler will be on site to handle the expected volume. Hunters are asked to field dress deer before delivery to save processing time, though staff will assist if needed. 

Hunters can begin bringing does to Cornwallis starting Dec. 5. Daily totals will be posted on Facebook at Cornwallis 1828 and on Bell’s personal page. For questions or advance tickets, Bell can be reached at 251-593-1770. 

“This is more than a hunting event,” Bell said. “It’s about feeding families, building community and celebrating the outdoors together.”