John Stoltzfus
5 Star Genetics 5835 N 1000 W Shipshewana, IN 46565 Phone: (574) 596-2347 jdwhitetails@gmail.com
Lester Eicher
Springfield Whitetails 14905 Springfield Ct Rd Grabill, IN 46741 Cell: (260) 341-3614 springfieldwts@gmail.com
Earl Hershberger
Clear Creek Whitetails 6960 W 200 N Shipshewana, IN 46565
Cell: (260) 350-3506 Fax: (260) 768-4761 earlcvpg@yahoo.com
Heath Alexander Forgotten Mile Whitetails 6675 W 500 N Pennville, IN 47369 Cell: (260) 341-7296 Email: thaeh80@gmail.com
Josie Borkholder
Lone Pine Whitetails 1656 2B Rd Bremen, IN 46506
Home: (574) 248-2675 Fax: (574) 546-4211 josie@pinecreekchainlink.com
Nelson Miller
Antler Ridge Whitetails 71396 CR 25 New Paris, IN 46553 Cell: (574) 312-1349 Fax: (574) 538-2105 nelmiller26@gmail.com
Dr. Darryl Ragland, DVM, Phd 625 Harrison St West Lafayette, IN 47907
Home: (765) 494-3234 Cell: (765) 418-5673 raglandd@purdue.edu
David Schwartz Shallow Pond Whitetails 3990 N 675 W Shipshewana, IN 46565 Cell: (260) 336-1687 shallowpondwts@gmail.comt
Jerry Schwartz
Countryside Whitetails 10852 W 900 N Bourbon, IN 46504 Cell: (574) 907-9457 Fax: (574) 546-0390
**Erica Bratton (574) 220-5652 ~ indianadeer@gmail.com
Lonnie Whetstone Whetstone Brothers Premier Whitetails 228 Ply-Goshen Trail Nappanee, IN 46550
Phone: (574) 248-9188 Fax: (574) 773-2371 Office@WhetstoneBrothers.com
Lance Whitsell
Valhala Farm 1277 West Scratch Gravel Rd Liberty, IN 47353
Phone: (513) 839-5001 lance.whitsell71@gmail.com
Rober Yoder
Cedar Road Deer Farm 6664 Cedar Rd Bremen, IN 46506
Phone: (574) 646-2504 purchasinghid@gmail.com
Chair: Dr. Ragland Committee: Andy Aker, Lance Whitsell
Chair: Lester Eicher Committee: Trevor Vance
Chair: Josie Borkholder Committee: Robert Yoder
Chair: Josie Borkholder Co-Chair: Lonnie Whetstone
Member Relations: Erica Bratton Food: Jerry Schwartz Committee: Earl Hershberger, Nelson Miller, Brian Bratton, John Stoltzfus, Robert Yoder, Heath Alexander, David Schwartz, Lance Whitsell.
Chair: Earl Hershberger Committee: Nelson Miller, David Schwartz
Chair: Dr. Ragland Committee: Shelly Chavis, Shawn Schafer
Hello Members,
I could not be more excited about 2022. This past year was a great year to be a deer farmer. It amazes me how deer farmers come together to help one another. I look forward to all the new things happening in 2023.
Hope everyone had a great summer and fawning season. Now that breeding season is behind us it is time to look forward to upcoming deer auctions. Auctions are always a great place to catch up with the latest and meet new friends.
The Board is working on the 2023 summer picnic plans with new ideas and trying to make it better. 2022 was a tremendous success. Thanks to all who helped and participated, without our Members, it could not happen.
Have fun over the holidays and spend time with family.
Thanks, Your President John Stotlzfus
Greetings, Members!
It sure seems that this year has flown by, but then again, I feel like we say that every year at this time.
Hoping that everyone stays healthy as the cooler weather moves in.
Memberships run from January 1st to December 31st. If you have not yet renewed for 2023, please take the time to fill out your form located in this book and send in.
Wishing everyone a safe and happy Holiday season.
Erica Bratton
Administrative Secretary Cell: 574-220-5652 Fax: 952-955-6022 indianadeer@gmail.com
5 Star Genetics 6
Antlers by Design 38
Blessed Bayou 44
Blosser Whitetails 24
C&E Wildlife Products 12
Cedar Road Whitetails 14
Cervid Solutions, LLC 10
Clay Kuntry 20
Clear Creek Whitetails 29
Cougar Ridge Whitetails Back Cov.
CuddliEZ 32
D&M Whitetails
Dan-Inject North America 17
Eden Meadow Whitetails 51
EzID, LLC 38
Head Gear, LLC
Hilty Whitetails 52
Horizon Whitetails 43
Illini Whitetails 21
J & L Ranch 22
Jo Jo’s Whitetails 19, 30
Mountain Side Whitetails 36
NexGen Compounding 50
Pine Acres Whitetails ................. In. B. Cov.
Pine Creek Chain Link 41
Pine Creek Deer Farm 15, 16, 42
Pneu-Dart 7
Prairie View Whitetails ...... Center Spread
Prime Acres Whitetails Cover, 5, 11
Purina 48
Rolling Acres Whitetails 39
Shallow Pond Whitetails 45
Springfield Whitetails 49
The Forgotten Mile 46
Thompson Trophy Whitetails 37
Trophy Whitetails 25
Whetstone Brothers 34
Whitetail Sales and Auction In. F. Cov.
Woodard Whitetails 28
Yoder Brothers Whitetails 12
Zehr Bros Whitetails 9
As the deer industry evolves, the North American Deer Registry (NADR) is evolving right along with it. Begun in 2007 to validate the industry by providing information on DNA and pedigrees, NADR, located in Edmond, Oklahoma, is now incredibly specific with the information it provides. In the summer of 2021, new CWD Genetic Assay Technology (investigative procedures that measure the presence of a targeted entity) was introduced and is currently utilized using approximately 50,000 genetic markers. This new assay provides Genetic Estimated Breeding Values (GEBV’s) to allow breeders to determine each animal’s susceptibility to CWD and make future breeding decisions in order to “move away” from this disease.
This CWD technology was only a dream when NADR, in its infancy, studied 18 markers merely for the construction of simple, non-disease related genetic maps for parentage. “The technologies then were very rudimentary and had been around for years in the cattle and sheep industry,” said NADR Executive Director Gary Cook. “They focused primarily on pinpointing the most accurate DNA analysis possible at the time.” As DNA technology advanced and NADR partnered with Dr. Chris Seabury and Texas A & M to license technology that shifted the focus to genotyping and identifying SNP molecular markers found in DNA, it resulted in 400 identifying markers utilized for parentage in whitetail
and mule deer. In addition, in 2016, NADR selected a new organization, Neogen (Geneseek), with state-ofthe-art laboratories all over the globe including Lincoln, Nebraska, to facilitate the transition to this new technology. To date, NADR has tested 350,000 fallow, mule and whitetail tissue samples combined, with a goal of providing official pedigree services for fallow deer later this year. Having a NADR registered deer doesn’t merely provide a handy reference for pedigrees, breeding values or breeding decisions. It’s a necessity should one wish to qualify for a consignment auction or prove their deer’s value to a potential buyer.
The efforts of two valued organizations, NADeFA and the Texas Deer Association (TDA), allowed NADR, a 501c4 organization, to become a reality. Several years later, Venados De Mexico (VDM) joined as an organization. NADR is comprised of a team of dedicated scientists and office administrators as well as a 14-member volunteer board, five from NADeFA, two from VDM, five from TDA as well as NADeFA Executive Director Shawn Schafer and TDA Executive Director Kevin Davis. To become a NADR customer, one must first be an active voting member of the TDA, NADeFA or VDM and submit DNA samples to NADR in tissue tubes. Samples could include pulled (not shaved) hair between 30-50 millimeters long from the underside of the tail, an antler core from the base of a shed antler, semen straws or used semen straws with the cotton plug still intact. Sample
submission options include an excel spreadsheet, GMS software or manually. Cook emphasizes shipping samples that will arrive on a weekday, and to include with your sample all possible sire and dam NADR numbers including A.I. and backup bucks.
NADR, who tests on average 25,000 deer per year, sends certificates to owners once results are completed. All results are confidential and available online. However, no one but NADR and its members have access to the results.
“We work very hard to offer the best in a genetic registry,” Cook said. “We continuously seek ways to provide knowledge and state of the art services to our customers.”
Reach NADR staff by calling 405-5137228, faxing 405-513-7238, sending an email to nadr@deerregistry.com or visiting their website at www. deerregistry.com.
NADR is located at 1601 Medical Center Drive, Suite 1 Edmond, OK, 73034
By: Gail Veley • Sponsored by SETDA
When asked whether wildlife predators or cervid diseases are a bigger threat to cervid longevity, SETDA Board of Directors Member Bill Leffler didn’t hesitate to offer an answer. “Can you stop a panther or coyote with a vaccine?” he asked. “We have predators all year long. Not diseases.” At his deer paradise he’s operated for seven years, 2 Base Down Farms in Morriston, Florida comprised of a 107-acre typical breeding farm and 325-acre hunting preserve, Leffler, like all conscientious deer farmers, defines a predator as “anything that can hurt or kill a deer.”
In the warmer, tropical and inviting climate of Florida, a wider variety of predators are more abundantly found than in colder or more northern
climates. According to internet research, the Number One common predator in Florida is the American alligator, where it is estimated more than 1.3 million thrive. Of the 410 recorded alligator attacks on humans in Florida since 1948, 25 resulted in death. “I’ve lost black buck fawns to alligators,” Leffler, 64, said. The second most-deadliest common predator after the alligator is the black bear followed by the bull shark, jellyfish, fire ants, rattlesnakes, ticks, feral pigs or boars, mosquitoes and coyotes. While panthers are also considered a deadly predator, they are also highly endangered with an estimated 120-230 left in the wild, making them more elusive and difficult to reduce.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission creates, enforces and regulates rules regarding all classes of wildlife within its borders. Yet, no matter what type of wildlife predators may threaten your deer farm, the first step in managing them is complying with the rules and regulations in your particular state regarding their reduction, Leffler emphasized. According to Florida Fish and Wildlife, predation management plans, aimed at reduction rather than elimination, often can be put into play when evidence of predators causes a reduction in game populations, and a regulated harvest of that animal is not adequate control. In addition to following state regulations and protocol for trapping and reduction, deer farmers often design their farms to simply deny predator access. “One of our biggest problems besides coyotes are wild dogs that have been turned loose who form packs,” Leffler said. “The only way to keep them out is to take predator wire and put it on the outside of your perimeter fence with
galvanized wire and hog-ring crimped to the bottom. When a canine attempts to dig under it, it will stop it. Or you can run electrified wire approximately eight to 12 inches off the ground.” Perhaps just as important as sufficient fencing is the comfort that in Florida, coyotes can be shot year-round as they are not protected or endangered. While some deer farmers use crops and blackout or shade cloth to “hide” their animals, it is not nearly as effective as taking the necessary steps to keep them outside your fencing.
In addition to canines, bobcats can cause considerable headaches to deer farmers during fawning season as they can easily climb fences and jump high into the air in pursuit of prey. Florida law permits legal unlimited “bagging” or hunting of bobcats during fur-bearing animal season which runs from December 1st through March 1st each year. However, other fur-bearing animals such as disease carrying raccoons, possums, skunks and squirrels can be hunted year-round and can create even greater risks to deer than migratory birds like ravens, if they urinate or defecate on feed. “In the end, utilizing a licensed trapper to help you can be an invaluable asset. Your best defense is to also know what predators you may be up against, and work compliantly with your state to devise a plan to protect both you and your deer as you reduce the insult to farming,” Leffler emphasized. “Your knowledge and efforts will pay off.”
The site of blood on a buck’s antler should mean one thing to any deer farmer. Drop everything and treat it. Whether treatment involves cutting the antlers or administering first aid in the form of antibiotics or topical ointments “don’t push it off until the next day,” said Joe Miller of Kentucky Whitetails, a 17-acre deer farm home to approximately 90 whitetails in Guthrie, Kentucky. “You can’t say ‘I will do it tomorrow.’ The possibility of serious problems or losing that buck to a blood infection is real.”
Although not formally recognized as a predator in the traditional sense, flies can cause blood infections should they lay eggs in an untreated infected antler and maggots result. “If you can control the flies, you have a better chance of avoiding this,” offers Nathan Blosser of Blosser Whitetails, a 50-acre farm with close to 400 whitetail deer in Buffalo, Missouri. Miller and Blosser agree that feeding topical ivermectin on deer feed can be a good defense against maggots as well as a worthwhile proactive health measure.
While injuries such as those caused from feeders or fencing can cause antler damage, shedding season also poses risks if antlers aren’t shed within a day, advised Miller, and recommends all deer farmers own a Callicrate Velvet Antler Bander to safely cut antlers and minimize bleeding for such occasions. “The bigger the antlers, the harder time they have shedding them,” said Miller, 65, a deer farmer since 1999. “If they aren’t shed in a day, flies can get in there and poison them. If so, we dart them when it’s cool, cut the antlers and clean them from the base and leave about three inches. Then we give a heavy dose of ivermectin and a shot of the long-lasting antibiotic Draxxin and sometimes a regular dose of penicillin
on top of it. We also put caustic powder on the ends to help it heal faster. Some farmers like to burn the tips. We’ve never done that.”
Congruently, Blosser, 56, has found in addition to using antibiotics, that Melaluca oil is excellent at deterring flies while penetrating into and cleaning antlers. He also uses Aluma Shield (used traditionally on wounds in horse hooves) that creates an aerosol bandage to protect from outside elements. Although both Blosser and Miller only see infected antlers less than a handful of times each year on their prospective farms, each had more cases earlier on in their deer farming careers. As a result, Miller, who prefers to raise typicals with a “little extra,” constructed a better feeder with 6 x 6 posts placed ten feet apart accompanied by eight or 10-inch PVC pipe after seeing the antler damage the original one had caused. “Now, if they jerk their head up, they won’t hit anything. Most of the time It’s the drop tines or more non-typical frames that can give you the biggest problems with catching or hitting things,” he added.
Drop tines, combined with reaching under fencing to get to grass can be another major cause of antler damage,
Blosser uses this type of feeder on his deer farm
Blosser found, who also prefers to raise typicals with a “little extra.” “So don’t leave your deer in bare pens if there is tempting grass growing right on the other side of it,” he said. “This type of management and prevention is the key to avoiding antler damage along with regularly observing your animals. If caught early enough, an antler infection can show improvement in one day. If not and the infection has become septic, it may take a buck as long as two weeks to be back to normal. Taking action early along with fly control is important in keeping your herd healthy.”
Lastly, no matter how bad you believe an antler infection is “you’ve always got to try and save them,” Miller said. “With all the time and effort put into raising them, it’s always worth trying.”
owner of Custom Pro Friction Calls and the man who taught Glenn to turkey hunt. After hearing about Archer’s first hunt, he surprised Glenn with a picture of Archer holding his first turkey, along with a personal inscription for Archer. In sharing a love of the outdoors with Archer and his other young son Lincoln, 9, Glenn, 53, feels “it’s paramount to appreciate nature and spend time with them outside. There’s not a better morning than being out in the woods. It’s my favorite time of day.”
This enables us to enjoy year-round family-centered outdoor activities and to also be deer enthusiasts,” he said. “This involves working together as associations and staying abreast of current regulations and any proposed changes that affect us and standing up for our rights and practices of land ownership, management and stewardship.”
“Now whatever you do, don’t blow up Dad’s new decoy,” Glenn Dice affectionately told his young son Archer as they called in turkeys and waited during a spring 2021 hunt in their home state of Pennsylvania. When a big curious, striking gobbler checked out the decoy then stepped a few feet away, Archer, then 10, took his first shot ever as a hunter. Bingo. The victorious turkey hunt was followed by one in Florida this past spring and yet one more a month later back in Pennsylvania with another father and son. As the four eagerly waited in the cool predawn, competitive gobblers soon came running in, yet Archer appeared to hesitate. “Why aren’t you taking a shot?” Glenn whispered. “I don’t want to shoot your decoy,” Archer replied. Glenn quickly responded, “I don’t care about the decoy just shoot the darn turkey!” And with that, Archer’s aim was triumphant. He was the only one in the group to harvest anything that day.
The three bullet shells responsible for harvesting those three turkeys, each inscribed with Archer’s name, are kept on Glenn’s desk. He’s not only thrilled that his son shares one of his favorite pastimes, he’s also proud of his love of nature and the outdoors. Sharing that pride along with Glenn is Jeff Graham,
Nationally, hunting is a multi-milliondollar industry responsible for substantial annual revenue. In 2021, revenue from hunting licenses was reported at $902,356,898, a $3 million increase from 2020. The top six states for issuing hunting licenses are typically Colorado at approximately $59 million followed by Texas at $47 million, Wisconsin at $41 million, Minnesota at $39 million, Pennsylvania at $37 million and Michigan also at $37 million. Even the tiny state of Rhode Island registered 26,690 hunters in 2021.
The most popular and number one animal to hunt is a whitetail deer followed by turkeys, elk and bear. While the interest in hunting is showing no signs of slowing down, without youth remaining interested in nature, hunting and the outdoors, subsequent decades may tell a different story. Vigilant deer farmers and preserve owners in Pennsylvania and in other states have a responsibility to ensure future generations embrace this same love, Glenn emphasized. “Being involved allows you to share your passion for the outdoors as well as collaborate on regulation development.
While Archer is poised to perpetuate this philosophy, he has yet to hunt whitetail, partially due to the fact that they are raised on the family farm, Glenn Dice Farms in Chambersburg. However, he has expressed an interest in trying. After they explore whitetail hunting sometime in the near future in Pennsylvania, Glenn and Archer may plan a Utah vacation to hunt mule deer. In the meantime, Glenn is working steadfast to maintain a constant presence in Washington on behalf of deer farmers, and to give back to an industry that has been so good to him and his family.
If you would like your farm or business featured on our business card pages, email digital pdf file or scanned image (must be readable resolution) of your business card to the email address below.
This gives IDEFA members a way to reach out to one another for services and to buy or sell deer! There will be limited pages for these card spreads, first come first serve. The overflow would be placed in the next issue and cards will be rotated each quarter.
Email to: Erica Bratton
Nutrient rich formula contains highly bioavailable ingredients, including our proprietary calcium/phosphorous complex with Antler D TM, that are required to support body and bone growth, especially for fast growing bucks
Contains probiotics and targeted enzymes to support gut health and proper digestion
Available in pellet or powder that can be top dressed or mixed in feed. Great for antler growing season and young bucks, too
Provides optimal levels of magnesium, Vitamin B1 and inositol to promote calmness and provide help for restless animals
Contains no herbals, tryptophan or chemicals, eliminating concerns of unwanted side effects
Use PeaceMaker to “keep the peace” during pre-rut, rut, transportation, weaning and anytime destructive behavior may occur
Helps maintain digestive health and productivity
Contains micro-encapsulated probiotics, targeted enzymes and a novel fiber complex
Use in does before fawning, during lactation and all cervids during times of environmental stress
Helps maintain normal digestive health Supports a healthy immune system
What a great year it’s been, hope everyone has been blessed as we have in life. It’s great to live in a community of many blessings and friendships, another cycle in the life of deer farming has been accomplished and we can all keep doing the things we need and enjoy.
We look forward to the HOLIDAYS and deer auctions in the near future, family’s getting together is something we need to be THANKFUL for.
Wish you all Happy Holidays and hope to see you at the auctions.
A.R.W. / Nel
Back In Black/Major League/High Heat/Danger/Hardcore/Heather
Blackjack/Major League/Gunslinger/Maxbo XL/Heather
Blackjack/Venom/Judge’s Prodigy/Danger/Hardcore/Heather
Cruiser/Jumbo/Fed Ex/Texas Tea/Texas Girl (Jumbo Classic’s womb sister)
Cruiser/Voodoo’s Magic/Big Stitch/Golden Danger’s sister
Navigator/Cruiser/Voodoo’s Magic/Big Stitch/Golden Danger’s sister (Jasper’s womb sister)
Toxic/Blackjack/Jumbo Dream/Danger/Hardcore/Heather
Major League/20-28/Rolex/Pink 12
Jasper/Gunfighter/Jumbo Dream/Danger/Hardcore/Heather
Cruiser/Jumbo Power Girl
Jumbo Classic/Danger/Hardcore/Heather
Jumbo Classic/Cruiser/Voodoo’s Magic/Big Stitch/Golden Dan ger’s Sister
1. B oil the egg noodles according to package directions and set aside . 2. a dd the olive oil to a large skillet and heat over medium - high heat . a dd the ground elk and cook until done . 3. a dd the finely chopped onion , minced garlic , and fresh mushrooms , and cook until softened . 4. a dd the flour to the skillet and stir to com B ine . 5. s lowly add the B roth , stirring as you add . t hen , stir in the heavy cream . a dd the w orcestershire and stir . l astly , season with salt and pepper . 6. r educe heat to low and simmer for five minutes . 7. r emove from heat a dd the sour cream and cooked egg noodles , stirring to com B ine . g arnish with fresh parsley , if desired , and serve immediately .
