ALBANY (AP) -- Sen. Charles Schumer on Wednesday proposed a tax deduction for deer hunters who donate their processed venison to food pantries and soup kitchens.

Hunters would be able to deduct the cost of having their kill butchered for donation. Schumer said the processing cost is typically $65 to $80.

Tax incentives would also be provided to processors that butcher game for non-profit organizations such as the Venison Donation Coalition, which pays to process donated game and then gives the meat to food pantries.

Schumer said Wednesday the processors wouldn't have to pay taxes on the income received from a non-profit group, and could pass the savings on to the organization.

The measure should help traditional venison donation programs, which have seen their funding levels slashed in recent years, Schumer said. The Venison Donation Coalition received $100,000 in state funding two years ago but only $21,000 this year, he said. Private donations also have declined.

According to the state Department of Environmental Conservation, more than 220,000 deer were taken by hunters in New York state in 2008.

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