08/28/2026
🦌 Before there was Hides for Heroes...
There was simply a Wisconsin outdoorsman who had a unique vision to make a difference in his community.
When Dave Hintz looked at deer hides that were routinely discarded, he didn't see waste—he saw opportunity. 💡
What began as a simple idea to support local youth athletics has grown into Hides for Heroes, an incredible Wisconsin nonprofit powered by hunters, volunteers, businesses, and community partners who share one common purpose: giving back.
Today, thousands of Wisconsin hunters donate their deer hides each year, empowering Hides for Heroes to support Veterans, emergency service workers, and local communities through the generosity of volunteers, businesses, and community partners. Hides for Heroes has been proudly supporting the mission of WWIA since 2012 and is a WWIA Medal of Honor Patron. Their selfless efforts and faithful support over the past 14 years have brought Honor, Connection, and Healing to countless Purple Heart Veterans! Yet, if you ask Dave about the success of Hides for Heroes, he'll humbly shift the spotlight to his remarkable team of volunteers and supporters.
💬 "I'm a lucky guy... I've got great volunteers, and everything seems to fall into place for us."
That's the heart of Hides for Heroes.
❤️ It's not one person.
🤝 It's a community.
Over the next several months, we're honored to introduce you to the people behind this incredible mission—the hunters, volunteers, businesses, sponsors, and community of patriots who are proving that generosity, hard work, and a heart for service can create life-changing impacts and make an indelible difference.
🎙️ Want to hear Dave tell the story in his own words?
Listen to his inspiring conversation with WWIA Founder & CEO, John McDaniel, on the WWIA Podcast and discover how one simple idea became a movement that continues to change lives both locally and across the nation.
🎧 https://wwiaf.org/captivate-podcast/episode-9-northwoods-interview-with-dave-hintz-of-hides-for-heroes/
➡️ Follow along in the coming months as we celebrate the people, partnerships, and purpose behind Hides for Heroes—and discover how together, we're making a difference, one harvest at a time, and turning those harvests into healing. To learn more about Hides for Heroes and how you can get involved, visit their website: https://www.hides4heroes.org
