KY Fall 2022 EBook

AR&R

Blessed Bayou

Blosser Whitetails 28

Bonehead Whitetails In. B. Cover

C&E Wildlife Products 31

Cervid Solutions, LLC 48

Clay Kuntry Whitetails 30

CuddliEZ 10

Dan-Inject North America 25

Derby City Whitetails 10

EZid, LLC 46

Head Gear LLC 15

Hilty Whitetails 19

Illini Whitetails 37

Jo Jo’s Whitetails 44

Kentucky Whitetails Cover, 8-9

Living

Pine Acres Whitetails 14

Pine Creek Deer Farm

Pneu-Dart, Inc 18

Prime Acres Whitetails

Purina 52

Rocky Ridge Whitetails 21, 38

Solid Rock Whitetails In. F. Cover

Springfield Whitetails Center Spread, Back Cov.

Sunrise Supply, LLC 12

Thompson Trophy Whitetails 23

KENTUCKY ALTERNATIVE LIVESTOCK ASSOCIATION - BOD’S WWW.KALAKY.NET

Tony Maddox

EXECUTIVE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Jason Becker

PRESIDENT

Campbellsville, KY jasonbecker757@gmail.com 757-692-5820

Jake Anderson

VICE PRESIDENT

925 Guston Rd Guston KY 40142 janderson@theluskgroup.com 270-547-8432

DIRECTORS

Chance Groves

11158 New Bowling Green Rd Smiths Grove KY 42171 hdwhitetailbreeders@gmail.com 270-308-0973

CHAIRMAN

725 Rabbit Town Rd Winchester KY 40391 solidrockwhitetails@yahoo.com 859-556-7253 • 239-340-1171

PRESTON THOMAS

SECRETARY

Princeton KY 42445 prestonthomasfarms@gmail.com 270-889-1001

WES BREWER

TREASURER Hodgenville KY 42748 mwb5304@yahoo.com 502-297-1309

David Miller

1873 Forestville Rd Mumfordville KY 42765 270-537-5357

David Kotsch

4217 Mount Pleasant Rd Cromwell KY 42333 ddkotsch@hotmail.com 615-969-9283

Henry Woodard

9776 Roseville Rd Glasgow KY 42141 woodardpropertiestn@gmail.com 423-595-8898

Ethan Woosley

9064 Shrewsbury Road Leitchfield, KY 42754 Singlecreekwhitetails@gmail.com 270-316-9698

Joe Miller

4195 Penchem Rd Guthrie KY 42234 jmgreenlandsod@safecom.link 270-483-2140

MEMERSHIP DUES:

Regular Voting Membership $100 Out of State Associate Membeship $50 (non-voting)

I hereby make application for membership the Kentucky Alternative Livestock Assocation.

I agree to confirm to the bylaws and code of ethics governing the association.

Signature Date: ______________________

Memberhip Application

Member Name: Farm Name: New Member: ________ Renewal: ________ Address: Phone: Email:

Online application avaliable on our Website: kalaky.net

Mail to: Jason Becker 737 Finely Ridge Road Campbellsville, KY JasonBecker757@gmail.com 757-692-5820

On behalf of the Kentucky Alternative Livestock Association we would like to extend our gratitude to everyone that truly made this year an epic success! This year we had an annual fundraising event unlike anything in Kentucky history, and it was a smashing success! We greatly appreciate everyone & your support! This year has been incredibly busy for all of us, often it is easier to not communicate as much with our family, and even with our friends and business associates, but good communication can be the deciding factor in the future continuation of a healthy working relationship. I know I have made many mistakes throughout my life simply because I didn’t document properly, or properly communicate something, but we all learn from these mistakes and strive to do better in the future. I recommend the use of a journal, Game Management Software, or simply taking notes on a sticky note. You are probably asking yourself how GMS factors into this equation, but it has proved to be a very resourceful tool for not only keeping track of and matching pedigrees, inventory, & sending off DNA info, but you can make notes so that you don’t forget an important event or important information. Hopefully everyone is having a great beginning to breeding season! The anticipation of the future potential is very exciting, but we have to remember to live in the moment and enjoy it as it comes, both the good and the bad.

Thank you, Ethan S. Woosley Social Media & Magazine Chairman

2022 Event Sponsors

NORTH DAKOTA

A GREAT STATE TO ESTABLISH A DEER FARM

By: Gail Veley • Sponsored by The North Dakota Deer Ranchers Association

Mikeand Kristy Ryckman aren’t too concerned about giving away one of the best kept secrets of North Dakota: It’s a superb state for deer farming. “I feel safe to say we could double the amount of deer farmers we have here currently, and still would not meet all the demand we have,” Mike Ryckman, 38, owner of Ryckman Whitetails in Linton (south central North Dakota) said. Now in their seventh year of deer farming “we are at the beginning of an uptick in the market,” he explained. “We have new people who are interested and are seeking to act upon it. Quality conversations have been started.”

“The interest I have seen from potential new deer farmers is almost alarming,” he added. “At least five new farms have been started in the last year. And, I get a lot of people who drive by who see our farm, stop to talk and have a lot interest in getting involved.” North Dakota offers supportive legislation with the powers that be: The North Dakota Game and Fish Department as well as The North Dakota Department of Agriculture and Animal Health. Both entities require inspection of properties of would-be deer farmers, however, The Dept. of AG requires and issues a yearly, renewable nontraditional livestock license for $15 per species, said Dr. Beth Carlson, DVM. A secondary permit to possess, propagate or domesticate protected wildlife (PPD

Permit) is required by ND Game and Fish. There is no fee for the PPD Permit and all necessary paperwork is handled through The Dept. of AG. Additional requirements include constructing an eight feet tall game fence for deer pens and an on-site handling facility, as well as the stipulation that a fawning pen not exceed 160 acres.

Deer farmers in North Dakota not only appreciate deer farmer-friendly legislation, they also appreciate the colder weather that helps grow bigger bodied and heartier deer. According to internet research, winter days in North Dakota average 24 degrees, spring days average 52 degrees, summer days average 80 degrees while fall days average 66 degrees. Along with those temperatures comes humidity and frequent wind, making those who help care for their deer as hearty as the livestock they feel so passionate about.

Acquiring deer for your farm can be easier if you buy them from within the state’s borders, advised Bob Miller of Evolution Whitetails in Bismarck, (central) North Dakota. Moving deer inside of North Dakota as well as outside state borders is a relatively easy process. Moving them into North Dakota is slightly harder. However, that didn’t stop Miller, 50, from starting his farm in 2017 and high fencing 15 acres for his prized herd. Having been born and raised in North Dakota, Miller and

his wife Shelly don’t mind a few colder days throughout the year in exchange for the opportunities they have to own a substantial amount of land shared by the family horses, as well as their beloved deer farm.

Although North Dakota “opens the door” to make starting a deer farm a reality, both Ryckman and Miller hold full time professional jobs elsewhere and fully understand it takes at least three to four years of hard work before your farm might start turning a profit. Having recently bought 44 head of deer from another farmer who needed to sell, Miller may need to wait a bit longer before realizing a true profit. Nonetheless, both Miller and Ryckman wouldn’t trade their deer farm for anything else. “I’m extremely happy with it and look forward to being able to just enjoy life,” said Miller, whose vision includes leaving his current career to be a full-time deer farmer. And while he caters to the stocking end of the industry - like all deer farmers – he would be thrilled to also own a prize breeding buck. “I’d take a ‘Blackjack’ any day,” he said.

Current and future association members should plan on attending the NDRA annual meeting, whose date and location have yet to be determined. Call Ryckman for more details at 701-527-2101.

THE BEST PROTOCOLS FOR SELLING DEER

By: Gail Veley • Sponsored by the Illinois Deer Farmers Association

Establishing

and cultivating trusting relationships between parties is seen by those in the deer business, as the most important priority for both the selling and buying of whitetail deer. In an industry where friendships run deep and reputations are built on solid, reliable production, trust is needed to take the risks involved in this inevitable transaction. “Everyone is taking a risk whether you are buying or selling deer,” said Rick Davidson of Illinois Dominant Bucks in Marshall, Illinois. Davidson, 49, who has been in the industry for 24 years and who both buys and sells deer, shares a common desire felt among deer farmers. “I always pay up front. I would think every deer farmer would want that, too,” he said. “If I buy a deer and release it into my preserve it may or may not be harvested, but that deer farmer deserves to be paid regardless. He spent two or more years raising that deer.”

Although a vast majority of deer farmers are paid at the time of the sale “I’ve heard so many horror stories about guys who were never paid,” Davidson added. Congruently, after being in the business for several years, Rusty Karr of Illinois Dominant Genetics in Wapella, Illinois has learned in his experience “if you’re not paid until later, you will only get paid one out of ten times.” In what

he often times feels is a “cutthroat” business, Karr, who sold close to 90 deer in 2020, strongly advocates not giving credit to someone you do not know well or trust. “If someone wants to buy deer from me, they need to call me two or three months ahead of time and build a relationship with me,” he said. Karr, 45, also shares this important advice. “If you sell more than five deer you need to get paid up front on some of them,” he said. “Make sure your buyer is going to be reliable. Always ask for a deposit. If they can’t afford a deposit, then they can’t afford a deer.”

Contracts might seem to be a reasonable way to ensure payment, yet Grant Carrolan of Hidden Hollow Whitetails in Marion, Illinois feels a level of trust between sellers and buyers can be worth more. “I know someone whose been working with same person for 12 years buying his deer,” he said. “And he doesn’t get paid until the following January for all the deer. But he’s been paid every single time for between $30,000 and $50,000 worth of deer.” While that system may have worked well for those individuals “I know one guy who had sold a dozen deer and was getting paid over six months. He got a check when the deer were picked up, one a few months later and a then final check. He did not like that,” Carrolan said. “The risk incurred from a preserve owner (acquiring and keeping deer) is so minimal compared to a deer farmer and yet we’re both making same amount of money.”

Spreading payments out over time may require the seller to “keep tabs” on their deer. “But you don’t need to do that if the money comes immediately,” Carrolan, 39, emphasized. He also feels that selling deer as a “package deal” works better if each deer is still individually priced,

rather than placing equal value on every deer included in the group. In the event that a deer in this situation perish, a value established prior to the incident and may help eliminate future payment discrepancies.

Perhaps even better than being paid up front is being paid in advance, providing added incentive for the seller to keep the deer healthy and thriving. “I know one preserve owner who prepays 50% of the total cost up front and the rest when the deer are picked up from the seller,” Carrolan said. However, many reputable preserve owners, who always honor their commitment to pay for deer they have acquired, must wait until hunters pay them, in order to have the necessary funds to pay the deer farmer.

It was 2 a.m. in 2018, when newly established deer farmer James Perry of Drop Tine Whitetails in Marshall, Illinois sold his first deer. After the buyer’s deer hauler finally arrived and the two prepared to load the deer, the hauler announced that the buyer did not provide him with a check when Perry inquired. Perry, 49, reluctantly agreed to let the deer go and be paid later. “I was pretty uncomfortable about it,” he admitted. “I assumed I was going to get paid right then and should have clarified it. But a check came in the mail a month and a half later and I was very relieved.” In order to achieve the highest level of success in the industry “I think especially if you are small, take time to develop relationships with other deer farmers and preserve owners in your state or region,” Perry said. “Being a part of a close-knit group really helps. After purchasing my farm, I went and met Greg Mills when he was president of our association, and he was a lot of help. He encouraged me to join the IDFA association and since then I have developed a couple of close relationships. It makes a huge difference getting in these groups and having their support.”

2022 Kala Kids events

Photo credit: Dan Verrips

KALA FARM FEATURE

BLUE MOON WHITETAILS

Witha passion for farming as well as hunting deer, it only made sense that Tyler Helson of Hancock County, Kentucky would one day own a deer farm. “I grew up on a row crop farm and, as a young person, I often thought that if I could put farming and deer together, I would be set for the rest of my life,” Tyler recollects, Fast forward to 2019 when, just out of high school, he came home one night and fortuitously happened to see a Sportsman’s TV program called Conquest 200 which sparked the idea in his mind that deer farming could actually become a reality for him. “From that fateful night,” as Tyler says, “It was on!” By 2020, Tyler’s dream of deer farming had come true and BlueMoon Whitetails was born.

Tyler recommends that anyone who is considering the deer business be sure to visit as many deer farms

as you can. He also feels that it is very important to spend some time designing your deer pens before you begin building them, including any future pens that may need to be added. Another important piece of advice from Tyler is to ask a lot of questions. The old wise saying-- “The only dumb question is the one not asked”--definitely holds true in this instance. “Get all the information you can get before you start,” according to the young owner of BlueMoon Whitetails.

“It’s really hard to pinpoint just one thing that I wish I had known before I started raising deer,” muses Tyler, “because there is so much that goes into deer farming--researching pedigrees, knowing which medications to use, working and handling the deer. The list of needto-know information is very long, so, like I said, you should research, plan, and ask questions.”

The biggest challenge that BlueMoon Whitetails has faced in its short history has been having the proper amount of space. Tyler keeps a regular rotation on his deer pens, but feels that it has been

challenging. However, he admits that everything is working out fine.

“My biggest accomplishment is how far I have come and how much I’ve grown in the short time that I’ve been deer farming,” Tyler says proudly. “I started putting the operation together right after I graduated high school in 2019 and got my first deer at the beginning of 2020. There’s no better feeling that to be able to put my hands on some of the bucks that I have raised and to consider that my operation has turned out just like I had it pictured before I began.”

Tyler and his BlueMoon Whitetails Farm has big plans and dreams. Watch out because with good fortune and a lot of hard work, Tyler plans for his farm to be bigger and better each year! Keep up the good work, young man. Your friends in KALA want you to be a great success, and we are behind you every step of the way.

Antler

PLAN ADEQUATELY FOR NATURAL DISASTERS

By: Gail Veley - Sponsored by Whitetails of Louisiana

With incorrigible weather patterns becoming increasingly stronger and more frequent in recent years, for both hurricanes and tornados, deer farmers should plan adequately this spring to protect their animals and property. “The biggest thing you need to be mindful of with wind, are the trees around your fences and buildings,” explains Bray Bollinger of 2 Brothers Whitetail in Loranger, Louisiana. “Make sure when you are building a fence to avoid the possibility of trees that could fall on it, or trees that could compromise your house or outbuildings.”

Many deer farmers in southern states suffered losses and damages as a result of strong weather systems such as Hurricane Ida, a Category Four hurricane that formed on August 26th, 2021. According to internet research, the storm was responsible for 115 fatalities as well as destruction in Louisiana, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Virginia and New Jersey. The year 2021 was the sixth consecutive year of above average tropical cyclone activity and the third most active on record. In addition, it was the fourth most-costly year for those effected, following behind hurricane damage caused in 2017, 2012 and 2005.

Hurricanes, whose season is typically between June 1st and November 1st on any given year, have also begun forming earlier. Tropical storm Ana formed on May 22nd, 2021, the seventh year in a row this phenomenon has occurred. However, hurricanes are not the only destructive forces a deer farmer may deal with. Deer farmers in Oklahoma as well as in states such as Kansas, Indiana, Illinois, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Kentucky face seasonal tornadoes. According to the internet, 1,254

tornadoes were reported nationwide in 2021. On December 10th, 2021, a massive tornado lasting close to three hours with 190 mph winds blasted through Kentucky, caused major damage in at least five cities.

With strong winds being a major component of these types of storms, Bollinger recommends chaining your gates and shut “because they could blow right open and snap off past what you already use,” he said. “It doesn’t have to be a major chain but something with a lock. Lock all gates internally and externally. We’ve had it happen once when we didn’t do that, and our gates blew wide open.” Should shade cloth be attached to your fencing, Bollinger recommends removing it in the event a storm is predicted. “If you leave it up, it could pull your fence right down with it,” he said.

As important as fence locks and netting maintenance, is the literal strength and placement of your fence. “Every four “T”-posts you should put in a bigger line post for added support,” Bollinger said. “However, you don’t want your fence too strong. You want your fence to have a little “give” to it so a deer can bounce off of it and not get hurt, but you also want something that can withstand heavy winds. Also, be aware of how flooding affects your property, and make sure water doesn’t push up against the fence.”

Lastly, wrapping chains around large, older established trees such as oak trees, is also something Bollinger highly recommends, to avoid the trunks splitting and the potential loss of a revered tree. “Remember as much as you try to protect trees and fences and property, there’s only so much you can do. Everyone has their struggles, anywhere you live,” Bollinger said. “Just do your best to be prepared.”

KALA FARM FEATURE

THE GROVES FAMILY AT HD WHITETAILS

It’sso true that families who work together stay together. The “blood, sweat, and tears” that are shared while trying to reach a common goal help keep each family member focused and determined. Such is the desire that the Groves family had in 2017 when they were considering their options for a project that they could work on together. Danny, Chance, and their son, Hunter all agreed that they would enjoy having something to do as a family that would keep them focused on the same goal. It was during this time, that they first considered starting a Whitetail deer operation.

When the Groves family were first exploring the idea of becoming deer farmers, they each had some unique reasons for considering this option. Hunter was nearing high school graduation, so they wanted to have something in place that would allow the family to remain rooted together at home despite the changes in their schedules and routines that were inevitably coming as he was finishing school. Danny wanted the experience of having deer in the back yard full time; Chance loved the idea of having more animals to care for; and Hunter desired to have the opportunity to own some livestock that he could potentially manage as a full-time career. Despite these unique desires, the Groves’ realized that working together on the deer farm would allow each of them to meet their individual goals. In addition, their diverse schedules and distinctive skill sets would prove to have many advantages as they learned to manage

the day-to-day activities so that none of them would have to fully bear the burden alone.

Thus, HD Whitetails Deer Farm was launched nearly five years ago in Merry Oaks, Kentucky. Chance says that it depends on which one of them you ask as to what the “HD” stands for, but for the sake of this article, we’ll just assume that it is “H” for Hunter and “D” for Danny. Wonder why the “C” for Chance got left out? Oh, it was probably just by “chance” since it’s definitely not because she doesn’t contribute her fair share to the work required to have a successful business. That could never be said about Chance!

The Groves family recommends to prospective deer farmers that they take their time in getting started. “Planning and putting thought into what may seem to be the smallest of details will save you so much time and energy in the long run,” according to Chance. She adds, “The planning will help you to feel more in control.” They also state that you should learn from watching others. “Never be afraid to learn from what you see other farmers doing (or not doing, in some instances),” Chance advises. Visiting several farms during the planning process will allow you to get a good idea of what you want and don’t want for your own farm. Chance stresses that while making those visits, you should develop relationships with those farmers because having good, reliable, honest relationships with these individuals will help you immensely. Whether it is for the purpose of developing potential sales relationships or for having someone you can call on in a time of crisis, you can’t take these contacts for granted.

Though the Groves family were very intentional when planning for their new venture, they realized later that they weren’t really mentally prepared for how rapidly their business would grow. “While putting together the layout for our first pens, we never dreamed that by the end of the first year we would already be adding on to the pens,” Chance admits. “We logically knew that our numbers would grow exponentially

each season, but actually seeing it in front of us made us realize that in our first few years what, in theory, should be the slow part of the year would be just as busy as all the rest of the year because of the time and effort required to optimize our operations.”

At HD Whitetails, just as at all other deer farms, there have been challenges, of course. The most critical challenge for them has been the lack of understanding of the industry by lawmakers and regulatory bodies. “We are the most heavily regulated livestock group in the state,” reports Chance. “We feel that governing bodies should have a better understanding of the fact that our uniqueness doesn’t just stop with the type of animals we raise: in our experience, we find that deer farmers are typically more diligent and cautious caretakers of our herds than farmers of other types of herds. This can be partially attributed to the higher financial investment required for deer farming. Another factor is that because deer can mask illness so well, we have to be more attentive to our herds to know when health challenges are presenting so that we can address issues before they become fatal to the deer. Both these factors cause deer farmers to be more driven to do the right thing whether or not any regulations exist to force the issue.”

KALA is striving to affect positive change in these regulations through education and involvement with our lawmakers and oversight bodies.

Despite challenges, the Groves family has had a tremendous amount of success with their fawn bottle feeding program, losing only two of 38! Those two losses occurred within the first 24 hours, and because of internal issues the fawns seemed to have, they likely wouldn’t have survived anyway. What a great accomplishment!

The motto of the HD Whitetails Farm is-Striving to be purveyors of genetically superior Whitetails. Therefore , at this farm, the Grove family works hard to improve their processes with each season. At the end of each phase, the family debriefs about what has gone well and what changes need to be made for the next season. In this way, they are realizing many of the goals that initially provoked them to consider deer farming. They’re spending quality time together doing something that will help them reach their family goal of working as a unit while at the same time allowing them to achieve their individual goals of watching the deer in the back yard for Danny, having more animals to care for to make Chance happy, and giving Hunter an opportunity for a career.

Danny, Chance, and Hunter would like to encourage their fellow KALA members to be very involved in the organization. They have recognized the fact that there is a lot of work to be done and few hands to do it. In their short time in the group, they have seen a great deal of positive change occur and believe that KALA is working really hard to provide the best opportunities for the industry as a whole in Kentucky. They believe that the more involved the membership is, the more we can accomplish.

It is an honor to have the Groves family as a very active part of the KALA membership, and we wish you much success.

THE SCIENCE OF RAISING TYPICAL DEER

By: Gail Veley • Sponsored by IDEFA

There’ssomething to be said for the look of a classic typical frame, according to Josie Borkholder of Lone Pine Whitetails in Nappanee, Indiana. Through his years of deer farming, he’s seen the efforts to produce typicals pay off with the likes of Storm Express and Thermal Image, both of whom sport clean, sizable and typical frames. Perhaps he caught “typical” fever from his father Eddie Ray Borkholder. Nonetheless, while raising “inches” became a trend in the deer industry in the early 2000’s, raising typicals is receiving renewed attention today.

However, it takes more than an impressive typical buck in order to produce other impressive typical bucks. “The secret is to find those dams that have clean sides who throw typical deer and breed to them,” said Nelson Miller of Antler Ridge Whitetails in New Paris, Indiana. “I’d say good mothers are 65 to 70% of the secret to being successful.” While Miller realizes raising non-typicals

may produce a faster end-goal, he, like Borkholder, is aiming to be among those farmers known for raising clean, typical lines. And, he’s willing to be patient.

“You’ve got to stay consistent with your breeding program,” Miller, 45, emphasized. “Some guys want the next greatest thing. But you need to stay patient and don’t sell out. You can’t always switch it up. If you can grow typical deer people will start paying attention. A while back you couldn’t find a nice typical. They were getting phased out.” While non-typical frames may grow more quickly, they can become too heavy, run a greater risk of infection and at times, cause the inability of the deer to carry the larger mass leading to the need to constantly trim antlers, Miller explained.

Yet, a little non-typical blood introduced into a typical line is very useful and can help perpetuate a typical frame that grows in a more-timely manner, Borkholder, 29, added. “You can’t just breed typical on top of typical on top of typical,” he said. “They won’t mature

fast enough or be large enough to sell at two.” Instead, aim to make your breeding consist of approximately 25% non-typical genetics and 75% typical genetics and thoughtfully infuse them into your breeding program through appropriate proven dams. Keep in mind though “if they have a 15-20% nontypical frame then they won’t make the typical look,” he explained. Helping Borkholder to make his breeding decisions is the G.M.S. (Game Management Solutions) software program available through NADeFA. Using the G.M.S. software, breeders such as Borkholder can study the pedigrees of any deer and plan out their strategies. And while “line-breeding” can have it’s advantages “you need to be really careful,” Borkholder said. “You could end up with something like a blind deer.”

Miller agrees that fresh bloodlines offer another key ingredient to successful breeding, as well as believing in yourself, and your ability to eventually own a typical buck that everyone talks about. “I’ve got one now I’m really happy with,” he said. “Knock on wood, so far he’s produced really nice sons and daughters.”

Lastly, keep your eye focused on the end result, Borkholder advises. “Remember you want that ‘certain cross.’ It’s so easy to get off track year after year and then get persuaded to go another direction. But in raising typicals, you are striving to create something everyone else doesn’t already have,” he said. “Be true to the desire of your

ACT PROMPTLY TO TREAT DAMAGED OR INFECTED ANTLERS

By: Gail Veley • Sponsored by KALA

Thesite 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.”

Blosser Whitetails: New deer barn, handling facility and holding stalls.

RED RIDGE WHITETAILS AND CERVID SOLUTIONS

STRIVING TO REPRESENT THE DEER INDUSTRY IN A POSITIVE LIGHT

By: Gail Veley

RedRidge Whitetails is more to Operations Manager Josh Newton than just a place to raise and sell deer. At the end of the day, the farm is a representation of all that is good about the deer industry. From the development, breeding and raising of quality seed stock for hunting ranches, to the practice of superior animal husbandry to the promotion of private land management and conservation, Newton’s goal is to help the industry as a whole to thrive and prosper. And he wants the governing bodies in his state, as well as in other states, to know how diligently deer farmers work to improve the health and vitality of whitetails in many facets including the potential eradication of CWD.

Yet, there are moments when Newton relaxes, however brief and cherished those moments might be on the peaceful and lush 10-acre farm in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. Then, he just simply enjoys his deer and his role as a father to his young daughters

Lena, 5, and Gianna, 2. Watching them interact with fawns alongside his wife Lisa, 37, reminds him of how it all started. For this, Newton is grateful for the other lessons offered through deer farming. “The real lesson is the life itself,” Newton, 41, shared. “And whether we like it or not the reality is that life does exist and (the deer) depend on you. Sadly, some do die. But these experiences create a normal traditional value mindset and animals are a great conduit for that.”

Creating the desire to raise deer started in 1999 when Josh was 17 and visited his uncle’s deer farm for the first time. Within moments of being there, what stirred in his soul was something he couldn’t ignore. He bought his first deer and never looked back. Through working on the farm and learning a vast majority of relevant management skills, he eventually became the operations manager of Red Ridge Whitetails in 2006 after a fateful encounter and subsequent three-hour conversation with the owner. Today, Newton might be considered a walking encyclopedia or a beacon of information on whatever subject pertaining to whitetails you want to discuss. His never-ending drive to represent the industry and continually learn also extends to his role as President of the Pennsylvania Deer Farmer’s Association.

His education didn’t always come easily or happen overnight. It evolved after Newton’s worst and ultimately best experience at Red Ridge Whitetails. After the heartbreak and exasperation of watching close to 20 fawns die within

three weeks in 2008, Newton vowed “never again.” Through his grief and resolve, Cervid Solutions, a company dedicated to providing cervid specific vaccines as well as health management protocols, was founded and today ensures that all deer at Red Ridge (and other farms) live the healthiest lives possible. By using Cervid Solutions as the foundation for putting prevention through herd health at the forefront of the farm’s daily operations, and limiting the number of deer per acre, Red Ridge stays poised to continue setting a good example to others.

They are proud to raise typical deer from the likes of Roman, Rango, Legion, Big Fuzz, Two Big and Artisan among several more. Providing preserves and ranches with big-bodied, hearty, classic, genetically viable typical stocker bucks remains a steadfast goal. Their herd, numbering close to 50, are all DNA certified and registered and also GEBV tested for CWD susceptibility.

“The whitetail industry for me always has been, and will continue to be, my labor of love,” Newton said. “Through Cervid Solutions, I can always provide the best health tools for Red Ridge Whitetails and for a multitude of other like-minded deer farmers.”

Roman- sheds (200 inch 4x4)

Lena and Gianna

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