GRAND FORKS (AP) - North Dakota's Sportsmen Against Hunger program is accepting only deer taken by archery, until further notice.

The move comes in the wake of a study last spring in which portions of ground venison from rifle-killed deer were found to contain lead fragments. The state Health Department told food shelves to throw away some 4,000 pounds of ground venison.

Ann Pollert with the North Dakota Community Action Partnership says venison is a valuable staple for food pantries, and bow hunters are encouraged to donate. The North Dakota Game and Fish Department says about 17,000 hunters bought archery tags this year.

Findings from a study to see whether eating wild game results in higher levels of lead in the blood will determine whether the program accepts rifle-killed deer when that season begins in November.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention conducted the study in conjunction with the state Health Department. A final report is expected in mid-October.