Andy Nisley (2025) Dunham Lane Whitetails 2100 Dunham Lane Fredericksburg, OH 44627 330-317-3995
Executive Director
Levi Miller (2023) Sterett Knob Whitetails 2395 Harrison Rd Fredericksburg, OH 44627 wdfomiller@gmail.com 330-231-3359
TREASURER
Gary Maxwell (2026) Double G Whitetails 2021 West Sterling Rd Burbank, OH 44214 330-201-1798
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
SECRETARY
Ben Henico (2025) Timeless Whitetails 4468 E Sterling Rd Creston, OH .44217 benhenico@yahoo.com 330-73.-0571
BOARD MEMBER
Dan E Miller (2026) Outback Whitetails 13250 Clay St Middlefield, OH 44062 440-636 3781
BOARD MEMBER
Jacob Hostetler (2025) 2345 Arbor Rd. Ne Carrollton, OH 44615 740-543-4274
AUCTION COMMITTEE:
740.543.4274
BOARD MEETING INFO
WDFO board meetings are normally held on the third Monday evening of every other month. Past board members are encouraged to attend when possible and serve in an advisory position.
Any WDFO member is welcome to attend board meetings. If you would like to attend a meeting please contact any board member.
Next WDFO Board of Directors Meeting: June 17th @ 3:00pm • Dan E Millers, Middlefield, Ohio
BOARD MEMBER
Pete Miller (2024)
Marsh Valley Whitetails 14141 Old State Rd Middlefield, OH 44062 pete@muforestproducts.com 440-636-2274
BOARD MEMBER
Ervin E. Yoder (2024) H & E Deer Farm 4485 Township Road 606 Fredericksburg, OH 44637 330-695-2221
BOARD MEMBER
Lonnie Schrock (2024) Grand River Whitetails 5545 Greenville Rd West Farmington, OH 44491 440-478-3145
NEWSLETTER INFO
Any WDFO member is welcome to submit articles or stories they would like to see published. Articles will be screened by the WDFO board before printing. If you are interested in advertising refer to the Magazine Advertising rates sheet included in this issue.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS MESSAGE
From Executive Director Levi Miller
Happy Fall everyone. It is hard to believe it’s that time of year again. The bucks have shed their velvet and are pridefully strolling thru the pastures making sure everyone pays them their dues.
We had a great Fall Deer Convention with many visitors. It is always great to see all the familiar faces and to meet all the new ones. We are grateful for everyone who attends. We were able to raise $20,900 going towards Christian Aid Ministries to purchase updated search and rescue equipment. We voted in some new board members Emanuel Weaver, Delvy Workman, and Paul Troyer. We look forward to all they have to offer. They will be replacing Lonnie Schrock, Pete Miller, and Ervin Yoder. We greatly appreciate all they did during their terms. A big thank you to out Gold Sponsors Double H Whitetails, Major League Whitetails, and Whiskey River Whitetails, all of our table sponsors, those who bought booths, tickets, and to everyone who was willing to lend a hand. A successful event would not be possible without you.
We are already working on the 2025 Fall Convention. Those dates will be August 14 and 15. We will be selling tables and booths as well. The table cost has risen to $1200. Each of those tables will contain a Winchester XPR Sporter 400 Legend which will only be released for the 2025 Fall Convention.
We are once again selling 2025 calendars. You can check our website twdfo.com for the latest winners. You might see your name there. The calendars are $50 apiece. Buy a box of 10 get 2 free. Buy a box of 20 get 5 free. The calendars can be bought at Inkscape in Berlin or at 2395 Harrison Rd Fredericksburg Ohio 44627. We will ship full cases. Please call Levi at 330-231-3359 to reserve your calendars or if you have any questions.
We spent 3 days at the Farm Science Show. A shout out to Gary Maxwell and Pat Oogle for all their help. It is always entertaining listening to all the kid’s deer stories.
For all those in the Marker Testing Program the State will pay for the testing. As of now they will not pay any indemnity. But hopefully that will change in the future. All members are welcome at our board meetings. You can call a board members to find out when and where the next meeting will be held.
As for me I am taking a short vacation hunting mule deer and antelope in Wyoming with my sons and some friends. I am hoping to keep up with the young guys and not end up slung over their shoulders. If I come home without one the memories will be worth the trip. And…….. I can always make up some sort of big story.
Levi Miller
330-231-3359
wdfomiller@gmail.com
Ohio Deer Farmer’s Association Stands Together
A Note of Sincere Gratitude from President Andy Nisley
I want to start by saying how much I appreciate our board coming together to make our annual event such a huge success. When we gathered in Mount Hope, Ohio on August 15th and 16th it was one of the best events we ever had. Our fundraisers went very well and I’m very grateful for every hour Levi Miller spent making sure we could pick up the ball and run with it, after losing our beloved Terry Klick. Let me be the first to say that if Levi wants to carry on as our Executive Director, I’m sure the board would be more than happy to consider it!
As successful and enjoyable as our events are, I personally would like to be able to spend more time with each and every person who makes an effort to attend. This includes the folks from Indiana, Pennsylvania, New York, West Virginia, Michigan, our own wonderful state and others who came to be among us. Next year I say we should devote more time for meals so that we can talk, appreciate and savor the moment, and get to know each other just a little better.
As we look ahead to breeding season, I only hope everyone’s last fawning season provided the inspiration to stay excited about deer farming in Ohio. We have a great relationship with the Ohio Department of Agriculture, and I surely hope it stays that way. It seems like we have room here in the buckeye state to welcome more deer farmers. In closing let me again thank our board for everything they do. We all get along very well and will miss those whose terms may be wrapping up. We always do our best to try and ensure a bright future! God Bless!
Andy Nisley
330-317-3995
Email: nisleyconcrete78@gmail.com
Event Overview
Ohio Annual Event and Fundraiser a “Doorbuster!”
A Note of Gratitude from Executive Director Levi Miller
First of all, I just want to say that our Ohio event August 15th and 16th in Mount Hope, Ohio, was a real “doorbuster!” Our attendance and fundraiser was better than ever before, and we are looking at even higher numbers next year. I estimate close to 900 people attended. We had great food and great help. We had 109 gun-sponsored tables (and we thank you so much) and we were really happy with the result of our fundraiser as well. Of the amount we raised, $20,000 was donated to C.A.M, a northeast Ohio search and rescue team, a totally volunteer organization. We deeply believe in their cause and are always happy to support organizations such as this.
Our fundraising events would not be as lucrative without everyone’s support. We are especially grateful to our Gold Sponsors H&H Whitetails, Whiskey River Whitetails and Major League Whitetails. However, we are grateful to everyone who helped and supported us in some way including guest speakers Shawn Schafer, John Ervin Stoltzfus and a representative from the USDA. We are blessed with the extensive knowledge of these individuals and our Ohio Board of Directors who always comes together to make our events successful. We know our beloved Terry Klick was smiling down on us during such a prosperous and fun time.
We want everyone to know that they are welcome at our events, from those who simply love the outdoors and the green grass that comes with it, to those who hunt outside and within the fence and those are don’t hunt at all. We also want veterans to know that they are welcome to come and join the others who already attend every year. We really appreciate having them here and all the folks who came from different states. We look forward to seeing you back in Ohio next year, where every child leaves with a prize, Donkey Baseball rules and folks make friends and create lasting bonds. Thank you again!! We feel truly blessed.
Levi Miller
WDFO Director
“We look forward to seeing you back in Ohio next year, where every child leaves with a prize, Donkey Baseball rules and folks make friends and create lasting bonds. “ - Levi Miller
Event Set-Up!
Erica Caldwell, Ranch Manager for Prime Acres in Woodville, Texas, stands outside the pen of one of her favorite deer. She watches “Lolli” glance her direction, look up high into an oak tree, and glance back at her. “She’s one of our only deer that doesn’t like marshmallows for treats,” Caldwell explained. “She’s waiting for me to come in and pull the leaves down off the tree.”
Caldwell can easily think of several things she loves about her job, but this clearly is at the top of her list. After two and half years of working at Prime Acres, she’s as devoted to the ranch’s mission as owners Brad, Rosy and Connor Hassig. Among the whitetail that reside within 30 lush acres of breeding pens, there are also simitar horned oryx (an endangered species in the wild), black buck, bongos and
FEATURED
PRIME ACRES –RAISING MORE THAN JUST TROPHIES
By: Gail Veley
axis deer. While raising these deer for current hunters and trophy seekers is important, Caldwell feels passing the love of deer farming onto future generation is just as pertinent. “Training our children and future generations is vitally important not just for whitetails but also for the other species we have here,” Caldwell, 32, said. “Ranches like Prime Acres are helping to keep these species alive and instill a love of caring for animals.”
Breeding decisions for every species are weighed very carefully. In terms of whitetails, while maintaining strong pedigrees and a marketable look remains a priority by breeding with their own homegrown bucks such as Back in Black, Simply Irresistible and Money Talks, they are now also heavily focused on CWD resistance and the infusion of SS markers into this and all future
breeding seasons. Several new bucks are included in this season’s line up such as Shape Shifter (through a partnership with Seven C’s Whitetails) and Anchorman, (through a partnership with Springfield Whitetails.)
When breeding season is all said and done, Prime Acres plans to have 140 bred does, some through A.I. and others through embryo flushing. Brad and Erica are grateful to Stateline Cryogenics for teaching them how to collect semen in-house, as this makes for a less labor-intensive breeding season overall.
Their day-to-day labor of love has resulted in 222 adult deer and 154 fawns who currently thrive on the expansive open Texas landscape. Yet, “these deer are not just a number to Brad and Rosy,” Caldwell
FARM STORY
said. “They really care about each and every deer as an individual. This is one of the best ranches to work for. With a job this demanding it could be easy to get burned out. Brad and Rosy are great at making sure I get a day off. They just hired my husband Scott as a ranch hand. This truly makes it a family operation. We all get along really well and work really well together.”
As Prime Acres looks toward the future, they hope the growing popularity of their two hunting preserves will continue. The first preserve, a 150-acre plot adjoining the main farm, is easier to navigate on foot or in a vehicle and is geared towards older hunters and those who may not be keen for a substantially lengthy stalk and spot, or prolonged wait in a tree stand. The second preserve, a 280-acre plot of land, currently contains whitetails and exotics. It also adjoins the main farm but is filled with thicker brush and more dense
vegetation, and geared towards those who might want to spend the additional time and challenge outdoors enjoying the perfect trophy hunt.
“Anyone who comes to Prime Acres always has an unforgettable experience,” Caldwell said. “It doesn’t matter if you’re just taking a farm tour, hunting in the preserves or looking to buy a deer. We make everyone feel welcome, especially kids who are the future. This is just a really extraordinary place.”
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR POSITION
To WDFO Members,
WDFO is currently seeking a person for the position of executive director. If you or someone you know has interest in the position, please send your resume to the board for consideration. The WDFO may or may not contact you for an interview.
Duties will include but not limited to:
• Maintain membership list
• Organize WDFO events
• Expand Business
• Solicit donations for fundraisers
• Maintain WDFO website
• Write a column in WDFO newsletter
• Attend NADEFA annual fly-in
• Organize and man booth at farm science
• Work with board to expand Gun Raffle calendar
• Work wtih and take some duties from treasurer Columbus
Job requierments:
Extensive knowledge of deer farming in Ohio
Access to email and fax is preferred
Must be easily reachable by phone
Experience with legislator or lobbyist a plus
To apply send resume with info below:
Name and full contact info
I think I could help WDFO because....
Deer farming experience....
Lesgislative experience.... Previous jobs.... Current job....
Would you keep your current job?....
• Sell adds and gather info for newsletter
• Schedule and conduct handicap hunts ect
• Facilitate opportunities for preserves too
• Attend ODA cervid advisory meetings
• Start and maintain Facebook page
• Attend USAHA annual meeting
• Store WDFO trailer
• Maintain WDFO equipment
• Attend industry events to promote WDFO
• Contact legislators and meet them
Send application no later than Nov. 25
Andy Nisley
2100 Dunham Lane Fredricksburg, Ohio 44627
Email: nisleyconcrete78@gmail.com Please call Andy at 330-317-3995 to confirm receipt of application
The WDFO board would also like to thank all members for their support at our annual fundraiser on August 15th and 16th
Sincerely,
Andy Nisley
President, WDFO
330-317-3995
nisleyconcrete78@gmail.com
• USDA 15 digit ISO
• 9 digit Avid and 10 digit Euro.
• Avid SUDS delivery system.
Breeder Buck 2024 Showcase
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!
PREPARING YOUR BUCKS FOR THE HUNT COMMON SENSE ADVICE
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
By: Gail Veley • Sponsored by WOL
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.”
Ohio Fall Deer Convention
Ohio Fall Deer Convention
CONGRESSIONAL OUTLOOK PRE-ELECTION
Introduction
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.
Hilty Whitetails
Phone (260) 248-1684
1 Year Old Bucks
#1272/392131
#1210/392086
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2 Year Old Bucks
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Ohio Fall Deer Convention
Ohio Fall Deer Convention
SECONDARY DEER-BASED BUSINESSES
PROVIDING INCOME OPPORTUNITIES OUTSIDE OF DEER FARMING
By: Gail Veley • Sponsored by The Minnesota Deer Farmers Association
Finding creative and lucrative ways (within the scope of the deer industry) to subsidize your deer farm may prove beneficial and ultimately cost-effective, offers Mark Volk of Volk Whitetails in Royalton, Minnesota. When Mark and his wife Mary started their 8-acre farm in 2014, fate would later point them in a direction they never saw coming. Today, in addition to raising deer, they also own and operate CuddliEZ, a custom embroidery company that manufactures deer masks with farm logos that keeps Mary extremely (if almost) too busy. This demonstrates there are various ways to turn an additional profit from deer farming, other than just the raising and selling of deer, Volk, 40, explained.
Some of these ways include:
Deer Velvet: Widely used in oriental medicine, deer velvet, when taken as a supplement, is thought to increase joint mobility, overall flexibility, strength, energy and blood flow. Found growing on the outside of buck antlers in the summer, deer velvet contains important chemicals, amino acids and collagen. Antlers
in velvet that are properly trimmed and stored from whitetails, red deer and elk can be sold to interested manufacturers, such as Cervid Labs USA, who purchase elk antlers. Other companies who purchase antlers in velvet can be found with online research.
Deer Capes: A deer cape, essentially the hair and hide from the nose to shoulder of a deer, if properly skinned, can be sold to the taxidermy market to enhance wall mounts. They can also be prepared and used as stand-alone decorative displays.
Urine Collection: Doe and buck urine, used to cover up the scent of hunters while attracting deer to a hunting location, is a popular go-to for hunters. Several deer farmers have taken to the business of collecting, processing and selling deer urine as the demand is very high. Through the construction of special collection stalls, substantial amounts of urine can be collected in a short amount of time, adding to the appeal of starting or contributing to a urine collection and distribution business.
Antler Collection / Selling: Hard deer antlers are used to make a variety of useful items such as tools, jewelry, chew bones for dogs and much more. Single antlers and antler sheds are bought from deer farmers from a wide variety of U.S. companies and are usually priced from $8 to $15 per pound.
Antler Replication / Taxidermy:
Although very time-consuming, antler replication and taxidermy is highly sought out as the demand from hunters for these services is very high. Those in this profession are never without work and devote long hours to perfecting their craft and keeping customers happy.
Farm Tours: A fascination with deer, particularly whitetails, is the driving force behind every deer farmer’s desire to raise deer. Likewise, the general public often shares this fascination and curiosity. For several years Mike Czora and Sandy Malone of Prime Whitetails in Rush, New York offered “Walk with Whitetails,” at a reasonable price to individuals and families interested in an up close and personal experience, after they realized how popular it could be. Turns out they were right.
“Our secondary deer business of making embroidered deer masks has helped us cover the cost of our feed,” Volk said. “It can be vital to look for other ways to financially subsidize your farm. We all know how quickly costs add up and how important having discretionary income can be.”
IF YOU HAVEN’T TRIED PNEU-DART’S RDD S, YOU’RE MISSING MORE THAN YOUR TARGET
Magazine Deadlines / Event Calendar
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.
FALLOW DEER GAINING IN DEMAND AND POPULARITY
By: Gail Veley • Sponsored by WOO
Fallow deer, known for their hardiness, adaptability and apparent resistance to contracting CWD and EHD, are gaining popularity as perhaps a more low-risk animal to raise, compared to whitetails. Although whitetails are and always will remain the Number One animal in North America to hunt, producers and hunters alike are increasingly intrigued by fallow deer with their unique paddle or rack with tines. “I’ve had hunters willing to pay $50,000 to $500,000 for the right fallow buck,” shared Lance Clawson of Caveman Wildlife in Austin, Texas. Credited as being one of the first in the U.S. to raise high-end pedigreed fallow deer, Clawson maintains a herd of approximately 150 in a partnership with Jason Milligan of Cross Canyon Whitetails. Clawson also partners with Chris Ezell on a herd numbering approximately 160 at Ezell’s farm, Dangerous Whitetails of Oklahoma in Adair, Oklahoma.
Originally from Europe, fallow deer were brought to the U.S. during the 19th century as domesticated animals
and as such, no license is currently needed to raise them, said Ezell, who has raised fallow deer for nine years. Having originally bought them to merely help keep the grass “mowed” on his expansive farm, Ezell started appreciating more and more their calmness and their ability to take stressful situations in-stride. Even better was “a combination of three very important things. Their hardiness, they adapt to any environment, are CWD non-susceptible and don’t get EHD,” Ezell emphasized. “They are very efficient animals and usually have only one fawn in June with an unbelievable success rate.”
Clawson, who’s efficiently raised fallow deer for 20 years, first promoted them as a viable choice for hunters from his booth at a Texas Deer Breeders Association show in 2015, after CWD started becoming a more prevalent issue for whitetail breeders in Texas. Pleasantly surprised by the response he received, Clawson said he “just kept going with it.” He began to work steadfast towards developing a registry and later found support through The Exotic Wildlife Association in Kerrville, Texas. “I feel a strong allegiance toward the EWA for coming through for those of us who raise fallows and want to continuously improve them through quality genetics and pedigrees,” Clawson said. More recently, The North American Deer Registry (NADR) began a fallow deer registry as well.
While Clawson, 54, admits he may not be a professional at marketing his fallow deer, he appears to be a professional at producing world-record bucks. “We are creating a species that has never been seen before” said Clawson, whose farm sports
“The 400” Club” with the likes of American Made, Lightening and Bullwinkle, the fallow buck unofficial world record holder. “Everyone who visits our farm immediately wants to go and see Bullwinkle,” Clawson said. “They are immediately drawn to him and intrigued by his size and stature.”
Under the right setting and super genetics, fallow deer racks (or palmate racks as they are called) can be four to six inches wide, Ezell said. “With superior genetics, they could be 10 to 15 inches wide. Fallow deer can also be a variety of coat colors and look different from each other.” Since he began promoting his fallow deer, Ezell has shipped them to states such as Missouri, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Maine, Wisconsin, Minnesota and Illinois. Using embryo transfer, he and Clawson and Milligan have helped improve the genetics on both of their farms in a continuous effort to make a science out of raising fallow deer. “They are also good eating and big for the meat industry,” Ezell said. “The future for fallow deer is very bright.”
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.
EHD, Ect.
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.
Buckaneer Package:*
44 ISSUES FOR 1 YR. (11 Publications x 4 quarters) - 18
If you would like your card featured on our business card pages please send your card to: Levi Miller • 2395 Harrison Rd • Fredericksburg, OH 44627 wdfomiller@gmail.com • 330-695-7103
This gives Whitetail Deer Farmers of Ohio 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 according to space availability.
MAKE SURE TO RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP!!
If you have already renewed for 2024 THANK YOU!
Benefits you will experience as a current member include:
• Quarterly Newsletters containing information, education, and an opportunity for you to advertise along with an emailed ebook each quarter.
• Invites to all State Association Events and National Events.
• Connections to other cervid breeders and preserves. Communications about recent events and legislation affecting your cervid operation.
• Member listing and Free business card placement in the quarterly magazines. Periodic emails about upcoming events.
