Here in Pennsylvania, the beginning of rifle deer hunting season is just around the corner. While some groups say hunting deer (or any animal) for sport is cruel, many hunters are using the practice to help in a unique way.

A growing number of American hunters are donating part of their bounty each year to people who need it most, the poor and the homeless, through nationwide campaigns like Hunters for the Hungry, which delivers game meat to local food banks and shelters. In Georgia, where the group was founded 15 years ago, more than 1,000 hunters delivered 5,000 pounds of meat in 2006, making 25,000 meals. Nationwide, the group is on track to deliver its one-millionth meal in December. “It’s really vital now because it’s the holiday season, and there’s more need during the fall and winter,” says Glenn Dowling, executive vice president of the Georgia Wildlife Federation. “Now is when this influx of high-quality protein needs to come into play in the food banks.”

But many animal-rights activists don’t think feeding the hungry with animals killed for sport is a justifiable end. What do you think?