FLORIDA DEER FARMERS FIND CHALLENGES WITH STRONGER AND MORE FREQUENT WEATHER
Sponsored by SETDA
SELLING DEER NORTH TO SOUTH
Insight from South Dakota
Sponsored by SDDEBA
New York Deer and Elk Farmers Association
Dave Vanderzee President Easton View Outfitters 518-210-8889 eastonviewoutfittersllc@gmail.com
Mike Kerry Four Season Whitetails 315-783-2848 fourseasonwhitetails@hotmail.com
Robert Root
Moriah Elk Farm 607-657-8069 rootnyelk@aol.com
Tim Rater
French Creek Whitetails 716-355-8870 timrater21@gmail.com
Mike Czora Prime Whitetails 585-330-9100 mike@primewhitetails.com
Tom Peryea 518-561-3555 tomselkranch@juno.com
Mike Rosenwie Concord Whitetail Scents 716-912-7314 rosey9473@hotmail.com
Wayne Hettenbaugh Valley View Whitetails NY 716-499-9367 whett6@hotmail.com
Dan Jennings JB Farms 413-822-1040 dan.jennings02@gmail.com
President’s Message
Fall 2024
New York
Deer
Farmers May Face
Challenging
Times Ahead
A Moment with New York Deer and Elk Farmer’s Association
President Dave Vanderzee
Greetings to everyone from Texas, where I have been spending time mingling with deer farmers from down south to perhaps pave a better way for us deer farmers up north. For as we know, deer farming is not without its challenges. For the first time since 2005, one case of CWD in a red deer has been detected in Region 6 of Upstate New York. This was from a closed herd that hasn’t added any new animals since 2007, so we’re hopeful it could potentially be ruled as a false positive but there are lots of hurdles to jump over before that can be accomplished. The deer was found during a routine inspection by The New York Department of Agriculture and Markets. At press time we had no further information. But we will be working diligently with the USDA on this matter, as well as gathering details to share with you, our members.
While we may be a smaller association, here in New York we have a great need for leadership. There are at least four seats available on the Board of Directors. All are welcome to make board nominations. In fact, you can even nominate yourself. I’ve stood firm in my leadership position as your president for many years and would gladly hand over the job to anyone who feels able to fill this role. If anyone is interested, please feel free to reach out to me. We have a strong member base to choose from.
In other news here in New York, we all strive to raise the healthiest and most marketable deer we can and as such, can claim a tax credit through Tax Form IT-212, if you’ve bought new or used equipment in 2024 to help run your business. Creditable items include trucks, tractors, chain saws and facilities, etc. Make sure you talk to your accountant come tax season.
In closing, let me just say how thankful we are that the market for deer remains very lucrative, and how grateful we are for the grant money made available through The New York Department of Agriculture and Markets, for DNA testing and genetic marker identification. What a blessing to be able to attain such valuable information as we all strive to produce CWD resistance animals. If we stand together strong as an organization, I know we can persevere through anything.
Thank you!
Dave Vanderzee, NYDEFA President
Jack Oliver President Shadow Valley WT’s 304-288-4090 shadowvalleydeerfarm@yahoo.com
Mark Cobb Secretary/Treasurer Gobblers Ridge Exotics 304-532-4514 mark.cobb@gmail.com
Board of Directors
Andi Manspile S & J Whitetails 304-222-9914 amanspile@gmail.com
I can truly say 2024 is a year to remember, although I’d like to forget a large portion of it of it.
Spring fawning was the some of the best we had ever had in 25 years, here at Shadow Valley Whitetails. The flash and variety of the 2024 fawn crop was epic. Bigshot and Rowdy had more than achieved our expectations. But that’s about as far is things go, on a positive note at least.
Early June, my wife Trish became ill and was diagnosed with Lymes Disease. We never knew of the magnitude of this illness and what a human body is put through from it. Six months later and she is still dealing with issues. Prayers to anyone that has had to deal with it.
Then, in August, the super hot, dry summer weather, brought in EHD to our area. Vigilant fogging and misting was immediately started in the deer pens. As wild deer in our area were found dead in the tens and hundreds, our farmed deer maintained their health. UNTIL they didn’t. We lost 13 deer in a 16 day timeframe. It was horrible. Twenty five years of specialized breeding was disappearing rapidly. Sleepless nights only lead to a living nightmare.
And then it got worse, I received a call from from the lab. The first deer that had died from ehd, a two year old bottle fed doe named Maddie, had tested positive for CWD. My deer farming nightmare had hit overdrive.
We officially had hit the deer farming trifecta in a mere 3 month time frame. The 3 worse deer related illnesses, had invaded our farm.
Immediate questions as to where it came from, only lead to more questions. We had maintained a closed herd since 2013. Through talk with other farmers that have experienced this as well, revealed feed and hay are possibilities of transfer. Vultures are prevelant around our farm, and are a viable source of transfer. Could visitors have had in on their shoes? Could annual inspections have transferred it in? Could one of my out of state hunting trips have been the culprit? And for some more devious minds, sabatoge can’t be ruled out. We may never know.
We lost a total of 14 deer in a five week time-frame. Ten adults and four fawns. The initial 13, and then 22 days later, my prize 2 yr old, Rowdy, was lost. Four of those 14 ended up testing positive for CWD. The confusing part to all the scientific folks, is that two 1 year old bucks, one 2 year old doe and one 3 year old doe tested positive and four, five and six year old animals tested negative. Normal data apparently doesn’t agree with our results. Interestingly enough the ones that all tested positive, were the biggest treat eaters on the farm. Which makes us lean toward an intentional source.
While we hadn’t completed genotype testing on the entire herd, it was looking like the majority were GG or GS.
President’s Message Continued On Page 11...
Jack Oliver Shadow Valley Whitetails
However I did learn something interesting about the CWD quarantine timeframe. Quarantine timeframe is longer for farms with predominant SS genotypes. Because of being more resistant to CWD, the timeframe is extended for those animals. So, those genetics aren’t credited with being resistant, they are penalized for simply being slower to contact CWD.
In any case, Shadow Valley Whitetails will be vacant soon. We may start again, we may not. Presently, Trish and I are going to enjoy our last days with our deer, until they are gone. And after that, hopefully do some traveling that we’ve dreamed of.
It’s been a long 25 years. In the early days, much criticism was directed toward our choice of breeding (piebalds). But, it fueled our desire. We’ve accomplished things with our piebalds that were more than I ever dreamed. At the moment, a lot of the great times are over shadowed by the abrupt end. But in due time, those great memories will prevail. My goal of bringing piebald whitetails to the forefront has been achieved.
We just wish WE could have chosen when and how to stop deer farming. But then again, if given a choice, I would never stop.
Jack Oliver Shadow Valley Whitetails President - West Virginia Deer Farmers Association.
*All bucks have tested negative and all semen will be good to use.
CEREE LEDBETTER PHOTOGRAPHY
EAGER TO PROMOTE DEER FARMS AND PRESERVES
By: Gail Veley • Sponsored by the West Virginia Deer Farmers Association, Inc.
Early dawn brings soft light to a landscape silhouetted with rolling green and shadowed hills, along with deer who seem to welcome, if not rejoice, at the start of a new day. Ceree Ledbetter quietly kneels, her camera fixed on a large buck stretching high for the treasures found in oak trees. With the touch of her finger, click. The image is permanently captured.
“I knew from the moment I was in fifth grade and held my first blue digital camera that I wanted to be a photographer,” Ceree said, reflecting back on her most treasured birthday gift. “I was so excited and thought at first that it would just be some hobby I would do after school. But when I started showing people my photos and getting their reactions, I realized maybe I had a knack for
this. That this could be something I could do professionally,”
While Ceree may be a mere 20 years old, her love of photography and her experiences are akin to someone well-entrenched and well-versed in their craft. While taking a picture may seem like a simple task “the raw lighting and the angles of the photo contribute heavily to the overall structure of it before editing,” Ceree, a Sandyville, West Virginia native and stepdaughter of Mark Cobb, explained. “Editing is also a substantial part of the process. Developing your eye for a great photo is also key. I’d love to travel to any state and shoot photos on both deer farms and preserves. I’m absolutely not nervous about being in a preserve. I’ve even photographed bison up close.”
Her base fee is $250 per day, not including travelling and lodging fees. “If I could stay in the lodge at someone’s preserve, I wouldn’t need hotel lodging,” Ceree explained. “It would probably take one to two days to shoot all the photos we would need. I would especially love to travel to Texas, Ohio and Florida and take photographs. I enjoy meeting new people. I would just really love to expand my business.”
Ceree’s passion for photographing livestock and nature began to flourish in 2020 when she moved to Mark’s farm and “he had so many animals like red deer, elk, horses and chickens and emus,” she said. “People loved seeing the photos I posted on Facebook. I also interned at Woodard Whitetails taking care of fawns, which allowed my love for the ‘veterinarian side’ of the industry to grow.”
Anyone interested in hiring Ceree as their photographer can call or text her at 304-531-7515 or email her at cereelphotography@ gmail.com. While Ceree is open to photographing any livestock you’d prefer, her favorite thing to photograph are bucks in hard antler. “That time of year is one of my favorites,” she said. “So, make sure to give me a call.”
I realized maybe I had a knack for this. That this could be something I could do professionally,” “
NEW YORK DEER & ELK FARMERS ASSOCIATION
1023 Route 146
Clifton Park, New York 12065
Phone: 1-518-383-2200 E-mail: nydefa@nydefa.org
All memberships renew in March.
Please send your check, payable to NYDEFA, to the address above.
Please check the appropriate box. If one is not checked, the “Do not publish” will be used
Active Member $50 Email notices, voting privileges, meeting minutes, and membership directory.
Friend of the Farmers $_______ Thoughtful donation. Additional contributions are greatly appreciated.
~ Thank you for your support! ~
BENEFITS OF SUPPORTING NYDEFA
Quarterly Newsletter
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Northeast Cervid Marketing Cooperative Initiative
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WEST VIRGINIA DEER FARMERS ASSOCIATION, INC.
MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION
Date: ____________________________________ ____ New Member ____ 202_ Renewal
Primary Member Name: ___________________________________________________________________
Second Farm Member Name:_______________________________________(Family/Farm membership only) Farm Name:_____________________________________________________________________________
What type of deer and/or services will you offer: __ Whitetail __ Elk __ Red Deer Other ___________ __ Scents __ Urine __ Antlers __ Venison __ Breeding Stock __ Shooters
Annual Membership Levels
___ Active WV Propagator (voting privileges) $75 ___ Family Membership (2 voting privileges) $100 ___ Associate Member (no voting privileges) $25 ___ Other ___________________________
Active WV Propagator is a proprietor, partnership, firm, corporation, division of an organization or individual actively engaged in whole or in substantial part, in the husbandry of domestic deer for commercial sale of venison or the breeding of stock to support such operations.
Family Membership, membership is same as Active WV Propagator but includes 2 voting privileges from the same household. This includes spouse, significant other, partner or child 18 years or older.
Associate Member is anyone who has an interest in cervid farming, but does not own deer. Associate Members do not vote and cannot hold office in the Association. They may attend all activities sponsored by the Association and they will receive the WVDFA Newsletter.
Other, Lifetime membership, sponsors, or representatives apply. I hereby make application to the West Virginia Deer Farmers Association, Inc. and certify that the information I have provided is true and correct to the best of my knowledge.
Would you approve sharing your information with other deer farms or folks interested in deer farming? ______
Make Checks/Payments payable to: WV Deer Farmers Association, Inc. C/O Mark Cobb, Secretary 215 Eastwood Road Ravenswood, WV 26164
? Featured Farm BACK TO OUR ROOTS WILDLIFE
1. HOW DID YOU LEARN ABOUT DEER FARMING?
Robert wanted his Dad to hunt an elk but didn’t want to go too far west on the chance that they may draw an elk tag. So, he started res earching & found cervid farms.
2. WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO START A DEER FARM?
We had farmed beef & hogs. We love nature & hunting, Whitetail deer in particular. We also dreamed of bringing elk back to our area , where they had roamed freely over 100 years ago. After going on the farmed elk hunt Robert, even though he & his father, both got massive elk, was not happy with the hunt because it was not a natural experi ence. We had almost 200 acres of beautiful hollers & hills in central West Virginia that weren’t being utilized. So, we started researchin g the ins & outs of the cervid farming industry. We toured a few farm s & came across one fairly close to our location that we visited. D ebra has always had a passion for raising animals but didn’t know a lot about their care, so she spent some time on that farm learning all th at she could to properly care for them.
3. HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN DEER FARMING?
We bought our first whitetail deer in 2020 & our first elk in 2 022.
4. HOW MANY DEER DID YOU START WITH?
We started out with 6 bred does & 2 yearling bucks in 2020. The n in 2022 we got our first 3 bred elk cows & a breeder bull.
5. DO YOU AI OR LIVE BREED? IF YOU AI, DO YOU USE VAGINAL OR LAP PROCEDURE?
So far, we have only done live breeding.
? ? ? ? ?
6. DO YOU BOTTLE FEED YOUR FAWNS?
We try not to bottle feed buck fawns, unless they need special care, as they tend to imprint with you. However, we do bottle feed a lot of our doe fawns, for the same reason we don’t buck fawns. This ma kes it much easier to handle them.
7. WHAT FEED DO YOU USE?
We use a specialized feed mix, designed by us & our feed store, for optimized nutrition.
8. WHAT IS THE MOST ENJOYABLE PART OF RAISING DEER?
Seeing the beautiful animals that we bred roam our farm. And of course all the fawns/calves born in the spring. When they get a few w eeks old, they start getting what we call the zoomies, running all over, chasing each other & playing…it is just precious.
9. HOW HAS THE ASSOCIATION HELPED YOU AND YOUR FARM?
Our association has been great helping us learn all that we can & lobbying for our rights as a cervid farm.
**Our goal from the beginning has been to create the ultimate natural hunting experience in a high fence hunting preserve with trophy sized Whitetail deer and Elk that once roamed our area over 100 years ago, here in central West Virginia near the Elk River. Hence our name “Back to Our Roots Wildlife”.
Our Farm is solely owned & operated by us personally. Robert (Butch) Jett & Debra Jett
Debra Jett
Back to Our Roots Wildlife, LLC 1549 Grannies Crk. Newton, WV 25266
Cell # 304-553-5208
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Hilty Whitetails
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1 Year Old Bucks
#1272/392131 Red Barron/Texas Tea/Gladiator
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#1092/392435 Red Barron/Champion Express/Dream Ranger
#1107/392439 Red Barron/Champion Express/GXL
#1143/392447 Red Barron/GXL/Texas Tea
-0.001827
MISSOURI DEER FARMERS SHARE IF I KNEW THEN WHAT I KNOW NOW, WHAT I MAY HAVE DONE DIFFERENTLY STARTING MY DEER FARM
By: Gail Veley • Sponsored by MDA
With shovels in hand and an agenda to fill, Rachel and Brad Monnig recently trenched 600 feet of water line at their eight-acre farm, Cedar Ridge Whitetails in Salisbury, Missouri. After fifteen years of dragging hoses to water troughs it was time for something easier. In fact, it was way past time. Today water hydrants line their deer farm, saving them a substantial amount of time caring for their deer.
Saving time and money when raising deer is a subject Roxanne and Jeff Knibb of Knibb Whitetails near St. Louis, Missouri, know all too well. Today, their seven breeding pens are lined with Rangemaster high-tensile horse fence. Fawns no longer get their heads stuck in the fence. Strips of Geogrid no longer litter the pens, making for a much better presentation during farm tours. And life is good for their deer herd, which numbers close to 200 head, housed in 19 one-acre pens. However, things did not start out so well when they acquired their first deer, four bred does, in 2009.
“We thought we could preempt the problem of fawns escaping through six-inch spacing without having to line the breeding pens,” Roxanne, 62,
explained. “So, we used Stay-Tuff fence with three-inch spacing on the whole farm. The problem was, while the fawns could not escape, they still tried . . . and got their heads stuck in the fence.” Their first ‘solution’ was to line the breeding pens with Geogrid, a lightweight plastic product that was easily attached to the Stay-Tuff fence using cable ties. But both the Geogrid and the cable ties degraded with exposure and had to be replaced every few years. The deer also took to entertaining themselves by tearing strips off the fence and distributing them around the pen.
The solution that finally and actually worked very well was in lining the breeder pens with Rangemaster horse fence from Kencove (Fastlock Woven Wire, 13/48”/2”, 12 ½ Ga). The Knibbs used a Pneumatic Hog Ring Tool (Type HC715) and stainless-steel Hog Rings (KSF15SS100B, C-ring style, .75” open/.3125” closed), both from King-Hughes Fasteners, to attach the Rangemaster fence to the Stay-Tuff fence as needed (about one ring per square foot of fence). “At first we were afraid the fence would be so stiff that more fawns would die when they hit it,” Roxanne said. “But the fence has been
up since 2021, and thankfully, that has not been the case. A fence that provides safety and longevity is a joy to have.”
Looking at longevity factors such as fencing is something the Monnig’s wholeheartedly agree with, along with the selection of genetics, pen design and layout at their farm which now houses close to 70 deer. “Looking back, we should have toured a lot more farms and asked a lot more questions,” Rachel, 35, said. “You’re always going to end up with more deer than you planned. Determining your future ‘add-ons’ and how that would go with your existing layout is important. It’s also important to know your goals and who you’re trying to sell to, the breeder market or stocker market. As a farm that raises stockers, we now use sexed semen so we will have more bucks than does.”
If the Monnig’s and Knibb’s could offer a universal piece of advice to new deer farmers – it’s longevity. “The key is all in the planning,” Rachel said. “For example, consider power does. They are hard to make and hard to replace. Or that doe that will milk any baby. Always plan for what the future could mean with every decision you make. It will pay off.”
SELLING DEER NORTH TO SOUTH
INSIGHT FROM SOUTH DAKOTA
By: Gail Veley • Sponsored by South Dakota Deer & Elk Breeders Association
Selling and moving stocker deer from northern to southern states generally revolves around one important factor – the first hard frost. In an effort to avoid epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD) outbreaks, it is safer and more advisable to wait until the possibility of EHD has passed for the year, shares Greg Leenderts, Vice-Chairman of the South Dakota Deer and Elk Breeder’s Association (SDEBA). After the first hard frost, most culicoides midge flies, the “no-see-um” biting flies responsible for transmitting the disease, have died off. In states such as Kansas, this happens much earlier in the year as opposed to states such as Texas where the climate can remain warmer well into the fall.
Although deer might develop a certain degree of immunity to EHD for the particular region where they live (and may even receive a vaccine), several strains of EHD are found throughout the U.S., as there are more than 1,000 culicoides species. Known to affect whitetail deer, elk, pronghorn antelope and bighorn sheep, EHD is a blood borne disease and the most prominent infectious disease among whitetails. However, while outbreaks
can prove quite deadly, the disease is not contagious.
“Deer in northern states deal with different EHD strains than deer in southern states,” said Leenderts, who owns Whitetail Farms in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. “There is a fine and tricky line as to when you should transport.”
And while he can never guarantee that a northern deer will not succumb to EHD in the south (despite administering vaccines, feeding vitamins such as “K” to boost their immune system and using fly spray), he can guarantee that northern deer will be naturally hearty with sizable racks and substantive bodies. “Hunters really like them because they look mature even when they are younger,” Leenderts explained. “The yearlings mix right in with the older ones.”
Having spent the better part of ten years raising a CWD certified herd and selling and transporting typical whitetail deer and mule deer to certain southern states, Leenderts, 43, appreciates the business relationships he has established and keeps in contact with each preserve throughout the year.
“I don’t sell mine until they are done growing and don’t price the deer until
early fall,” he said. “There can be a huge price difference in having ten more typical inches on a rack versus not.”
Other considerations when selling and transporting northern raised deer to southern states, is the unavoidable temperature fluctuation between colder and warmer climates. “Your trailer ventilation is key along with air conditioning,” Leenderts said. “If your deer get warm, they are going to get worked up. It’s also always better to haul at night when temperatures are cooler.”
In addition to his loyal customers who keep him busy, Leenderts is also grateful for the support shown to deer farmers in his state by the South Dakota Animal Industry Board and the South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources. “We have a supportive government here and it’s great,” he said. “Having moved here from Minnesota three years ago, I can tell you that South Dakota is a very welcoming place to raise deer.”
IF YOU HAVEN’T TRIED PNEU-DART’S RDD S , YOU’RE MISSING MORE THAN YOUR TARGET
From Dr Shane-Holser
Dear Captive Cervid Producer,
This email is to notify you that section 60.2 of Title 1 NYCRR has been repealed, and sections 60.6(a) and 60.9 have been amended.
The repeal of 1 NYCRR Part 60.2 removes the requirement for tuberculosis (TB) testing of captive cervids prior to moving those cervids within the borders of New York. The amendments of Parts 60.6(a) and 60.9 remove cross-references to the repealed part. This will only affect the movements of captive cervids from CWD Certified and CWD Non-Susceptible herds within NYS. CWD Monitored herds are still unable to move live animals.
Be sure to know the TB status of the herd of destination before moving animals. Movements of cervids from lower TB status to higher TB status herds may result in the reduction of status for the receiving herd. Flow charts explain this on page 37 with the updated “AI-806 NYS Cervid TB Program Information” document (view full document on the NYDEFA website) The export of captive cervids to other states may still require TB testing. Contact the state of destination to learn their requirements. The repeal of Part 60.2 does not remove or change the requirement for movement permits for captive cervids.
The Department will continue with other aspects of the captive cervid tuberculosis surveillance program including the requirement to test cervids prior to importation of eligible species (i.e. non-chronic wasting disease susceptible species). In addition, the Department will continue to do post-mortem exams and submit lymph nodes for acid fast testing.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me or your field veterinarian.
Sincerely,
Dr Shane-Holser. VMD, CVA (she/her) Veterinarian 2, Division of Animal Industry
New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets 10B Airline Drive, Albany, NY 12235
With an increasingly divisive election campaign, Congressional deadlock, and a looming government funding deadline on October 1st, it is clear that 2024 will be a pivotal year for American politics. Congress has so far failed to pass its twelve annual appropriations bills for fiscal year 2025 (FY25), including the Farm bill by the August recess, and debates on immigration and foreign aid are expected to play out as election season begins.
Elections
On November 5th, Vice President Kamala Harris (D) will face former President Donald Trump (R) to decide who will be the 47th President of the United States. At the moment, polling shows the candidates to be statistically tied nationally while Vice President Harris holds a slim lead in most swing states. On July 15th, former President Trump announced his selection for freshman Ohio Senator J.D. Vance while Vice President Harris selected Minnesota Governor Tim Walz. Both VP picks appear intended to bolster their running mate’s standing in Midwest battleground states such as Ohio and Michigan. Down-ballot Republicans are broadly expected to gain a majority in the Senate, where the Democrats will be forced to defend eights seats located in swing states and red states. The House of Representatives appears to be in play for either party.
Legislative Outlook
On March 23rd President Biden signed a continuing resolution (CR) for the funding of the federal government through September 30th. The bill passed the House of Representatives with a margin of 286-134 and the Senate by a margin of 74-24. Major provisions included additional funding for the National Institutes of Health, measures to respond to the opioid epidemic and the Low Income Energy Assistance Program. As the October 1st deadline for the FY25 appropriations bills draws closer, the current process is ongoing but it is not expected that a majority of the spending bills will pass before election day.
Farm Bill
On June 11th, the House Appropriations Committee released the initial version of the FY2025 Farm bill. The bill would provide additional funding to safety-net programs for farmers as well as doubling the allocation to support trade promotion efforts. Speciality crop programs also saw funding increases, improved the availability of energy cost reduction programs and implements new measures to track land purchase by foreign entities, particularly those based in China. More controversially, the bill includes two items that have proved extremely unpopular with Democrats, leaving the current bill unlikely to pass the Senate. These provisions are limits placed on future increases in funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the removal of ‘climate-smart’ requirements for the use of $13 billion in conservation funding allocated in the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) earlier this year. These issues will need to be resolved if the bill is to pass before the September 30th deadline although it is possible that both the Farm bill and National Defence Authorization Act (NDAA) would remain funded until the end of the year, even without an agreement.
Conclusion
It remains unclear how the Farm Bill under consideration will look, after amendments and negotiations between the House and Senate. However, both parties have expressed the desire to pass all major legislation for FY25 before the October 1st deadline. If they fail to meet this target it is likely that funding will be allocated in the form of continuing resolutions (CR) to maintain levels of funding from the last fiscal year until a compromise can be reached or a new government installed. As the election is getting closer, lawmakers are using August and October to campaign for their respective seats and garner support for their preferred presidential candidate. Although it is unclear who the winner will be in the White House and which party will have control of Congress, the country is set for another historic election once again.
Ultimate Venison Meatballs
Enjoy these easy baked venison meatballs with your favorite sauce and pasta for a hearty, comforting meal. They’re tender and meaty without any gamey taste. A crowd-pleasing way to enjoy ground venison!
Ingredients
• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
• 1 small red or yellow onion, diced (about 1 cup )
• 4 large cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon dried tarragon
• 1 pound ground venison
• 1/2 pound ground pork
• 1 egg, or flax egg
• 1/4 cup oat flour or breadcrumbs
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 375°F.
2. Add olive oil to a skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add onion to the pan and cook until slightly softened, about 4 minutes. Add balsamic vinegar, garlic, herbs, salt and pepper and cook an additional 2 minutes. Turn off heat and let cool for a couple of minutes.
3. Meanwhile, add the remaining ingredients to a large mixing bowl. Add the cooled onion mixture and using clean hands mix together until thoroughly combined.
4. Using a medium cookie scoop, roll the mixture into balls and place on the baking sheet.
5. Bake for 22-25 minutes until the meatballs are cooked through and golden brown.
6. Use as desired or freeze for use at a later date.
GEBV:
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.
Does the sound of antlers clashing make you cringe each fall?
SAVE 5% ON PEACEMAKER THROUGH PBS ANIMAL HEALTH DURING SEPT- NOV 2023
PEACEMAKER
™
DESIGNED TO HELP INCREASE YOUR PEACE OF MIND... WHEN YOU NEED IT MOST!
Rut and reduced feed intakes can bring out the worst in bucks and irritable behavior can rear it’s ugly head!
PeaceMaker is scientifically formulated to provide optimal support levels of magnesium, Vitamin B1 and inositol to help maintain a normal and relaxed disposition in cervids
Now enhanced with appetite stimulants and probiotics for digestive health
Contains no herbals nor tryptophan, eliminating concerns of unwanted side effects
Use PeaceMaker™ to help “keep the peace” during pre-rut, rut, transportation and other key times during the year
Now available in a 30 lb resealable bag and 11.25 lb pail to help fit your operation’s needs
FAWN & DEER XTR™ PASTE R
ROBUST, FAST GI SUPPORT FOR FAWNS & OLDER DEER
Designed to quickly support normal GI health
Novel formula delivers powerful immune support
Can be used post tranquilization to help speed recovery
ENTERIC HEALTH FORMULA™
DIGESTIVE HEALTH & IMMUNE SUPPORT CERVIDS OF ALL AGES
Supports digestive health and a healthy immune system
Natural formula contains Encrypt®, egg proteins, enzymes, micro-encapsulated probiotics and a prebiotic
Top dress or mix in feed during fawning season, weather changes, times of stress and when top performance is desired
FREE business card ads for members of NYDEFA & WVDFA
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 NYDEFA & WVDFA members a way to reach out to one another for services and to buy or sell deer! There will be limited pages for these card spreads, first come first serve. The overflow would be placed in the next issue and cards will be rotated each quarter.
NY Email to: dana@abcmailbox.net or call Dana at: 315-595-2202
WV Email to: mark.cobb@gmail.com or call Mark at: 304-532-4514
Breeder Buck 2024 Showcase Magazine is here!
Just in time for semen sales, getting ready for breeding season!
We created this magazine in order for 2024 Breeder and Hunting Preserve advertisers to showcase their most recent photos of their bucks close to the last days of antler growth. We realize establishing a collective deadline for all states Fall magazines to publish on the same date to obtain last-minute photos would be impossible to achieve. With this magazine, advertisers have one more chance to showcase their bucks.
~ Thank you to all that participated!
Scan QR Code to View the Magazine!
... if you would like to participate in our 2025 magazine, give us a call for more information. 320-905-2622 or 260-222-3478
Disclaimer: The information contained in this advertisement is general in nature and is intended for use as an informational aid. It does not cover all possible uses, actions, precautions, side effects, or interactions of the medications shown, nor is the information intended as medical advice or for making an evaluation as to the risks and benefits of using a particular medication. You should consult with your veterinarian about diagnosis and treatment of any health problems. Information and statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), nor has the FDA approved the medications to diagnose, cure or prevent disease. Medications compounded by Mixlab are prepared at the direction of a veterinarian. Mixlab compounded veterinary preparations are not intended for use in food and food-producing animals. Mixlab does not recommend, endorse or make any representation about the efficacy, appropriateness or suitability of any specific dosing, products, procedures, treatments, services, opinions, veterinary care providers, or other information that may be contained in this advertisement. Mixlab is not responsible nor liable for any advice, course of treatment, diagnosis or any other information, services or products that you obtain through this advertisement.
FLORIDA DEER FARMERS
FIND CHALLENGES WITH STRONGER AND MORE FREQUENT WEATHER
By: Gail Veley • Sponsored by the Southeast Trophy Deer Association
This past September, Bill Leffler turned to a fellow elk hunter in Wyoming, the same week Category 4 Hurricane Helene was making landfall in his home state of Florida, where he owns and operates Two Base Down Farm. “What would happen here in Wyoming if 20 inches of rain fell in one day?” he asked his hunting companion. He only had to pause a moment. “Everything would disappear,” he answered.
Of the many things a Florida deer farmer faces in the aftermath of a hurricane, perhaps one of the most disturbing is “that nothing will ever be the same,” offered Ryan Boyd of 253-acre Legacy Ranch, in Jennings, Florida. “Nothing will ever, ever look the same. Hundreds of our trees were uprooted. We had a direct hit from Helene with winds up to 144 miles per hour. Somehow, we didn’t lose any deer. But so far, we’ve spent $14,000 in
tree removal alone. Insurance won’t cover it.” In the three-plus years that Ryan and his wife Glorianne have run Legacy Ranch in the Sunshine State, they, like so many other deer farmers, have endured hurricane after hurricane especially within the last few years. The most recent hurricane, Milton, made landfall October 9th as a Category 3 hurricane with winds up to 120 mph. It was the second most intense Atlantic driven hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico since Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and, at press time, the strongest tropical storm worldwide in 2024.
However, many variables make Florida, the 27th State of Our Union founded in 1845 and the 22nd largest U.S. state, an attractive and welcoming place to live. Temperatures are generally warm year-round and the tropical climate, access to scenic beaches and tourist attractions only adds to the appeal. Yet, strong hurricanes were not
unknown to residents of Florida even from the very start. In 1928, Hurricane Lake Okeechobee went on record as being the strongest hurricane ever to make landfall. The next one to match its strength would be 77 years later, Hurricane Katrina, which severely affected several southern states such as Louisiana, Florida and Georgia, Mississippi and Alabama.
Today, strong hurricanes in the state whose motto is “In God We Trust” have become the norm. Nonetheless, Leffler feels his resolve has grown in strength, too. “When Milton came there were trees and fences down and animals died,” he said. “There was no power for four or five days. You learn to be prepared with plenty of food, water and gas. I dug an 8-foot wide and 5-foot-deep trench on my property to help with the massive flooding we’ve dealt with. But others have had it much worse.”
Adding to the difficulty of storm damage management directly relates to the quantity of hurricanes that have recently occurred. “There’s so many people who need help, resources are stretched pretty thin,” said Mike Hunter of 260-acre Big Bend Hunting Preserve in Perry, Florida. “After being hit with four hurricanes in the past 13 months, it just takes the wind out of your sails. I think of all the hard work. As you get older you think about these
things and the fact that you lose a little hope. Sometimes I think about not having deer after these things happens, but I’ve never thought of leaving Florida.”
Like Hunter, Leffler and Boyd feel loyal to and rooted in Florida. “Florida is my home,” Leffler said. “You do what you need to do to survive. You become Florida Strong. We live in a beautiful state. We feel pretty blessed. In our neighborhood everyone helps everyone else. There can be silver linings in hardships. You value your friends and family even more. And you work even harder to maintain your passion for what you love doing the most. Deer farming is at the top of the list.”
You do what you need to do to survive. You become Florida Strong. “
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.
1. Carmelize Mushrooms and onions in a large pan over medium-low h eat. The timing varies on the freshness of your ingredients but should take about 7-10 minutes.
2. Preheat grill to 350°F.
3. To 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. If using a pellet grill, open the flame broiler lever to cook directly over the flames. 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!
Buckaneer Package:*
44 ISSUES FOR 1 YR. (11 Publications x 4 quarters) - 18
Answers to puzzles will be available in the next issue, or can be found on our website: www.deersites.com
Coloring pages can be mailed to Samantha Uchytil 19291 59th St NE, New London, MN 56273 or emailed to deerassociations.com for a chance to be featured in the next issue!
