Southeast Tines Winter 2024 by DandKDesign

SOUTHEAST TINES

FEATURED FARM STORY

Awesome Whitetails – Dedicated to Helping Deer Farmers Succeed

HEREDITY & BREEDING CWD RESISTANCE

As deer farmers, breeding season is that time of year when we put our plans into action. Whether you are attempting to create or recreate that monster breeder buck or that super doe, breeding plans are seldom decided upon on the spur of the moment. They often take weeks, months, or even years to be developed and even longer before we see the full potential.

Many of us have certain characteristics which we pursue with a passion, such as: tine length, tall brows, beam length, width, number of points ( up or down or both), clean, or non-typical with the most bone on a bucks head that he can carry, body size, as well as color. We all know what our market wants and we want in order to be successful. I've said it many times, big beautiful bucks are just that, big and beautiful.

Unfortunately, far too often we forget or lose sight of what is becoming one of the most important aspects of all, breeding deer which are genetically CWD resistant. This does not mean that these deer are immune to, or cannot get CWD, but rather will have the highest resistance to developing it in the first place. I will dive into this in much greater depth in the following issue, but for now this is a sneak preview.

#1. GEBV

The quickest means to increase resistance is to increase the negative GEBV of values of your deer. Simply put, breed deer with the greatest (-) GEBV. It is critical to know the starting GEBV value of your deer. Theoretically, the offspring of from two deer with GEBV values far apart will be mid-way between the two.

Example:

Buck ( -0.248 GEBV) breeds Doe (+0.002 GEBV) , the offspring should have apx. (-0.123 GEBV)

#2. Codon Markers ( 96 allele)

It only takes 2 breeding cycles to create a SS from a GG.

Example:

1st breeding GG + SS = 100% GS offspring

2nd breeding GS offspring + SS = 50% SS and 50% GG

I hope you found this helpful,

Dr. Bill Leffler

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

PRESIDENT

Dr. Bill Leffler

2 Base Down Farms PO Box 159

Morriston, FL 32668

561-373-2353

Bleffler2011@gmail.com

Twobasedownfarms@yahoo.com

VICE PRESIDENT

Matt Young Taxidermist

Tillman Outdoors LLC 13669

Buckskin Rd

Brooksville, FL 34601

352-206-4745

Sportsmens9@yahoo.com

TREASURER

Wendy O’Brien

5 Star Bookkeeping & Tax Service LLC

Spirit Ranch

26838 Mondon Hill Rd

Brooksville, FL 34601

352-584-0971

Spiritranchfl@gmail.com

SECRETARY

Laura McWatters

341 SW Ballaed Ct., Lake City, Florida 32024

561-644-8029 buckfeathers@bellsouth.net

DIRECTORS

Benny Wilkison

Lil Oak Whitetails 3193 NW 216th St

Lawtey, Fl

904-424-7233

liloakwhitetails@yahoo.com

Mike Hunter MS Hunter Farm 8479 Puckett Rd Perry, FL 32348 850-843-0881

Mike.Hunter@etranscarriers.com

Mike Vizcaino Osceola Whitetails 149 Sand Lake Dr Pomona Park, Fl 32181 904-814-7214

Mvizcain@bellsouth.net

Tim Cromwell 18015 NE CR 1471 Hampton, FL 32044 352-727-9528

President’s Message

I am sure that many of us remember Bill Murray starring in the movie Groundhog Day, and one of his famous quotes ............ “it’s cold out there!”

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

Deja vu is often funny in movies but far less so in real life

This year, Florida was once again hit by multiple hurricanes which resulted in loss of lives, homes, businesses, farms, and animals. Times like these can knock us to our knees, but with faith, family , and friends we get back up and continue. After all, God never puts more on our plate than we can carry.

One of the greatest losses was the passing of SETDA President, James “Smitty” Smith, who is remembered in this issue. I personally told Smitty that he can continue as president forever. I know that he is, and will be missed by many.

I hope that everyone had a chance to go online and let FWC hear from you about the rule changes which they are proposing. Some of the main points are in this issue.

SPRING FLING

You will also find Part 4 of the continuing search for The Truth About CWD.

This year’s breeding season is well underway and those plans we’ve pondered over for so long are being put into action. I hope that it will be exciting, fantastic, and highly successful.

As a good friend of mine once said, “may your cover bucks still have tears in their eyes, even days later, after meeting their new girlfriends”. Florida is quickly becoming known for growing some of the biggest bucks in the nation, all because of artificial insemination. In this issue, you will also find a sneak peek at, Heredity & Breeding CWD Resistance.

If anything, this election season has proven just how divided and upset many of us are with how things are going, but no one has the right to complain unless they get involved and vote. The same can be said about any group or association. The Board of Directors and myself want your input and support so that the Southeast Trophy Deer Association continues to grow and may one day be as large or larger than any other group in the nation. We can only do this with your help. I am asking y’all to reach out to the nearly 570 deer farmers and preserve owners in Florida and get them to become members. Invite them to the upcoming Spring Fling Auction in Orlando this March 7th and 8th.

Stay Safe, Well, United, and “Florida Strong”

God Bless

Dr Bill Leffler

I N C R E A S E

T H E H E A L T H

O F Y O U R

W H I T E T A I L S

James Lee Smith “Smitty”

Obituary

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of James Lee Smith, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend, who passed away on September 14, 2024, in Tampa, Florida, at the age of 66. Born on August 13, 1958, in Havre De Grace, Maryland, James was the eldest child of Anna M. Smith’s four children: Alice Butler, Ruth Rivera and Charles Daugherty.

James spent his early years in Maryland before moving to Florida in 1971, where he graduated from Pasco High School. He went on to dedicate 28 years of his life to Cross Environmental Services, where his expertise and dedication left a lasting impression. Known for his ability to fix anything and his “tough as nails” approach to life, James never met a stranger. He had a knack for saying the right words at the right time, always extending a helping hand to those in need.

James was a man of many passions. He loved deer hunting and guiding hunts, and loved his miniature horses. He was an active member of the local community, hosting livestock auctions, and proudly sponsoring and showing at the Pasco County Fair. He enjoyed his involvement in supporting the youth at the hog and pig sales.

James is survived by his devoted wife of 47 years: Pat (Wilds) Smith. He also leaves behind his cherished children, J.L. Smith and Regina Smith, and his beloved grandchildren, Emma and Tatum, and siblings: Alice Butler, Ruth Rivera (Ruben), and Charles Daugherty (Melissa).

James was a loyal friend to Al Biston and Travis Biston, and his memory will live on in the hearts of numerous nieces, nephews, and the many people who were fortunate to know him.

James was preceded in death by his mother, Anna M. Daugherty.

A visitation will be held on Friday, September 27, 2024, from 1:00 P.M. to 2:00 P.M. at Hodges Family Funeral Home in Dade City, Florida, followed by a funeral service at 2:00 P.M. Interment will take place at Chapel Hill Gardens in Dade City.

In remembrance of a man who was tough, kind, and always ready with a smile, we say farewell to James Lee Smith, whose legacy will forever be a part of the community he loved.

FEATURED FARM

AWESOME WHITETAILS –DEDICATED TO HELPING DEER FARMERS SUCCEED

Written By: Gail Veley

Jason and Amy Stefanowicz feel their farm, Awesome Whitetails in Middlebury Center, Pennsylvania, is in a good place. They’ve done their homework. They’ve bought, bred and raised top quality, highly marketable deer. Their plan moving forward is to raise and maintain a more self-sustained herd, while only introducing new genetics or buying new deer when it becomes necessary. And while they have always deeply appreciated the friendships and business relationships they have in the deer industry, they believe the industry would be better served if there was a greater amount of reciprocation between larger and smaller deer farms.

“As a smaller deer farmer, it’s easy to experience frustration when I go to auctions and sell just as good of deer as a larger farm, and don’t get the same prices,” Jason, 53, explained. “We are growing some phenomenal deer, typical and nontypical. All of our deer get big. We are raising them naturally. And I stand with many smaller deer farms when I say that larger farms should make a bigger effort to support or reciprocate back to smaller farms, in as much as these smaller farms have supported them.”

Jason and Amy have always made a practice out of helping the smaller deer farm succeed, by selling high-end genetic semen

straws at more reduced prices. Today the deer on their farm speak for themselves, in the form of their Texas-bred prized breeding buck ‘Amazing,’ “who as a yearling was more typical with a 250” frame,” Jason said. “He is technically, however, more nontypical and one of the country’s biggest MVP supreme yearlings.” While Jason and Amy would love to have an entire pen of ‘Amazing’ deer, they focus on raising a variety so that customers have several looks to choose from.

Other prized breeding bucks at Awesome Whitetails include “H & S”, a double markered SS buck with a negative 166 GEBV. “He has both typical and nontypical

attributes,” Jason said. “He was 276” last year and 300” this year as a three-year-old. He’s very big bodied and weighs close to 300 pounds.” Awesome Whitetails also sells bred does from these bucks. Perhaps another buck Stefanowicz loves to showcase is “Dr. Feelgood,” who was 360” at three-years-old. “So, give us a call to schedule your farm tour and we will not only introduce our best deer or semen, we will also offer consulting advice on any aspect of running your farm should you need it,” he added.

Raising top quality breeder bucks and putting your farm “on the map” is the goal of every deer farmer. To that end, Jason is very grateful to Amy for helping them raise the tamest, calmest and heathiest does you could possibly buy. “We sell doe fawns anywhere from 2 days old and on up,” he said. “We are also 90 miles away from CWD and practice strict sanitation practices at our farm.” Taking all of this into consideration, “our biggest desire is to see everyone succeed,” Jason explained. “Pedigrees should speak for themselves along with the farm than demonstrates its commitment to raising deer the right way. If I turn someone onto

buying from my farm, I guarantee you it was raised the most honest way I know how, because I want you to have the same success that I have had. Working for our customers, working together and for each other should be our top priority in the deer industry. I encourage everyone to not overlook a smaller farm or underestimate our ability to be just as competitive or produce the same top-quality deer as a larger farm. At the end of the day, we are all committed to growing the best deer possible.”

March 2024

By Laurie

Special thanks to the Flees family and Apple Creek Whitetails for supporting this research, many times with their own money. Also, thanks to Whitetails of Wisconsin’s foundation, Wisconsin Cervid Farmers Foundation, for funding the majority of the research at Apple Creek and Maple Hill Farms. The research at Ames, Iowa has been funded by USDA/APHIS.

Please follow this link to review the research documents online.

FLORIDA DEER FARMERS

FIND CHALLENGES WITH STRONGER AND MORE FREQUENT WEATHER

By: Gail Veley • Sponsored by the Southeast Trophy Deer Association

This past September, Bill Leffler turned to a fellow elk hunter in Wyoming, the same week Category 4 Hurricane Helene was making landfall in his home state of Florida, where he owns and operates

Two Base Down Farm. “What would happen here in Wyoming if 20 inches of rain fell in one day?” he asked his hunting companion. He only had to pause a moment. “Everything would disappear,” he answered.

Of the many things a Florida deer farmer faces in the aftermath of a hurricane, perhaps one of the most disturbing is “that nothing will ever be the same,” offered Ryan Boyd of 253-acre Legacy Ranch, in Jennings, Florida. “Nothing will ever, ever look the same. Hundreds of our trees were uprooted. We had a direct hit from Helene with winds up to 144 miles per hour. Somehow, we didn’t lose any deer. But so far, we’ve spent $14,000 in tree removal alone. Insurance won’t

cover it.” In the three-plus years that Ryan and his wife Glorianne have run Legacy Ranch in the Sunshine State, they, like so many other deer farmers, have endured hurricane after hurricane especially within the last few years. The most recent hurricane, Milton, made landfall October 9th as a Category 3 hurricane with winds up to 120 mph. It was the second most intense Atlantic driven hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico since Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and, at press time, the strongest tropical storm worldwide in 2024.

However, many variables make Florida, the 27th State of Our Union founded in 1845 and the 22nd largest U.S. state, an attractive and welcoming place to live. Temperatures are generally warm year-round and the tropical climate, access to scenic beaches and tourist attractions only adds to the appeal. Yet, strong hurricanes were not unknown to residents of Florida

even from the very start. In 1928, Hurricane Lake Okeechobee went on record as being the strongest hurricane ever to make landfall. The next one to match its strength would be 77 years later, Hurricane Katrina, which severely affected several southern states such as Louisiana, Florida and Georgia, Mississippi and Alabama.

Today, strong hurricanes in the state whose motto is “In God We Trust” have become the norm. Nonetheless, Leffler feels his resolve has grown in strength, too. “When Milton came there were trees and fences down and animals died,” he said. “There was no power for four or five days. You learn to be prepared with plenty of food, water and gas. I dug an 8-foot wide and 5-foot-deep trench on my property to help with the massive flooding we’ve dealt with. But others have had it much worse.”

Adding to the difficulty of storm damage management directly relates to the quantity of hurricanes that have recently occurred. “There’s so many people who need help, resources are stretched pretty thin,” said Mike Hunter of 260-acre Big Bend Hunting Preserve in Perry, Florida. “After being hit with four hurricanes in the past 13 months, it just takes the wind out of your sails. I think of all the hard work. As you get older you think about these things and the fact that you lose a

little hope. Sometimes I think about not having deer after these things happens, but I’ve never thought of leaving Florida.”

Like Hunter, Leffler and Boyd feel loyal to and rooted in Florida. “Florida is my home,” Leffler said. “You do what you need to do to survive. You become Florida Strong. We live in a beautiful state. We feel pretty blessed. In our neighborhood everyone helps everyone else. There can be silver linings in hardships. You value your friends and family even more. And you work even harder to maintain your passion for what you love doing the most. Deer farming is at the top of the list.”

You do what you need to do to survive. You become

Magazine Deadlines / Event Calendar

The TRUTH About CWD

Part 4 of my continuing effort to educate and inform as many people on The Truth About CWD.

(Some of the key takeaways below have been highlighted)

By Dr. Bill Leffler

THIS IS WHERE WE STAND, that is according to a research article printed June 15,2024, in Science Direct, Heliyon, after analyzing 3008 published peer-reviewed research papers on chronic wasting disease. The goal was to review the literature and answer the following:

1. What factors affect CWD prevalence?

2. What are the social, health, ecological, and economic impacts of CWD?

3. What methods and interventions adopted so far have been effective in managing CWD?

Most papers (39%) were related to CWD prevalence, (33%) human behavior in relation to CWD, (31%) dealt with the impacts CWD has had, and(16%) covered management interventions.

Environmental factors such as soil, water, and plants were identified as the most common transmission medium. There is a higher prevalence rate among adult male than female cervid, with a greater mortality in older adults than younger cervid.

Due to the accelerating spread of CWD and no known cure, it has been called a disease of concern. On December 23, 2022, Congress passed the Chronic Wasting Disease Research and Management Act, which allocates $70 million dollars each year until 2028 to deal with this problem.

Prevalence

In terms of reported cases, Colorado, Wyoming, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania have the most reported numbers. “ Within the United States, Wisconsin(29%) was the most frequently researched state where many multi-year studies were conducted, followed by Colorado (15%), and Illinois (13%); cumulatively they accounted for more than half of the total CWD studies carried out around the world.” The leading journals publishing these papers were: Human Dimensions of Wildlife, Journal of Wildlife Management, Journal of Wildlife Diseases, PLOS ONE, and Wildlife Society Bulletin.

The clustering of cervids increases the likelihood of CWD transmission. This is affected by geographic location (population density) and time of the year (summer being the highest and winter being the lowest). Adult males were found to exhibit greater clustering (associated with food sources, mating, and socialization) than adult females.

Human Behavior

Papers on human behavior investigated people’s attitude towards the disease, management plans, associated risks, and behavior of primarily hunters compared to non-hunters. The level of concern was greatest for the health of deer rather than human health. Regulations involving the ban on baits and mineral licks, implementing sharp shooters in CWD zones, and the disposal of infected deer parts were of greater concern to hunters and landowners than nonhunters, which has resulted in distrust and lack of cooperation with government agencies and those programs. CWD has had little significant impact on hunting activities in those areas where prevalence has a low rate. However, 16% of hunters reported that they would reduce hunting if CWD was detected in their area and more significant is that they would quit hunting if CWD prevalence was high. In Wisconsin, a state with one of the highest

Continued on Page 30

rates of CWD prevalence, the hunter harvested meat testing rate is below 7% of the total of all cervid harvested. This demonstrates the mistrust and poor compliance and cooperation hunters still harbor over the states culling programs.

Wildlife agencies need to consider the diversity of stakeholder attitudes when they attempt to design and implement the most appropriate and socially acceptable CWD management plans.

Deer Ecology

As stated, CWD impacts were greatest amongst males than females, and adults rather than fawns. CWD infected animals often die from predation, hunters, and vehicle collisions, before succumbing from the disease itself.

Economic Impact

Only 4% of all research papers focused on this despite the following: $70 million dollars each year until 2028 has been allocated by Congress, and that in 2022, approximately 14.4 million hunters in the US spent $45.2 billion dollars on hunting licenses, trips, and equipment ( which is a significant part of the gross domestic product of the United States).

Management of CWD

This study found that the “ most common interventions included culling (43%), disposal of unwanted parts (19%), restrictions on baiting (19%), free tags for hunters and increasing bag limits (33%), extended hunting season (14%), and other interventions.”

The management strategies were very different for captive farm raised versus wild free -range cervids populations. Complete total depopulation of captive farmed raised cervids was most often employed, while population reduction by culling was most often for wild free-ranging cervids.

“All papers related to CWD management indicated that selective/non-selective culling was essential and effective method to control the disease and reduce its spread.”

In terms of public perception, the CWD management plans sometimes create DETRIMENTAL CONSEQUENCES, primarily because wildlife managers/government agencies have failed to fully recognize and manage the diverse social values associated with cervids such as recreation, cultural significance, and economic values placed on them by various stakeholders.

DISCUSSION BY THE AUTHOR

As I stated at the beginning of this article, This Is Where We Stand Now according to an analysis of 3008 published peer-reviewed research papers on CWD. This gives us an insight into what has been done, what we have learned to date, so hopefully not to repeat failed methodology and expect different results (the definition of INSANITY). It is ironic that culling and depopulation are claimed to be an effective method to control CWD when all it does is remove animals from the environment. This method has repeatedly failed to stop or control the spread of CWD. One of the greatest problems with depopulation and non-selective culling is that we may be removing some animals which possess the greatest resistance to CWD susceptibility. Dr Chris Seabury, has already said that this has and continues to occur. He has found deer which were CWD “non- detect” (meaning that they did not have it) with GEBV values as high as -0.49 that came from CWD contaminated herds when the farms were depopulated. Many of those deer were living in pens with infected deer on farms with a high CWD prevalence, but never themselves became infected even after years of exposure. There is only one explanation for this, GENETICS! More about this in the following article, Heredity and Breeding CWD Resistance.

Governmental agencies can no longer ignore environmental factors as the most common transmission medium. Regardless if they like it or not, wildlife agencies will need to address the issue of carcass contamination, and sooner or later designate specific sites for the disposal of unwanted parts. They can no longer simply remove heads from deer killed in vehicle collisions as they attempt to collect more samples for testing. They will need to collect the entire carcass and properly dispose of it. I find it shocking that so little research has been done on the economic impact when one looks at the amount of money being spent, this only creates another example of governmental waist of our tax dollars.

Finally, governmental agencies are learning that human behavior is critical for their success, without stakeholders behind them they will fail. This explains why the second greatest number of papers dealt with this very issue. They are currently in a marketing program to persuade hunters and landowners that their intentions are in our best interest. In Florida, one simply needs to look at the 501C-4, the National Deer Association, and its mass marketing efforts using social media. In Western states they were less effective, so they re-introduced and are protecting the most lethal killer of cervids, the wolf. The following is from an article in Veterinary Research, published September 6,2021:

“The role of canine predators in the control of CWD has been discussed previously, suggesting that the selective predation exerted by wolves(Canis lupus), which hunt weak and vulnerable cervids, could represent an important tool to limit CWD contamination of the environment. The reintroduction and protection of wolves in CWD affected areas, although controversial, could be very efficient for the natural control of the disease.”

Unfortunately, predators such as wolves and lions don’t merely kill the weak and vulnerable ... look at what has occurred to the elk and bison herds in Yellowstone !

KEEP YOUR DEER HERD ORGANIZED WITH A PROFICIENT TAGGING SYSTEM

By: Gail Veley • Sponsored by The Kentucky Alternative Livestock Association

As your deer herd grows in number, it becomes increasingly more important to keep them organized through the use of ear tags. In a farm setting, ear tags are typically used to help monitor disease, maintain accurate health, movement and sale records, establish potential research protocols and breeding programs. Using specific colored and numbered ear tags could also “help you keep track of which bucks your deer were produced from,” offers Dustin Blosser, manager since 2021 of Woodard Whitetails in Glasgow, Kentucky. “It’s also a very good way to make sure age classes are in order. While each farm has different ways of doing it, it’s important that it’s done accurately.”

Assessing accurate population trends, survival rates and utilizing proficient management strategies can be several reasons wildlife agencies use ear tags. Tags can come in the form of metal, plastic, scanned electronic identification (EID) tags or even Passive Integrated Transponder (PIT) microchip tags. PIT tags, commonly used by various wildlife agencies, are transplanted under the skin and only activated when a deer passes close by to a specialized antenna and later, accounted for via computer records.

However, deer farmers rely on easyto-read highly visible ear tags as it

makes going through your inventory and finding a deer much faster and easier, Blosser, 26, said. “You don’t realize at first how you might start memorizing tag numbers and which deer are which. Someone rattled off “4012” and I knew what pen this doe was in, and who her parents were right off the top of my head.”

With fawns, smaller, temporary tags are typically attached and subsequently changed out after two months of age for an official farm tag. Blosser recommends using an ear tag clearly visible to the naked eye which can be read in a mere few seconds if necessary. “With our farm tags, the color changes to coincide with the year they were born. We have their number on one side and put our farm name and the sire and dam’s name on the other side. It’s good for farm tours and in letting people know right away about their pedigree. We also use four digits. Tags used this year start with “4” which stands for 2024. With our bucks we put a “B” at the end of the number and attach the tag in their right ear and attach the doe tags in the left ear. It’s really important to pay attention to whether it’s a buck or doe when you’re tagging. Seems like every year we have an intern that gets one or two wrong.”

Rather than just using numbers, ear tags are also available with letters

that (given there are 26 letters in the alphabet) can span over a much longer interval of time compared to numbers. Each farm ear tag should also be accompanied by a mandatory state “premise I.D.” Department of Agriculture tag. Although both can be placed in the same ear, Blosser recommends putting them in opposite ears to avoid potentially losing both should an ear, for example, get stuck in a fence. Likewise, it’s important to invest in fade resistant and very thick durable tags, as deer tend to chew on them. Adding more minerals to their feed is thought to help prevent this from happening, according to research.

Ultimately, an ear tag could help a hunter make a split-second decision, as farm tags get replaced with preserve tags when stocker deer are sold. “If you know what a certain color tag costs, then you can be better prepared when that perfect buck shows up,” Blosser said. “You have the ability to make that splitsecond decision, if need be, and take home the trophy you’ve always wanted.”

GEBV:

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This is FWC's Notice with Proposed Rule Changes Affecting Game Farms and Hunting Preserves

The 4 key takeaways are as follows:

1. Shade can be provided by different structures over the course of the day, " including Natural Vegetation".

2. Water Gap structures shall meet the following criteria:

3. Transport or transfer of live game mammals to or from game farm shall only occur after notification is made to the Commission. Such notification shall be made in accordance with the following:

4. Dissolution of game farms (voluntarily or due to license revocation or non-renewal. Shall do one or more of the following:

Listed below are the most relavant Proposed Rule ChangesPlease follow the attached link on page 43 to read the enitre documents.

1. For game mammals, such shelter shall provide no less than 10 square feet of full shade per animal, ... Shade can be provided by different structures over the course of the day, including natural vegetation.

(i) Water gap structures, if utilized, shall meet the following criteria:

1. Water gap structures shall be constructed and maintained in a manner and condition to prevent escape of captive-reared game maintained on the game farm or entry of native wild game.

2. Water gap structures shall only be utilized in areas containing or likely to contain flowing water.

3. Water gap structures shall be constructed of one or more of the following materials:

a. Rubber belts, not less than one-half (1/2) inch thickness.

b. Welded wire, not less than 9-gauge, or strength-equivalent material, securely attached to a metal frame.

c. Pressure treated lumber, not less than one-inch thickness.

d. Weather-proof composite boards, not less than one-inch thickness.

e. Metal sheets, not less than one-quarter (1/4) inch thickness.

4. Water gap materials shall be securely attached to the fencing material with galvanized metal, stainless steel, or aluminum connecting material. Such connecting materials may be coated with a waterproofing material.

5. Water gap structures consisting of separate hanging units shall have a gap no more than 3 inches between each hanging unit.

6. In areas where water gap structures are utilized, height of water gap structure and fence combined shall be no less than 8 feet in height mea sured from the natural ground level outside of the area susceptible to water flow

7. Water gap structures shall be locked or secured to form an immovable vertical barrier when water is not flowing.

8. Debris which would prevent the water gap structure from being locked or secured in place shall be removed within 24 hours of water receding to normal water level.

9. Water gap structures and materials shall be approved in writing by the Commission before use. Continued on Page

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Continued from Page 44

(b) Transport or transfer of live game mammals to or from the game farm shall only occur after notification is made to the Commission. Such notification shall be made in accordance with the following:

1. Notification shall be made using the provided form through http://www.GoOutdoorsFlorida.com.

2. Such notification report shall include the following:

a. Name and FWC permit number (if in Florida) of the originating facility.

b. Name and FWC permit number (if in Florida) of destination facility.

c. License plate information, including issuing state and number, of transport vehicle and trailer (if applicable).

d. Number and species of animals being moved.

e. Anticipated date and time of movement, if known.

3. If the originating facility is located in Florida, it shall be the responsibility of the originating facility to make such notification.

4. If the originating facility is located outside of Florida, it shall be the responsibility of the destination facility in Florida to make such notification.

5. Once such notification is made, transport shall begin within the following 72 hours.

6. A copy of such notification report shall accompany the wildlife while in transit.

7. After transport is complete, it shall be the responsibility of the destination facility to report the number, species, and individual identification of animals received through http://www.GoOutdoorsFlorida.com no more than 48 hours after receipt of animals. If the destination facility is outside of Florida, it shall be the responsibility of the originating facility in Florida to make such report.

(b) Prior to dissolution of a game farm and subsequent expiration of the current permit, the permittee shall legally dispose of all captive-reared native and non-native game animals authorized under the permit. Game farms under dissolution shall do one or more of the following:

2. Sell or transfer live game animals to a permitted entity.

3. Sell or transfer game animals for food or consumptive purposes.

4. Sell or transfer the game farm and current inventory to a new permittee. All captive-reared native and non-native game animals contained thereon shall remain the responsibility of the permittee until such time that a new permittee becomes permitted and takes responsibility for such captive-reared game.

(c) Commission personnel shall verify all captive-reared native and non-native game animals authorized under the permit have been removed prior to removal of facility’s perimeter fence.

(25) Any person whose permit is revoked or non-renewed shall have 180 days after the final administrative disposition to lawfully dispose of all captive-reared native or non-native game animals.

(b) The facility and wildlife previously authorized under the revoked or non-renewed permit may not be sold or otherwise transferred to any entity within Florida of which such person is an owner, officer, director, principal, employee, or agent or in which such person holds any interest.

(e) Such person shall not serve as an employee, agent, or volunteer, whether paid or unpaid, at any permitted game farm or hunting preserve facility or on behalf of any game farm or hunting preserve permittee for a period of three (3) years following final administrative action.

Use this QR Code to link to the SETDA Website - News Section to see the entire documents related to rule changes on farms and hunting preserves.

RAISING AND KEEPING EXOTICS

KANSAS FARMERS OFFER INSIGHT

By: Gail Veley • Sponsored by KEDA

Holding a homemade plywood shield in one hand and several peanuts in the other, red deer farmer Kevin Constant walks out to his deer pens in the spring to tag newborn red deer calves. A fiercely protective hind (female) stands ready in an instant to defend her baby. Constant, who is also ready to defend himself, tosses peanuts on the ground and then with hyper-focused precision, gets the job done as quickly as possible. While red deer may be heartier and perhaps easier to raise then whitetails, they can also be very aggressive when it comes to protecting their young.

Raising red deer is akin to raising “big cows with big antlers,” said Constant, who, along with his wife Delores, own K & D Wildlife in Meriden, Kansas. “Red deer are very disease resistant and not as flighty as whitetails and are more adaptable to situations. They are more curious than cautious by nature. If you have a pair of gloves in your back pocket, they’ll try to steal them. If they grab them and take off and you chase them, it’s like ‘game on!” he said. “They’ll even climb into your vehicle if you let them.” Started in 2019, Constant, 61, was looking to raise livestock on their 80-acre sprawl. When a local farmer decided to part with his red deer herd, the Constants purchased it and have

been raising red deer ever since. While they appreciate their hardiness, they are also grateful for the low mortality rate the farm has experienced in keeping them. “We only lose about 10% of our babies a year,” he said. “We lost one from sickness that died four years ago, and we might lose one or two a year from new inexperienced mothers or if one comes out backwards.”

Exotic wildlife in general enjoy a more stress-free existence as collectively they are known for their hardiness and inquisitive, laid-back nature. However, curiosity can also prove deadly, as Brad Farmer of Farmer’s Fallow Deer in Viola, Kansas accidentally found out. While he has successfully and diligently raised fallow deer since 1990, he learned early on how much they like to chew on things. “I would caution people to take off the plastic twine and net wrap around hay bales,” Farmer, 63, said. “If ingested, it forms a calcified mass or “rim” around their rumen and fills it up, causing them to starve to death. But, you don’t know it until they are dead.” Shade cloth is another item that exotic deer farmers may want to avoid using as it often gets caught around antlers of curious bucks. “As long as you practice safety measures, fallow deer do really well and adapt to a wide variety of climates,” Farmer added.

Credited for bringing fallow deer to the United States is NADeFA Founder Josef Kerckerinck, who started Lucky Star Ranch in 1979 in Chaumont, New York after immigrating from Germany. Upon establishing his farm, he became steadfast in his desire to promote the venison market, his main motivation for establishing NADeFA. Soon, fallow deer became viable livestock on numerous farms throughout the U.S. and highly sought-after for their meat value. Fallow deer, the most popular exotic species to raise, are either of Mesopotamian descent (larger bodied with wide-base antlers) or European descent (smaller bodied and narrow-base antlers.)

Profit margins for selling exotics such as red deer and fallow can be very reasonable, as both Constant and Farmer feel the market value for their deer makes their efforts worthwhile. While both feed their herds hay, grain and silage (green fodder stored in a silo and fed throughout the winter), they also do quite well with naturally foraging. Raising exotics also requires farmers to obtain a state license. As with Farmer, Constant feels blessed to be able to raise exotics. For this opportunity “thanks be to God,” Constant said. “We believe in the promise of blessings and have seen it over and over in the success of our herd.”

Disclaimer: The information contained in this advertisement is general in nature and is intended for use as an informational aid. It does not cover all possible uses, actions, precautions, side effects, or interactions of the medications shown, nor is the information intended as medical advice or for making an evaluation as to the risks and benefits of using a particular medication. You should consult with your veterinarian about diagnosis and treatment of any health problems. Information and statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), nor has the FDA approved the medications to diagnose, cure or prevent disease. Medications compounded by Mixlab are prepared at the direction of a veterinarian. Mixlab compounded veterinary preparations are not intended for use in food and food-producing animals. Mixlab does not recommend, endorse or make any representation about the efficacy, appropriateness or suitability of any specific dosing, products, procedures, treatments, services, opinions, veterinary care providers, or other information that may be contained in this advertisement. Mixlab is not responsible nor liable for any advice, course of treatment, diagnosis or any other information, services or products that you obtain through this advertisement.

SECONDARY DEER-BASED BUSINESSES PROVIDING INCOME OPPORTUNITIES OUTSIDE OF DEER FARMING

By: Gail Veley • Sponsored by The Minnesota Deer Farmers Association

Finding creative and lucrative ways (within the scope of the deer industry) to subsidize your deer farm may prove beneficial and ultimately cost-effective, offers Mark Volk of Volk Whitetails in Royalton, Minnesota. When Mark and his wife Mary started their 8-acre farm in 2014, fate would later point them in a direction they never saw coming. Today, in addition to raising deer, they also own and operate CuddliEZ, a custom embroidery company that manufactures deer masks with farm logos that keeps Mary extremely (if almost) too busy. This demonstrates there are various ways to turn an additional profit from deer farming, other than just the raising and selling of deer, Volk, 40, explained.

Some of these ways include:

Deer Velvet: Widely used in oriental medicine, deer velvet, when taken as a supplement, is thought to increase joint mobility, overall flexibility, strength, energy and blood flow. Found growing on the outside of buck antlers in the summer, deer velvet contains important chemicals, amino acids and collagen. Antlers

in velvet that are properly trimmed and stored from whitetails, red deer and elk can be sold to interested manufacturers, such as Cervid Labs USA, who purchase elk antlers. Other companies who purchase antlers in velvet can be found with online research.

Deer Capes: A deer cape, essentially the hair and hide from the nose to shoulder of a deer, if properly skinned, can be sold to the taxidermy market to enhance wall mounts. They can also be prepared and used as stand-alone decorative displays.

Urine Collection: Doe and buck urine, used to cover up the scent of hunters while attracting deer to a hunting location, is a popular go-to for hunters. Several deer farmers have taken to the business of collecting, processing and selling deer urine as the demand is very high. Through the construction of special collection stalls, substantial amounts of urine can be collected in a short amount of time, adding to the appeal of starting or contributing to a urine collection and distribution business.

Antler Collection / Selling: Hard deer antlers are used to make a variety of useful items such as tools, jewelry, chew bones for dogs and much more. Single antlers and antler sheds are bought from deer farmers from a wide variety of U.S. companies and are usually priced from $8 to $15 per pound.

Antler Replication / Taxidermy:

Although very time-consuming, antler replication and taxidermy is highly sought out as the demand from hunters for these services is very high. Those in this profession are never without work and devote long hours to perfecting their craft and keeping customers happy.

Farm Tours: A fascination with deer, particularly whitetails, is the driving force behind every deer farmer’s desire to raise deer. Likewise, the general public often shares this fascination and curiosity. For several years Mike Czora and Sandy Malone of Prime Whitetails in Rush, New York offered “Walk with Whitetails,” at a reasonable price to individuals and families interested in an up close and personal experience, after they realized how popular it could be. Turns out they were right.

“Our secondary deer business of making embroidered deer masks has helped us cover the cost of our feed,” Volk said. “It can be vital to look for other ways to financially subsidize your farm. We all know how quickly costs add up and how important having discretionary income can be.”

SETDA MEMBERS BUSINESS CARDS

Hilty Whitetails

Phone (260) 248-1684

1 Year Old Bucks

#1272/392131

#1210/392086

#1300/392156

#1114/392442

#1150/392449

2 Year Old Bucks

#1107/392439

#1143/392447

Ultimate Venison Meatballs

Enjoy these easy baked venison meatballs with your favorite sauce and pasta for a hearty, comforting meal. They’re tender and meaty without any gamey taste. A crowd-pleasing way to enjoy ground venison!

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

• 1 small red or yellow onion, diced (about 1 cup )

• 4 large cloves garlic, minced

• 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar

• 1 teaspoon salt

• 1 teaspoon dried oregano

• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme

• 1/2 teaspoon dried basil

• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

• 1/4 teaspoon dried tarragon

• 1 pound ground venison

• 1/2 pound ground pork

• 1 egg, or flax egg

• 1/4 cup oat flour or breadcrumbs

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F.

2. Add olive oil to a skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add onion to the pan and cook until slightly softened, about 4 minutes. Add balsamic vinegar, garlic, herbs, salt and pepper and cook an additional 2 minutes. Turn off heat and let cool for a couple of minutes.

3. Meanwhile, add the remaining ingredients to a large mixing bowl. Add the cooled onion mixture and using clean hands mix together until thoroughly combined.

4. Using a medium cookie scoop, roll the mixture into balls and place on the baking sheet.

5. Bake for 22-25 minutes until the meatballs are cooked through and golden brown.

6. Use as desired or freeze for use at a later date.