Michigan Winter 2023

Quest for Michigan’s Best WInter 2023-24 l Volume 16 l Issue 4

JOIN US FOR THE

ANNUAL CONVENTION

MAR 8-9TH

1 5 0 DA L E D R , G AY LO R D, M I 4 973 5 UnitedDeerFarmersofMichigan.com

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TABLE OF CONTENTS 2024 NADeFA in Springfield, Illinois Promises Lasting Memories and Good Times.............................................. 25 Activity Pages............................................................. 44, 48 Board of Directors.............................................................. 1 Business Cards................................................................. 24 Event Calandar................................................................... 8 Membership Application.................................................. 51 Michigan Convention Information................................. 4, 6 Michigan Deer Farmers Share…...................................... 37 President’s Message.......................................................... 2 Recipe - Ground Venison Tacos...................................... 40 Safari Club International – Helping to Create Benchmarks for Deer Farmers......................................... 32

FEATURED FARMS: CG FINANCIAL SERVICES – READY TO DEER FARMERS ACHIEVE THEIR FINANCIAL GOALS....20 FAR NORTH WHITETAILS – ENJOYING A DECADE OF A DREAM TURNED INTO A REALITY............12

ADVERTISERS INDEX:

Antler Ridge Whitetails............................... 22 Blessed Bayou............................................ 21 Blosser Whitetails....................................... 18 Blue Creek Whitetails................................. 11 BR2 Whitetails..................Inside Front Cover C&E BioSolutions....................................... 10 C&E Wildlife Products................................ 38 Cervid Central Market Place...................... 29 Cervid Solutions, LLC................................ 13 Clay Kuntry Whitetails................................ 34 Clear Creek Whitetails................................ 43 CuddliEZ..................................................... 28 Dan-Inject North America.......................... 41 DD Deer Farms, LLC.................................. 33 Droptine Studios......................................... 23 EZid, LLC.................................................... 28 Fox Valley Animal Nutrition, Inc................... 3 Head Gear, LLC.......................................... 49 Hilty Whitetails............................................ 19 Illini Whitetails............................................... 9 Jo Jo’s Whitetails....................................... 39

WIDE AND HIGH WHITETAILS – DEDICATED TO PRODUCING DOUBLE-MARKERED DEER.........17

MAGAZINE GRAPHIC DESIGN AND PUBLISHING Kathy Giesen, Editor/Publisher 305 E. 350 N., Ivins, UT 84738 deerassociations@gmail.com 435-817-0150 • Fax: 435-359-5333 Website: deersites.com

Lone Pine Whitetails.................... Back Cover Major League Whitetails............................ 14 MaxRax Performance Wildlife Nutrition.... 10 NADEFA...................................................... 24 NexGen Animal Health............................... 42 North American Deer Registry................... 22 Outskirts Whitetails.................................... 38 Pine Creek Deer Farm.................................. 7 Pneu-Dart.......................... Inside Back Cover Prime Acres Whitetails................................. 5 Purina.......................................................... 35 Rocky Ridge Whitetails.............................. 31 Spotted Acres............................................. 36 Springfield Whitetails............. Center Spread Storm’s End Whitetails............................... 30 Tajada Whitetail Ranch............................... 52 Thunder Bay Whitetails.............................. 45 Trophy Whitetails........................................ 46 Walnut Ridge Whitetails............................. 47 Wide and High Whitetails........................... 16 Woodard Whitetails.................................... 15 Zehr Bros Whitetails................................... 50

Spring

Deadline April 3rd

(Editorial Provided by Contributing Writers)

BOARD OF DIRECTORS President – Doug Roberts Phone: 810-241-9554 droberts@conquestdeerfarm.com

Membership Chair – Terry Edwards Phone: 989-657-3628 northernselectgenetics@gmail.com

Legislative Chair– Ryan Halfman Phone: 517-281-2936 blacklabelwhitetails@gmail.com

Vice President--Ken Brown Phone: 517-525-4036 kennybrown988@yahoo.com

Board Member – Merle Shepard Phone: 313-268-1727 scishep@aol.com

Secretary – Mathias Dekker Phone: 989-415-6201 mathiasdekker@gmail.com

Secretary / Treasure – Tricia Davis Phone: 231-878-2229 (Cell) pedavis69@gmail.com

Fundraiser Chair – John Wilson Phone: 989-324-0543 platinumwhitetails@yahoo.com

Marketing Chair--Quincy Querfurth Phone: 269-325-8101 quincyquerfurth97@gmail.com

Legislative Chair – Gina A. Bozzer Phone: (989) 619-3495 gina@stormwhitetails.com

Board Member – Kyle Eckert Phone: 989-350-0483

Scholarship Chair--Jason Kanouse Phone: 231-342-9642 jrk8_98@yahoo.com

kyle@br2whitetailsalesandservice.com

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PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE DOUG ROBERTS I would like to start by saying hello and Happy New Year to everyone. I still can’t believe that we are one month in to 2024.

As I look back to the fall of 2023 I saw an industry that ended the year on a very successful note.

Sales in all categories were solid with the hunt buck category being sold out.

With the crazy winter we have had so far and the start of 2024 being warmer than normal we are all dealing with some mud and very wet soft ground.

Let’s hope spring is right around the corner with some stable weather.

Another item right around the corner is the UDFoM yearly convention which will be held at the Ellison Place on March 8th & 9th. You can go to the UDFom website to pre-register and there is a block of rooms available at the hotel that you can reserve.

This will be the biggest and best convention that we have ever had. Friday night is a Hunt/fishing auction with over 20 items including a one of a kind folding shotgun donated by Blaine Anthony the Bear Whisperer. We will also be having the annual cornhole tournament followed by a concert featuring Jason Cross from Nashville TN.

Saturday will bring us our membership meeting which will update us all on the changes to the CWD certification standards. The dept. of Ag will be there to answer all of your questions. We also have four seats that will be open on the board so if you have any interest in running or helping out please send a short bio to Trish. You can reach her by sending it through the UDFoM website.

Right after lunch we will begin the big deer industry auction which has lots of semen, great animals and and many other items to bid on.

Before another great concert by Jason Cross on Saturday night we will have the antler competition results and the highly acclaimed Golden Chair contest valued at $15,000 dollars in prizes!

Lastly, it has been a privilege to lead this industry over the last year. I look forward to seeing everyone in March. I pray blessings and peace to you all!

Safe travels to Gaylord!

Doug Roberts UDFOM President

Watch for these symbols for interactive links in the eBook!

This symbol indicates there is a video linked This symbol indicates there is a link to email, website, or facebook

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2024 United Deer Farmers of Michigan Convention March 8-9, 2024 The Ellison Place - Gaylord, Michigan

Admission Friday with Dinner Adults $75 Kids 13 to 18 $50 Friday Auction & Concert Only Adults & Kids $50 Saturday with Meals Adults $100 Kids 13 to 18 $50 Saturday Concert Only Adults & Kids $50 Whole Convention (2 Days) Adults $150 Kids 13 to 18 $100 Kids under 13 - FREE

Registration Info:

Please register online at uniteddeerfarmersofmichigan.com Registration will be open soon!

Hotel Info:

Comfort Inn & Suites (989) 448-4072 831 West Main St. Gaylord MI 49735 Group Code United Deer Farmers of MI There will be a shuttle https://www.choicehotels.com/reservations/groups/ro27r4

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Quarterly Calendar Update Ad Deadlines & Events

Quarterly Calendar Update ~ Ad Deadlines & Events

FEBRUARY AUGUST

Provided by D&K Design, Publisher for State Association Magazines l VISIT OUR WEBSITE FOR MORE EVENT DETAILS: DEERSITES.COM

Indiana Deer & Elk Farmers’ Association Mulit-Magazine Fall Deadline

Spring Quarter Begins

Pennsylvania Fall Deadline

North Dakota Deer Ranchers Kentucky Alternative Livestock Association

Summer Showcase Fudraiser Auction Event

IDEFA Journal 2023 Ohio Fall Upper Midwest Deer Convention Summer Deadline Deadline Spring

*SHOWCASE BOOK IN THE MAIL! to Deer Farmers in over 20 States!

OK Annual Convention

Annual Meeting

Southeast Tines Southeast Tines Fall Deadline Spring Deadline LAST DAY TO SUBMINT *UPDATED BUCK PHOTOS

Annaual Meeting Benefit Auction

Texas Deer Association Annual Convention

KS Annual Convention

Pennsylvania Bluegrass Trophy Buck Auction, The IDEFA Journal Spring Deadline Cave City, KY Fall Deadline

Visit our website for more details realated to events: deersites.com

New York Deer and Elk Farmers Association

IA Annual Meeting Summer Picnic TBD

Whtietails of Louisiana alabama Deer association Expo & Auction Auction & Tradeshow

* See Showcase Flyer in this magazine for more information

MARCH SEPTEMBER

* See Showcase Flier in this magazine for more information

MDFA Annual Banquet

Louisiana Spring Deadline Labor Day

Mulit-Magazine Fall Deadline

UDFOM Annual Convention

Indiana Deer & Elk SETDA Spring fling Farmers’ Association Tri-State Associations Whitetails of Wisconsin Banquet & Fundraiser Fall Deadline Annaual Meeting Pennsylvania Benefit Auction Fall Deadline Pennsylvania Deer Farmers Association

Alabama Spring Deadline

NADEFA Annual conference and Fundraiser

Fall Classic Stocker and Breeder Auction

& North Dakota Deer Ranchers Annual Pennsylvania Deer and OutdoorAnnual Expo Meeting Louisiana Kentucky Alternative Fall Deadline Livestock Association Southeast Tines Summer Showcase Fundraiser Auction Event Fall Deadline

Kentucky & New York Deadlines Kentucky & New York Fall Deadline Upper Midwest Summer Deadline

2023 SOUTHERN TOP 30 Whitetail & Specialty Extravaganza Great Wolf Lodge, Grapevine, TX

Quest for Michigan’s Best Spring Deadline

APRIL OCTOBER

The IDEFA Journal Fall Deadline

Quest for Michigan’s Best Spring Deadline

New York Deer and Elk Farmers Association

SDDEBA Annual Meeting

Summer Picnic

ILDFA Annual

Meeting & Luncheon

Whtietails of Louisiana Expo & Auction

SDDEBA Annual Meeting ILDFA Annual

Meeting & Luncheon

Columbus Day

UpperMidwest Spring Deadline

Quest for Michigan’s Best Fall Deadline

Tri-State Associations Fall Deadline

Labor Day

Summer Quarter Southeast Tines Pennsylvania Deer Begins Farmers Association Summer Deadline

Louisiana Fall Deadline

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Halloween

Fall Classic Stocker and Breeder Auction & Annual Pennsylvania Deer and Outdoor Expo

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FEATURE STORY

FAR NORTH WHITETAILS – ENJOYING A DECADE OF A DREAM TURNED INTO A REALITY By: Gail Veley Brian Techel was almost certain he and his son Kyle were out of luck during a whitetail hunt many years ago in their native state of Michigan. However, the moment he ventured forth to rejoin Kyle and perhaps call it a day, he spotted what they had spent all day waiting for. Fresh deer tracks. Brian no sooner looked up when a beautiful mature nine-point buck abruptly spun around and took off running. He reached for his gun only to hear first the resonating blast of his son’s rifle. “I told him ‘you shot my deer,” Brian, 66, recalled. It was one of many hunts the two would treasure throughout Kyle’s youth, only to lead the two to an inevitable conclusion. “We needed to start our own deer farm,” Kyle, 35, said. “I talked my Dad into it.”

As a result, Far North Whitetails, a 10-acred deer paradise nestled among pristine towering pine trees near the Pigeon River state forest in Gaylord, Michigan, has been raising deer since 2013. Under their watchful and caring eyes, Kyle and Brian strive to raise large-bodied clean looking northern typical Seneca and whitetail deer whose pedigrees glean heavily off the Gladiator line. “We tend to do big northern bodies with typical doe lines combined with south Texas genetics,” Kyle said. “We sell stockers and does and usually keep our numbers between 50 and 60 and sell about 20 to 25 stockers each year.”

The joy both Brian and Kyle feel in choosing quality genetics, thoughtfully breeding and waiting to see the fruits of their labor is akin to opening a Christmas present.

“We wait two years in anticipation of how they will turn out, while enjoying the outdoors and raising them with family,” Kyle said. “My children help with bottle feeding.

Running our farm is something we all love.”

Although they may be a smaller operation compared to other Michigan farms, both Brian and Kyle appreciate the chance to raise the same caliber of deer as well as mingle among those whose operations are bigger. Through awards they have won at the UDFOM annual conventions, such as First Place for the Biggest Typical Yearling in 2023, they realize they are on track with offering the industry what it needs. “The best practice is to know what other farms are doing and to always keep learning,” Brian said.

“We love attending the annual UDFOM convention and seeing friends. This convention is one of the very best there is.”

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Brian and Kyle are grateful to everyone who plays a part in their success. “We always looked up to and learned a lot from Gary and Terry Edwards. Because of people like them, we hope to still be producing quality deer for many years to come,” Brian said. “We can’t think of anything else we’d rather be doing. The deer industry is one the greatest industries to be a part of.”

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FEATURE STORY

WIDE AND HIGH WHITETAILS – DEDICATED TO PRODUCING DOUBLE-MARKERED DEER By: Gail Veley Dan Harrington was willing to take a risk six years ago, when he bought his first CWD resistant semen straw from John Ervin Stoltzfus’ “Jumbo Superwide.” It was more money than he had ever spent on a semen straw, and the mere notion of breeding for CWD resistance was just beginning to take center stage in the deer industry.

Among the concerns for breeding for CWD resistance was the risk of potential (albeit temporary) loss of production.

Yet Harrington, owner of 20-acre Wide and High Whitetails in Channing, Michigan, and a handful of other deer farmers, took that risk early on. For Harrington, 62, the reward was well worth it.

“Everything on our farm today is resistant and primarily double-markered,” said Harrington, referring to his herd of approximately 175 bucks and does combined.

“We focus heavily on the “H” genotype and acquire that marker from breeding bucks Free Agent and Redoy Bill.

In our herd we also have about 50 % “S” and 25% “K” markers. When the whole CWD resistance movement got started, everyone was worried about losing Redoy production. This year so far has been the best production year we’ve ever had. We are expecting 80-plus fawns this spring who will all be double-markered.”

When Harrington and his wife Cindy started High and Wide Whitetails seven years ago, their vision of growing the best and healthiest deer possible was at the forefront of their business model and operation. Top genetics, double-fenced deer pens along with well-vegetated and optimal environments (including the use of humic acid) helped paved the way for the next necessary step. Breeding for CWD resistance. “Everyone in the industry is working to get on board,” he said. “They realize this is where we need to be at. I think it’s important to donate resistant semen straws to these deer association fundraisers because we need to keep perpetuating breeding for CWD resistance. Let’s put CWD behind us and get back to lying about how big our bucks are!”

2023 UDFoM Yearling Antler Contest Winner: Y-44 Pictured Here - 30” Wide @ 2 has also included other events such as winning the Biggest Yearling Contest in 2019 with Extra Satisfaction (-.4216 GEBV), a Helter Skelter son, at a Whitetails of Wisconsin event. As he reflects back on these highlights as well as the challenges of finding your way and pursuing your dream, he offers this advice. “Have a vision of what you are trying to accomplish. Visit and talk with as many deer farmers as you can,” he emphasized.

“Then, even if you are planning big, start small. There is a learning curve and deer multiply faster than you think.”

“Remember how fortunate we are in the deer industry to do something we love,” Harrington said. “As we all work together, the future will look brighter and brighter. We can beat CWD and focus again on the joy of raising deer.”

All joking aside, Harrington is grateful his deer farming journey

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FEATURE STORY

CG FINANCIAL SERVICES – READY TO DEER FARMERS ACHIEVE THEIR FINANCIAL GOALS By: Gail Veley Financial planners can be valuable assets to business owners, and CG Financial Services, with offices located in select Michigan cities as well as Virginia and North Carolina, believes deer farmers are particularly deserving of the guidance available to them. “With deer farming, we often found that this is not their primary job,” explains Financial Planner Steve Pake. “Helping them navigate through their assets and understand how to grow, preserve, protect and transfer wealth to enhance their financial future is why Doug Roberts invited us to attend the annual UDFOM convention.”

CG Financial Services clients include hunting club owners as well as business owners who, like deer farmers, engage in numerous commercial interests. “One area that is often overlooked involves real estate and situations that occur if a sale is forced due to a death,” said Advisor Austin Brown. “This happens when there is a shortage of liquid capital in a land rich estate.” With proper financial planning, it can help ease the process of leaving a legacy for your family. We also find that many younger people don’t have a plan. It’s important to start this as early on in life as you can.”

Through adaptive financial planning for individuals and businesses, purpose, vision and aspirations can be front and center of any business venture. “With deer farming, there can be so much working capital tied up in your daily operations,” Pake said. “We can help with all areas

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of financial planning from how to invest and grow your assets, risk mitigation and be a ‘third eye’ educating you and perhaps help you avoid what we call points of pain by offering holistic solutions. We strive to understand what is most important to you.”

Michigan deer farmers with financial planning questions can call Steve Pake at 810-691-2745 or email him at steve@mycgfinsurance.com They can also call Austin Brown at 906-748-0453 or email him at austinb@ mycgfinancial.com “We appreciated the opportunity to attend the UDFOM convention and to see firsthand the immense passion and hard work that goes into a successful deer farming operation,” Brown said. “We’d like to help ensure all deer farmers remain successful and see a bright future ahead.”

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If you would like your farm or business featured on our business card pages, email a digital pdf file or scanned image (must be readable resolution) of your business card to: Quincy Querfurth quincyquerfurth97@gmail.com

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2024 NADEFA IN SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS - PROMISES LASTING MEMORIES AND GOOD TIMES ®

By: Gail Veley • Sponsored by ILDFA Attending The North American Deer Farmer’s Association (NADeFA) national convention could prove to be a game changer for your deer business.

“Developing long-lasting business relationships through face-to-face meetings and camaraderie is one of the most important reasons for deer farmers and those who sell products and services to attend NADeFA,” offers Kathy Giesen, Editor and Publisher of multiple state deer association magazines, and steadfast convention attendee. “At NADeFA you get a very good mix of state association people. I feel this convention in particular will draw from every state deer association and be very well attended. There will also be a lot of educational and fun activities.”

anticipated event. Springfield, a city known for being home to President Abraham Lincoln, the invention of the corn dog and horseshoe sandwich as well as Springfield Lake, a beautiful and popular reservoir, is also rich in culture. In 1812, Explorer John Kelly built the first cabin in Springfield, noting the area’s vast abundance of wild deer and game. Today, among the city’s grid structured streets is The Abraham Lincoln President Library and Museum, a mere 12 minutes from the convention.

NADeFA attendees will receive a special admission rate of only $10 if they visit the museum during the convention, which is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Scheduled for March 20th-23rd 2024 at the Crown Plaza Hotel in Springfield Illinois, NADeFA will also feature several guest speakers. “We typically cover a wide variety of topics such as information on starting a deer farm to the latest CWD findings to herd health and management,” said NADeFA Executive Director Shawn Schafer. “A sampling of this year’s speakers includes Justin Greenlee and Dr. Chris Seabury.”

ILDFA Vice President Chase Baker and Board Member Dr. Clifford Shipley believe that Illinois, a state with a very good reputation for raising deer, is a perfect choice and central location for hosting NADeFA. “Springfield is a good city with easy access from the interstate and airport to the hotel,” Dr. Shipley said. In addition, ILDFA members hope Illinois “gains the exposure it deserves in being a great state to be a deer farmer,” Baker added. “We see it continuing to be that way in the future.”

Board members for The Illinois Deer Farming Association (ILDFA) are pleased that Springfield, the capital of Illinois, will serve as the host city for this always much-

As bright as the future is for Illinois deer farmers, is the prospect for new NADeFA attendees to make life-long friends and business partners, and for more

seasoned attendees to strengthen and deepen existing relationships. In addition to events such as the anticipated Antler Competition, Silent Auction, Benefit Auction, Consignment Auction, Dart Gun Competition, Coloring and Photo contest is the convention hall itself, featuring booths from deer farms as well as those promoting various products and services geared toward helping a deer farmer succeed.

“There are approximately 2,500 members reached through our publications with the various state deer associations,” Giesen emphasized. “Therefore, I feel there should be at least 2,500 people that attend NADeFA. Many deer farmers have never been to a national convention. Everyone owes it to themselves to go. Sponsorships, and the recognition that comes with that, are also available for anyone who wishes to sponsor a meal or an event.”

To register for NADeFA or to have a booth, visit the NADeFA website under NADeFA 2024. “We are expecting a good size crowd,” Schafer said. “This is an event the whole family will enjoy. Plan on attending.

You will really have a great time.”

For more information: www.nadefa.org Phone: 330.454.3944 • Fax: 330.454.3950 Email: info@nadefa.org

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SAFARI CLUB INTERNATIONAL HELPING TO CREATE BENCHMARKS FOR DEER FARMERS

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hrough Safari Club International (SCI), farmraised deer who win antler competitions can be included in the record books. “SCI truly appreciates a deer for what they can grow on their head,” explains SCI Master Measurer Steve Uchytil. “They have their own classification for farmed deer. Not all hunting clubs are like that. SCI allows qualified or “Estate” deer to be included in their record books.” Having a deer in the SCI record books “is a great way to make a name for your farm,” said Uchytil, who began antler scoring in 2017. “As a deer farmer, it’s fun to be involved in competitions and create benchmarks for improvement and to be competitive with other farms. Pedigrees don’t matter and the better you can compete antler-wise, the better it can be for your farm.”

For more than 50 years, SCI, headquartered in Washington, D.C., has protected the freedom to hunt and has promoted wildlife conservation worldwide. SCI has close to 200 chapters representing approximately 106 countries with a membership of 50,000 and growing. In addition to operating a 501(c)3 foundation, SCI has the largest record book of any hunting organization.

At trade shows such as NADeFA, as well as other deer association conventions, antler scoring competitions are one of the most anticipated events and can involve several antler scorers and their

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By: Gail Veley • Sponsored by UDFOM assistants. For Randall Bush, 81, being an SCI Master Measurer for 34 years has been one of his greatest passions. His work has taken him to numerous events and states and even to places as far away as Mongolia. Through his work as a Master Measurer, he has witnessed firsthand how hunting organizations have changed lives and created lasting memories.

From involvement in wounded warrior hunting clubs from Texas to Alabama to helping handicapped children with guided hunts, Bush feels certain this was truly meant to be his life’s work. Although he worked 47 years as a pharmacist and retired years ago, Bush can never see himself retiring from the deer industry. “SCI has been my life,” he said. “I have more energy now than ever before.”

Like Bush, Uchytil also looks forward to the time he spends scoring antlers as events such as The Monster Buck Classic, The Whitetails of Wisconsin annual convention, The Minnesota Deer Farmer’s annual convention and others. “I’ve probably scored about 2,000 racks,” he said. “I guess one of my most fun experiences and memories was The Monster Buck Classic a few years ago. I scored 100 plus racks that day and had to teach a bunch of kids about it. I had no shortage of helpers that day.”

In his time as an antler scorer, Uchytil has handled between 50 to 120 racks in one day. Depending on the size of the rack, each one takes

an average of 20 or more minutes to score. “Some of the most interesting racks are mule deer,” he said. “There aren’t usually a lot of them. Some of their antler features are very different than whitetails.”

As the deer industry continues to grow and hunting preserves further embrace their role in land conservation and stewardship, being active in organizations like SCI strengthens the voice of all those involved. “We need the SCI standing behind us, promoting ethical hunting, recognizing farmed deer for what they are and supporting the work that we do,” Uchytil emphasized. “We appreciate what they have allowed us in the deer industry to accomplish and thrive upon.”

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MICHIGAN DEER FARMERS SHARE IF I KNEW THEN WHAT I KNOW NOW, WHAT I MAY HAVE DONE DIFFERENTLY STARTING MY DEER FARM

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By: Gail Veley • Sponsored by the United Deer Farmers of Michigan

lex Draper stood lost in his thoughts on a spring day in the early 1990’s.

As he studied a few very attractive bucks at the now late Ted Summer’s deer farm in northern Ohio with his friends Earl Souva and Gary Edwards, he was interested in making a purchase. “At that time deer farmers were selling does for $150 to $200 apiece,” Draper said. “Ted wanted $2,000 apiece for his doe fawns. He was a very knowledgeable guy, but that price was very high in our eyes.” Draper did not buy any deer that day from Summers, who would later produce Orange 2, Maxbo Ranger’s mother. “Looking back, it would have been a very good investment,” he said. “Her NADR number was 300. She had 11 offspring directly producing top animals.”

Good genetics, along with registries such as The Texas Deer Association (TDA) and The North American Deer Registry (NADR) “really allowed the industry to take off,” Draper, owner of DD Deer Farms in Clio, Michigan, explained. “You could see how the breedings were done for real not by ‘hear say’. More record keeping was being used and breeding crosses were being monitored to quantify the outcome. Today’s NADR numbers are in excess of 390,000 entries. My

lowest number is 499. Realizing the need to have good quality genetics and registered deer made a huge difference for me in my 35 years as a deer farmer.”

Realizing where his farm might lead him later, would have served Craig Frye of Spotted Acres in Battle Creek Michigan, well. What started as a small hobby farm in 2015 with his wife Karen for raising piebald deer, has grown into a full production enterprise along with acquiring partners, Anthony and Kelsey Klingler of Red Moon Whitetails. “Had I known where the deer industry was going to go, I would have gone to better genetics sooner, bred them differently right from the get-go and made better money quicker,” Frye shared. “I would have put in a handling facility sooner if I had only known then that piebalds would become just as valuable as whitetails.”

With the farm’s initial deer pen located right behind their house, looking back Frye would have laid the entire farm out totally different. “We put up our first pen without any intention of a handling facility,” he said. “It’s made it a little more challenging today to make everything flow to the handler and to get all the deer up in there.”

Yet in realizing and rethinking certain aspects of starting their farm, the Frye’s will never regret getting started in the first place. “This has exceeded all of

our expectations. We now raise brown whitetails, too, and backed everything to piebalds this past breeding season.

Hunters are becoming more interested in them and we are focusing on larger racks and bigger bodies.”

In focusing on sizable racks and substantial bodies, Draper feels the deer industry has gone through two or three major phases from merely using the best-looking bucks to the careful manipulation of good genetics to utilizing embryo transfer through A.I. The fourth or “next phase” is breeding for CWD resistance. “Most of the pioneers of the industry are long gone and new people have come into the industry and have taken their knowledge to build their herds,” he said.

“They have seen the value of the super does and sires that the pioneers have created and validated, then taken them to a whole new level.”

“Knowing what I know today, the monies I have made, even more monies spent on this endeavor, I would have to think long and hard about getting into the deer business now,” Draper said. “But the 30-plus years of studying genetics, the many friendships of producers from across the county, the animals I have raised, and my family involvement has been worth every penny.”

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GROUND VENISON TACOS With my quick, flavorful ground venison tacos, the meat is sauteed with a mixture of herbs and spices until perfectly cooked! Simply serve the ground venison taco meat on your favorite tortillas with the condiments you love, and dinner is served!

Ingredients

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1 Tablespoon Olive Oil

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½ Cup Diced Onion

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1 Teaspoon Minced Garlic

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1 Pound Ground Venison

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1 Large Diced Roma Tomato

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¼ Cup Chopped Cilantro

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3 Tablespoons Lime Juice

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¼ Cup Water or Broth (to help cook down the venison)

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4-8 Tortillas

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Seasonings – 1 ½ tablespoon chili powder, ½ tablespoon cumin, ½ tablespoon paprika, ½ teaspoon salt & pepper, ¼ teaspoon garlic powder, and ¼ teaspoon onion powder

Instructions 1. Sauté onion. In a large skillet or non-stick frying pan, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium-high heat. Once the oil begins to shimmer and gets close to smoking, add ½ cup of diced onion and sauté for 4 to 5 minutes or until the onion is translucent, tender, and fragrant.

2. Sauté venison. To the onion, add 1 teaspoon of minced garlic and sauté for an additional 30 seconds to 1 minute before adding 1 pound of ground venison. Then, loosely break up the venison and stir into the onion and garlic. Allow the venison to sear for 2 to 3 minutes, then flip and break up the venison as it browns.

3. Add seasoning. Once the ground venison is browned, add the seasoning, including 1 ½ tablespoon of chili powder, ½ tablespoon of cumin, ½ tablespoon of paprika, ½ teaspoon each of salt & pepper, ¼ teaspoon of garlic powder, and ¼ teaspoon of onion powder. Next, add ¼ cup chopped cilantro, 1 large diced Roma tomato, 3 tablespoons of lime juice, and ¼ cup of water. Stir the mixture until combined.

4. Simmer taco meat. Next, bring the ground venison taco meat to a boil, reduce heat to low, and then simmer for 5 minutes or until the taco meat reaches your desired consistency.

When the taco meat is done, remove the pan from the heat and serve in about 4 to 8 of your favorite taco shells/tortillas. Top with desired condiments and serve!

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Word Search Blossom Breeze Budding Cervid Dandelions Dazzling Dragonfly Equinox Fawn Garden

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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.

Last Issues Puzzles ~ Answer Keys ~

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United Deer Farmers of Michigan Membership Application March , 2024 - March , 2025 Name: Business Name:

Species Raised:

Mailing Address: City, State, Zip: Home Phone:

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This will be a full registration & includes voting privileges, with a maximum of one vote per year per application.

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If you would like to pay with a credit card please enter your information here: Name on card Card # Exp Three digit code on back

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