Louisiana Fall 2023

Board of Directors:

BRANDON BOLLINGER

President

56099 Dohm Road

Loranger, LA 70446 985-264-3437

bbollinger@gulfcraneservices.com

DANIEL THOMAS

242 Daniel Thomas Road

Springhill, LA 71075

318-469-9404

dbthomas40@gmail.com

CHAD JEANE

404 Atkins Place

Benton, LA 71006

318-470-6666

chad.jeane@strikeusa.com

LLOYD GOUGH

1655 Beechcreek Road

Olla, LA 71480

318-277-6245

lloydg277@icloud.com

BJ CLARK

38334 Shelby Drive

Denham Springs, LA 70706

225-445-4459

bjclark.ds20@gmail.com

MYRA BOLLINGER

Administrator: Whitetails Of Louisiana

P.O. Box 436, Folsom, LA 70437 985-892-0056

whitetailsoflouisiana@gmail.com

JOSH KAPLAN

Secretary / Treasurer

146 Coteau Dugypre Lane

Gheens, LA 70355

985-227-3664

josh@goldenranch.com

BRAY BOLLINGER

56099 Dohm Road

Loranger, LA 70446

985-400-1667

bray@gulfcraneservices.com

KRISTINA ROTHSCHILD

3220 Tisdale Road

Eros, LA 71238

318-355-4197

krisrothschild@yahoo.com

KEVIN MEADOWS

123 Journie Grace Street

Benton, LA 71006

318-423-8997

kevinmeadows0123@gmail.com

FEATURED

BLACKHAWK WHITETAILS: A RESURGENCE IN DEER BREEDING EXCELLENCE

By: Gail Veley

History: The legendary Black Hawk Plantation, situated in Vidalia, Louisiana, has had a storied place in deer industry lore. Originally known for its large breeding facility as well as imported northern deer, the ranch was a 25-year stronghold in the deer industry. However, when the State of Louisiana forbade the importing of deer, Black Hawk Plantation closed its doors. New Chapter: Three years ago in 2019, Josh McCoy purchased the farm, renaming it Blackhawk Whitetails, and set forth on a mission of revitalization. As a family endeavor, Josh’s brother Jimmy McCoy joined Blackhawk as Farm Manager. The McCoy’s family vision included renovating all the existing structures, building a world-class bottle-feeding facility and handling facilities and opening the ranch for corporate events, ensuring that they are poised to meet the industry’s demands. Today, Blackhawk is home to 228 deer housed among 40 acres of breeding pens.

Embryo Program - Superior Genetics: Blackhawk Whitetails is not merely returning to its former glory but is forging a new path to magnify its legacy. Through its novel embryo transfer breeding program, the ranch aims to produce unparalleled whitetail pedigrees. Josh Kaplan, a veteran of the deer industry, joined Blackhawk as Herd Manager in 2022, as exploring the embryo side of breeding at Blackhawk proved too enticing to resist. Kaplan explains “we’re focused on getting the bottom side. To bring back Blackhawk’s past glory and elevate it as one of the top breeders in the country. There’s only one way – Embryo Transfer. We’re concentrating on the solid foundation that quality does such as Black Beauty, Ms. Hemi, Tasha, Pink 19, Green 8, Red 138, Yellow Diamond, Miss Overnight, Ranger/Danger’s Dam and others provide.”

Pedigree Value: Kaplan envisions deer pedigrees that are not only unique but also hold lasting value. Drawing an analogy to cars, he quips “while many might have a Chevy, Toyota, or Nissan, we’re aiming to breed the Ferrari of deer. Last year, we transferred 80 embryos into 40 recipient does from exemplary anchor does that we’ve collaborated with.” These partnerships include does from Lester Eicher of Springfield Whitetails, Jake Webster of MVP Whitetails and Brad Hassig of Prime Acres.

FARM STORY

Partnerships: Blackhawk Whitetail’s embryo transfer program wouldn’t be possible without strategic partnerships. “We owe much to Bill Holdman of Elam Woods, Daniel Thomas of Daniel Thomas Whitetails and James Clark from Seldom Seen Whitetails for the robust herd we have today,” Kaplan acknowledges. Kaplan and McCoy are also grateful for their relationships with Springfield Whitetails, MVP Whitetails, Prime Acres, Blue Creek, and Cold Springs Whitetails in being able to acquire superior buck genetics.

Future Outlook: Despite the progress, Kaplan remains grounded, attributing his expertise and passion to his earlier days at Golden Ranch Whitetails. With the unwavering support of his family and a clear vision for the future, Kaplan is optimistic about what lies ahead. A conscientious and lifelong hardworking deer enthusiast, Kaplan reflects, “I’m very grateful for this opportunity, the support of my wife and family, and for what lies ahead.” Kaplan’s days begin early on the farm, starting off with his favorite morning beverage, a Coke Zero. If he isn’t bottle-feeding, checking for EHD, cleaning water troughs, or throwing feed, he’s thinking about the next generation of deer he’d like to breed

whose genetics might include Back in Black, Are You Ready, Ice Man, The Joker, Anchorman, and Simply Irresistible. In the summer of 2023, Blackhawk ushered in 130 fawns, hosted an internship program and launched the ranch’s future into high gear. Kaplan concludes, “We’re not just reviving Blackhawk Whitetails; we’re reinventing it for a new era.”

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.”

safety measures, fallow deer do really well and adapt to a wide variety of climates,” Farmer added.

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

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.”

PREPARING YOUR BUCKS FOR THE HUNT –COMMON SENSE ADVICE

By: Gail Veley • Sponsored by WOL

Preparing your bucks for the hunt begins long before warm and humid summer months turn into cooler and crisper fall days. Although the feeling of autumn ascending upon the earth makes hunters usually think of only one thing – hunting – preserve owners have begun preparing for those hunts months before. In fact, it may feel as though they are always perpetually preparing in one form or another. However, February can be a crucial month in this overall process. “After the hardest part of the winter is over, I start in February making sure I have enough protein available to my bucks in my preserve who were not harvested the year before,” said Brandon Bollinger of 2 Brothers Whitetail in Loranger, Louisiana. “Protein gets them from the rut back into condition. The key is their body condition.”

An essential source of protein can be found in clover plots. “You want to make sure those are ready for spring,” Bollinger, 47, said. “The key to growing big deer is putting a buffet in front on them and as little amount of stress as possible.” Bollinger, who makes a point of closely watching and surveying his bucks all summer, starts rolling his preserve cameras in July, in an effort to

ensure those bucks, currently residing inside, are ingesting enough adequate protein to meet size standards for the upcoming season. Bucks currently residing in pens are also closely monitored as plans progress to stock the preserve. And although Bollinger raises enough of his own bucks to not need to buy more, he feels that selling some of his own while acquiring some from other farms, keeps his inventory varied and perhaps more appealing to hunters.

Bollinger, in addition to knowing how to raise the most appealing buck, has also learned through the years the most appealing circumstances of introducing bucks into a preserve. “I start in August while they are still in velvet,” he said. “Don’t do it the day before a hunt. Put them in the preserve in August while they are in velvet and learning where they want to be, and they are calm. You also need a 30-day buffer to make sure the medications they need for transport are out of their system.” Preceding these precautions is the most valuable advice: Introduce them into the preserve at night. “You have much less of a chance of losing them because it’s not as hot.” Although some preserve owners prefer a method of introduction referred to as “soft launching” by first placing deer in a large pen inside the preserve, Bollinger finds that “day of” or prompt introductions can work just as well.

In an effort to make this type of introduction as safe as possible, Bollinger also advises to not only have food and water sources located interiorly of your preserve, but all along the fence line as well, as deer tend to gravitate to the fence

and pace and without easily accessible water and food, could dehydrate and die. In also realizing that deer learn the sound of an ATV or truck means food is coming, he makes a habit out of dropping hunters off during hunting season from a vehicle, making it easier for them to slip into advantageous places. Although Bollinger takes every precaution necessary to make sure his deer thrive, fatalities are inevitable. “I always have or carry a 10 buck “buffer” from what I grow compared to what I buy, which is about a 20% buffer overall,” he explained. “We hunt about 60 bucks a year.”

While the thrill of the hunt is the most compelling part of deer farming, feeling compelled to create understood payment terms between seller and buyer is what may keep a deer farmer in business. “When you are buying stockers, you should have a very clear warranty period. This is very important. The general rule is seven days. Should deer purchased not survive beyond seven days, the seller usually compensates the buyer in some form or another, Bollinger said. “Make sure you have an agreement in place.”

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GETTING THE MOST FROM YOUR SEMEN STRAWS

By: Gail Veley • Sponsored by MDFA

Scott Fier drives down the long scenic road from the center of town to his 30-acre deer farm of 21 years, Buffalo Ridge Whitetails in Porter, Minnesota. Trees are beginning to turn from green, to gold and crimson as the season of fall settles on the horizon, accompanied by shorter days and cooler temperatures. T-shirts are replaced by sweaters and jackets. Fawns are well on their way to being weaned. And it seems just about the time they are, preparation for breeding season begins. While careful management strategies dictate that some deer farmers opt for live cover certain years, other farms rely exclusively on semen straws to diversify their genetics, breed for CWD resistance, acquire more buck or doe fawns or perhaps incorporate more powerful doe lines. Depending on herd size, your budget or the amount invested in a semen straw (which can range in price anywhere from $100 to $10,000 per straw) deer farmers have three options for breeding their prized does. These options include vaginal insemination, laparoscopic artificial insemination (LAP A.I.) or embryo transfer.

While vaginal insemination may cost less up front and not require as much preparation, an entire semen straw, delivered via an insemination gun, must be administered per doe. While this does not necessarily require a vet to be present, comparatively, using LAP A.I., two to three does can be bred per semen straw. However, A.I. procedures require a veterinarian to perform the procedure which is akin to surgery. Whichever method you use “you’re going to have some expense either way,” said Fier. However, the ultimate decision as to which method to use may come down to how much

each semen straw costs. The higher the cost, the more likely you will be to use LAP A.I. and increase the number of fawns with those high-end genetics, Fier, 43, explained. Preparing for these procedures requires the farmer or paid professional to handle each straw with great care. While semen straws can be stored indefinitely in storage tanks, the liquid nitrogen inside each tank (responsible for keeping the temperature -300 below zero) must be refilled quarterly and acquired through your local semen storage facility, where semen can also be stored and maintained. Once out of the tank, straws must be placed in 96degree water in a thermos to thaw for approximately two minutes. “Always try to use the thawed semen as quickly as possible,” Fier said. “It can remain viable as long as the straw is used within 20 to 30 minutes.”

Does receiving vaginal insemination are generally run through a chute where they may or may not be sedated. Does receiving LAP A.I. are always sedated, tilted on their backs and shaved around their teats and bellies. Upon sanitizing those areas,

a veterinarian makes a tiny slit near the udder and using a microscope and tiny needle, injects semen into each uterine horn. While the success rate of vaginal insemination and LAP A.I. is very good, farmers typically use a “back-up” buck around the 18th day after insemination, to ensure the highest chances of doe pregnancy. DNA tests can prove whether fawns are the prodigy of the semen straw or the back-up buck, once they are born. However, an earlier delivery date points to vaginal insemination, LAP A.I. or embryo transfer. In addition to selecting a procedure that fits your needs and budget, deer farmers can also choose between conventional semen straws with 75mm per .5cc straw or approximately 50 million sperm cells or sexed semen straws with .25mm per straw or approximately 9 million sperm cells. However, given the amount of does a deer farmer may want to breed, bigger farms may feel that LAP A.I. is usually the best choice given a semen straw will go farther, Fier said. The question is “do you want to breed 10 does or 50?”

FREE business card

ads for members of Whitetails of Louisiana

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 Whitetials of Louisiana 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

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SUDOKU

The rules for sudoku are simple.

A 9x9 square must be filled in with numbers from 1-9 with no repeated numbers in each line, horizontally or vertically.

To challenge you more, there are 3x3 squares marked out in the grid, and each of these squares can’t have any repeat numbers either.

Coloring Activity!

Send in this picture with your childs name and age for a chance to be featured in the next magazine or on our facebook page!

All ages welcome to participate!

Pictures can be emailed to deerassociations@gmail.com or mailed to Samantha Uchytil

19291 59th St NE New London, MN 56273

Be Creative and add in a background for Bunny!

Word Search

Autumn

Acorn

Apple Leaves

Colors

Pumpkin Sweater

Maize

Scarecrow

Turkey Antlers

Buck Harvest

Cider

Cranberry

Hayride

Sunshine Foliage

Hibernate

Migrate

Umbrella

Raincoat

Orchard

Frost Season

Crossword Puzzle

Answers to puzzles will be available in the next issue, or can be found on our website: www.deersites.com

VENISON MUSHROOM SWISS BURGERS

Have you ever had a burger so good that you couldn’t set it down? Yeah? This is one of those burgers. The secrets to a perfect venison mushroom swiss burger are a little bit of time and a whole lotta cheese. Perfectly caramelized mushrooms and onions are an exercise in patience but once you have them paired with a deliciously cheesy, juicy venison burger, you’ll want to make them over and over again.

IngredIents

Caramelized Mushrooms and Onions:

• 1 lb cremini mushrooms, sliced

• 4 cups onions, julienned (cut from root to tip)

• 2 tablespoon butter

• salt and pepper, to taste

Burger Patties:

• 1 lb ground venison (or elk, moose, antelope, beef, etc.)

• 2 tablespoon worcestershire sauce

• 1 tablespoon olive oil

• 1 teaspoon garlic powder

• 1 teaspoon onion powder

• ¼ teaspoon salt

• ¼ teaspoon black pepper

• 4 slices Swiss cheese, cut into ¼” squares

Other Ingredients:

• 4 slices Swiss cheese

• 4 brioche hamburger buns

• mayo (optional)

• ketchup (optional)

InstructIons

1. Carmelize Mushrooms and onions in a large pan over medium-low heat. The timing varies on the freshness of your ingredients but should take about 7-10 minutes.

2. Preheat grill to 350°F.

3. In a medium bowl, add ground meat, worcestershire sauce, olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.

4. Mix with your hands until spices are well-combined with the meat. Add in diced pieces of Swiss cheese and gently incorporate them into the meat.

5. Divide meat into 4 equal portions. Roll each piece of meat into a ball, then form into a patty by squishing it between the palms of your hands. Patties should be about 4.5-5” in diameter. Using your thumb, place a small dimple in the middle of each patty.

6. Carefully place burger patties on grill and cook for 4-5 minutes.

7. Flip and cook an additional 3-4 minutes. Remove to a foil-lined flat grill pan or small sheet pan.

8. Top burgers with mushrooms and onions, then top with cheese. You can save some of the mushrooms and onions out to place on top of the melted cheese too, if desired.

9. Place pan back on grill and cook for 4-5 minutes, using indirect heat (not directly over the flame).

10. Remove pan from grill when cheese is melted.

11. Spread mayo on buns if desired, then add burgers to the bottom bun. Drizzle with ketchup if desired and place top half of bun on top. Enjoy!

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Last Issues Puzzles ~ Answer Keys ~

MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION

WHITETAILS OF LOUISIANA

POST OFFICE BOX 436

FOLSOM, LA 70437

985 -892 -0056 OFFICE

whitetailsoflouisiana@gmail.com

MEMBERSHIP NAME: _______________________________________________ DATE: ______________

FARM NAME: _________________________________________________________________________

MAILING ADDRESS: ____________________________________________________________________

CITY: __________ _______________ STATE: ______ ZIP CODE: _________ PARISH: __________________

CELL PHONE: _________ _______ WEBSITE :

EMAIL: _______________________________________________________________________________

_BREEDING FACILITY _____HUNTING RACH OTHER: __________________________

I AM JOINING AS: (PLEASE CHECK ONE)

ACTIVE MEMBERSHIP (VOTING PRIVILEGES): $100.00/YR.

ASSOCIATE MEMBERSHIP (NON- VOTING): $50.00/YR.

LIFETIME MEMBERSHIP (VOTING PRIVILEGES): $750.00

I HEREBY MAKE APPLICATION TO THE WHITETAILS OF LOUISIANA AND I CERTIFY THAT THE INFORMATION I HAVE PROVIDED IS TURE AND CORRECT TO THE BEST OF MY KNOWLEDGE:

SIGNATURE : _ __________________________ DATE : _

Mission and Purpose :

To promote the business of raising and marketing Whitetail Deer in the state of Louisiana.

To promote high ethical standards in the care, handlin g, and harvesting Whitetail deer

To provide educational opportunities for members of the corporation and other interested people through the sharing of inform ation concerning whitetail deer.

To serve as a collective voice in governmental issues that affec t whitetail deer producers, so as to enhance the whitetail deer industry. To require members of the corporation to operate in a legal, honest and forthright manner with fellow members, other whitetai l deer producers and the general public