Ohio Summer 2024 by DandKDesign

WDFO CONVENTION It’s right around the corner! August 15 - 16, 2024 SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL DEER ASSOCIATION

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

440.476.5743

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.

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.

President’s Message

A Word from President Andy Nisley

It is the members of our association that make it such a great thing to be a part of. As your president, I strongly encourage all of you take a good, long look at the qualified and eager candidates running for our Board of Directors this August. We have a very good group and need your in-person vote at our August Annual Convention and Auction on the 15th and 16th at The Mount Hope Event Center in Mt. Hope, Ohio.

I’d like to also thank everyone for the way they’ve pitched in to help and fill in all the gaps with our association needs, ever since Terry Klick passed away. He put his whole heart into our association and is absence is felt. However, I know the strength of our association will help carry us through. We are hoping to see everyone at our event. It’s definitely one not to miss. We are expecting to have a really great time!

Here in Ohio, we have a lot to be thankful for, from the support of The Ohio Department of AG, our demand for deer and our open border. I believe in my heart that Ohio is one of the top states for deer farming. As a 17-year member of our association (four of them as a board member and two as your president) I would have to say it was the friendly atmosphere and my enjoyment of spending time with fellow deer farmers, that made me know this was a great group and great state to deer farm. I have spent many happy and content hours running my family-owned deer farm, Dunham Lane Whitetails in Fredericksburg, Ohio, thanks to folks like you.

If you have any questions or concerns about anything, you can always give me a call! See you soon!!

Andy Nisley

330-317-3995

Email: nisleyconcrete78@gmail.com

To help us prepare for meal count and seating at our upcoming Annual Convention, please take a minute to register if you have computer or cell phone access. We have a designated site that is very easy to register yourself and any guests you are planning to bring. The event is Free of charge so bring the whole family, there are lots of activities for all! See you there!

ohiodeer.wildapricot.org

BOARD MEMBER

Paul Troyer Jr.

My name is Paul Troyer Jr. I am 50 yrs old and had a love for whitetails since I was a young boy. Carol and I have been married for 30 yrs and raised whitetail for 29 yrs. I served on the auction committee for 10 years and enjoy working with fellow deer farmers to hlep keep and pmprove our industry.

If elected I will try to do my best to help improve this industy in the future.

Paul Troyer Jr.

Emanuel (MONY) Weaver

Hello Fellow Deer Farmers,

Twas asked to run for the WDFO, Whitetail Feer Farmers of Ohio, board.

My name is Emanuel (MONY) Weaver, I am 69 years old, and have lived in Ohio all my life. At present I live at 5274 S Kansas Rd, Apple Creek, Ohio 44606.

I was a deer farmer for 26 years, till i had to kill all my deer because of a CWD postive on my farm. That was in August of 2020. With all my pens I decided to get into farming sheep and goats. We now have Rocky Mountain Big Horns, Transcaspian Urails in sheep, and Markhors and Ibex in goats,

I have never served on the WDFO board, but spent many years on the Deer Auction board. I will try and do my best, if I am elected to serve, on the WDFO board.

Emanuel (MONY) Weaver

Lonnie Schrock

WDFO

Hello - Everyone in Whitetail World

We started raising whitetails in 2005. The amazing whitetail and family involvement was the driving factor to invest. After 19 years a lot of friends and learning experiences were had. I would be well satisfied if other board members would be elected but will do my part if re-elected. Thanks to the rest of the board and prior boards for all the insight to keep the whitetail industry moving forward.

Yours truly, Lonnie Schrock

CANDIDATES

Delvy Workman

I was born and raised in Ashland, Ohio. I started my working career being a certified welder and logging. About 14 years ago I became involved managing a whitetail breeding facility recently known as L.A Whitetails.

Over the last 5 years I have been focusing on managing Premier Whitetail Retreat and hauling whitetail deer and exotics under my business Deerworks LLC. I previously served on the WDFO board for 6 years, termed out in 2023.

I am Looking forward to another opportunity to be involved in a brighter future for deer farming in Ohio

Thanks, Delvy Workman

Russel Ogle

I’m a well-rounded and dedicated worker who strives to please. I am hardworking and enjoy the intrinsic feeling of accomplishment al the end of a long day. With a history of jobs in several fields and an eager to learn attitude, I commend myself in my adaptability and versatility, I hope to show I’d be a great addition to your organization.

EDUCATION

The University of WyoTech Daytona Florida

- Associate degree

Logan High School - High school diploma

RELEVANT EXPERIENCE

Future Farmers of America / 4-H organization

• Communication

• Reliable and Trustworthy

• Decision-making

• Active Listening

• People skills

• Planning

• Work ethic

• Oraganizalional skills

• Critical thinking

• Collaboration

Owned·

Hocking Hills Whitetails, Hocking Counly, Ohio I 20192021

Farm Manager· Major League Whitetails, Logan, Ohio / 2021-Present

• Oversee and manage 236 head of Whitetails

Assistant Manager Double Play Hunting Preserve, Athens Ohio I 2021-Present

Help manage herd health and productivity. Species include Whitetails, Fallow, Rams, Elk, Buffalo.

Worked trade show booth for· WTDFO with Terry Klick

• Slark County Fair

• Farm Science Review

• Northeast: Ohio Sportsman Show

MEMBERSHIPS

• North American Deer Farmers Association

• Whitetail deer farmers of Ohio

EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS MESSAGE

Ohio Deer Farmer’s Association Anticipating Strong Attendance in August

From Executive Director Levi Miller

More booth space has been sold than ever before for our upcoming August Annual Convention, and we anticipate a very strong turnout as we gather at The Mt. Hope Event Center in Mt. Hope, Ohio August 15th and 16th for a very memorable event. We only have a few booth spaces left and I say if you want one to ‘jump on it’ and give me a call as soon as you can! In planning our convention, we got it going the way Terry Klick would have wanted it, and we know he will be watching over us!

Two busloads of convention participants are coming from Indiana as well as others from Pennsylvania and Missouri and maybe even Kentucky and elsewhere. Thursday night we are having a Members Meeting and plan to appoint two new members to the board and consider reelection for current Board Member Lonnie Schrock. Fine, enthusiastic and qualified candidates for the remaining two positions include Paul Troyer, Delvy Workman, Emanual Weaver and Russell Ogle. Please plan on attending this important meeting and in-person board election.

Our convention will certainly be memorable in other ways as we have a real game of Donkey Baseball (with live donkeys!) planned for Thursday night after the Members Meeting. We will have four teams, one from Indiana, one from Pennsylvania and two from Ohio. Winners from each game will then play each other for the championship. This will be a great time and of course free of charge! We also expect our fundraiser to do well, and eagerly await the opportunity to meet the now five-year-old boy who received a heart transplant last year through the financial help of our association. He will make a special appearance during the convention. Helping others, I feel, is what we’re all about and what we like to do. If anyone knows of a handicapped child who would like to go hunting, please let me know.

In closing, I hope everyone had a great fawning season (I had one of my best!) and that you are enjoying all the bucks growing out. Deer farming never has a dull moment and we all consider ourselves fortunate to be a part of it.

Levi Miller

330-231-3359

wdfomiller@gmail.com

OHIO FALL DEER CONVENTION

At the Mt Hope Event Center | Thursday & Friday, August 15 & 16

TABLES (8 PEOPLE)

$1000 Table purchase includes all meals for event.

Each table wins a gun & gets 8 UTV tickets.

8 cards of basket raffle tickets + other free gifts.

INDIVIDUAL SEATS

can be purchased for gun tables for $150 per seat. There will also be plenty of free seats available if you do not wish to purchase a table.

BOOTHS (10X10)

$250

Booth space will be very limited.

LOTS OF RAFFLE PRIZES

Women’s Raffle

Sewing Machine

$500 Cash Mixer

Huge Basket Raffle

Johnny Blind Raffle

Main Raffle

Kawasaki Mule

Stihl HT 135 Pole Saw

Blackstone Griddle

St. Croix Rod & Reel

Solo Stove ‘Bonfire’

Gun Blitz

Draw subject to availability.

Kid’s Gator Raffle

Early Bird Ticket Packet

$500 ticket value for $300

The cost of the event is free. Consider booking a room and spending a night or two. This event is open to the public. Everyone is welcome. For more information call Levi at 330-231-3359

OHIO FALL DEER CONVENTION

Commit to selling 5 or more bucks before July 5th and get a free hotel room for 2 nights.

At the Mt Hope Event Center | Thursday & Friday, August 15 & 16

Not Sure About Selling at a Buck Auction?

Below are a few examples of what good bucks sold for the past 2 years at the Ohio Auction.

Are You

Selling

for

Less Off the Farm?

THURSDAY, AUGUST 15TH

7:00 AM Booth Setup

9:00 AM Booth Visitation 12:00 Free Lunch

1:00 PM Auction Starts with Elite 25 (Selling Approximately 150 lots)

4:30 PM WDFO Annual Membership Meeting followed by Speakers

5:00-6:30 PM Dinner Served (ticket required)

7:00 PM Donkey Ball Game 10:00 PM Exhibit Hall Closes

FRIDAY, AUGUST 16TH

7:00 AM Doors Open 9:00 AM Auction starts 11:30-12:30 PM Free Lunch

Call Mark Mast today at 330-473-2419 about selling your bucks in the Ohio auction. MARK MAST 330-473-2419 STEVE CHUPP 330-465-4725 JOHN WHETSTONE 574-773-2179

4:30-6:30 PM Dinner Served (ticket required)

6:30 PM WDFO Benefit Auction, followed by Raffle Drawings App. 9:30 PM Event Ends

Schedule is subject to change. Stay tuned for updates.

Auction Deadlines

Breeder Auction July 5th Buck Auction August 2nd Ad Deadline August 5th ohiodeerauction@gmail.com www.buckeyewhitetailauctions.com

Pennsylvania

Southeast

Tri-State

United

Magazine Deadlines / Event Calendar

Antler Competition will be held during the Ohio Fall Deer Convention

Bring your best antler pictures for judging.

Yearling • 2 Year Old • 3 Year Old Trophies will be awarded

$50 Fee per Entry

Catalogs, Brochures, Flyers, Invoices, Custom Forms, Notepads, Posters, Postcards, Business Cards, Calendars, Envelopes, Vinyl Banners

Every summer in the late 80’s, as a young teenaged boy, Eddie Ray Borkholder would put out a sign at the front of his Nappanee, Indiana home. It read “Fawns for Sale. $100.” He never had to wait long for interested customers. Turns out, no one can resist a fawn. In 1999, Jim Davidson was on his tractor one early June morning in Marshall, Illinois, when he saw an adult doe get hit and killed by a car. He quickly discovered she had a doe fawn. He made two or three rounds near the road to check on it, worried it would suffer the same fate as it’s mother.

Pretty soon, the little bleating fawn started following him. Concerned for her welfare, Jim, now 80, climbed down from his tractor, scooped up the precocious new life in his arms, and put her in the tractor with him. He rode all day with the tiny fawn either in his lap or right next to him. When daylight began to fade, he wasn’t sure what to do, although he was certain he couldn’t let her go out on her own. That night, as a gift he gave her to his very young grandchildren Derrick and Taylor, who shrieked with love for their new

GENERATIONAL FARMING PASSING DOWN THE LOVE OF

AGRICULTURE AND THE OUTDOORS

By: Gail Veley • Sponsored by The Indiana Deer and Elk Farmers Association

pet and named her Bambi. When their father Rick Davidson (who would later own Illinois Dominant Bucks) got home, he was initially not pleased with what his father had done. At all. However, it turned out to be the best thing that ever happened to their family. And what began as just a love for deer, later turned into a full-blown business after buying 200 acres in 2005 from his Aunt Francie.

Like Davidson, Borkholder’s simple love of deer took a more serious turn in the 1990’s when he started his unique Patrick line and Pine Creek Deer Farm. However, a love for agriculture and all that came with it started much earlier for Borkholder and Davidson by the generations of family members before them, who knew what it was like to be up every morning before sunrise, work long hard hours in the sting of the cold or burning of the sun (along with

working up a hearty appetite) and later drop in bed grateful, tired and ready to start all over again the next day. Eddie Ray, the first is his family to farm deer, grew up learning the art of crop and dairy farming from his father, grandfather and great grandfather. His son Josie, in learning the art of raising deer, felt in his younger years that farming itself was, honestly, just a lot of hard, hard work. “Looking back, I see it now as more of a luxury and bonding time with Dad,” reflected Josie, who now owns Lone Pine Deer Farm with James Slaubaugh. “Today, farming is getting lost. We need to look at creative ways to continue, and deer farming is one way to do that. Dairy farming has become so

commercial and there aren’t many new dairy farms starting up. If we don’t take the opportunity now to carry farming forward it will be lost.”

Davidson, the first is his family to raise deer, is a 5th generation farmer, who comes from a long line of long-lived farmers who raised dairy cows and grew corn, soybeans and alfalfa. When most

children were learning to ride bikes, Davidson was learning to drive a tractor. As age six he sat behind the wheel for the first time, his great great grandfather Richard “Dick” Davidson patiently walking beside him, teaching him the skill needed to drive the now long outdated Ford 8N stick shift two-wheel drive metal seated tractor. “It took a while for me to catch on,” Davidson said. However, he learned along with that experience what drove his grandfather to farm his land. “Farming gets in your blood,” he said. “At first, I wasn’t sure I wanted to farm and work as hard as my Dad. It was only after going away to college and being away from it, that I realized how much I missed it. It’s critical to keep family farms going. Farming is the backbone of our country. We are always going

to need to eat. Without farming, we lose valuable land and the love of the outdoors. Deer farming is an extension of that love and something we need to continue to pass down.”

Trophy Breeder Bucks Showcase Book 2024 Application

Advertisers running ads in any of the 2024 Multi State Association Magazines will have the opportunity to place a single buck update photo in the D&K Design September Showcase Book.

Reservation for space and buck info will be due no later than August 14th, 2024. If you have an existing picture ready to go, that will also be due at that time. If you would like to send in a last minute photo of your buck, the cutoff date is Monday, September 2nd by 9am CST. Placement will be in order of ﬁrst come ﬁrst serve. Printing and mailing will start September 4th and be in hand between September 16th-20th. Just in time for semen sales getting ready for Breeding Season. These will be mailed to members of the 19 state associations we service. (More information will be mailed out to all current advertisers closer to the date)

Cost: $175.00 each 1/4 page ad or 4 for $650.00 (Pre-register and we will contact you for further information)

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.

PREPARING DOES FOR BREEDING SEASON

ADVICE FROM ALABAMA

By: Gail Veley • Sponsored by The Alabama Deer Farmers Association

Successfully getting your does from the weaning pens to the breeding pens can be considered somewhat of a science, perfected through the course of experience combined with a little trial and error. “Breeding plans can get complicated with everything you need to consider such as CWD resistance, pedigrees and antlers,” explains Cameron Odom, owner of Five O’s Ranch, a 41-acre spread begun in 2015 in Citronelle, Alabama. At Five O’s Ranch, a farm which is currently home to 140 deer that is expecting close to 100 fawns in the spring, “we make every effort to make sure our does are as healthy as they can be and ready for breeding season.”

At the forefront of these preparations should be the constant monitoring for and prevention of EHD. The city of Citronelle, known since 1955 as the oil capital of Alabama and located 34 miles north of Mobile, has its fair share of annual rain and occasional hurricanes and along with that a higher prevalence of bacteria, midge flies and EHD.

“If a doe has had a bout of EHD close to breeding season, I highly recommend not putting her through the stress of A.I.,” Odom, 48, said. “At our farm, we would breed her naturally instead through live cover.”

To have the healthiest does, a diet high in quality hay, grain and minerals is recommended yearround, with an increase of those things during the winter and spring months as fawns are developing, born and raised (simultaneously along with future breeding plans and preparations.) “I feel this is something every farm should practice, along with regular wormings and vaccinations, to ensure their does have appropriate antibodies and that their body condition is good,” Odom said.

Body condition and overall health also factors into weaning fawns. “If one of your does becomes sick in August or September, it’s not recommended that you compound the situation by pulling fawns off,” Odom said. “Wait a couple weeks

or so until she is healthy again. Remember you want your does as strong and as healthy as they can get as breeding season approaches.”

A strong hunting economy, perpetuated by an abundance of state-wide preserves, means the demand for deer is high. In Alabama, a closed-border state, maintaining healthy deer herds is essential to the long-term success of every deer farm. “Essentially, good animal husbandry is the biggest key to success,” Odom shared. “Knowing your herd and laying eyes of them every day, even twice a day, is an important part of this. Be vigilant and aware. Vaccinate and utilize A.I. whenever you can to increase hearty genetic variety while being mindful of your end market. Is CWD resistance important? Antler size? Negative GEBV markers? Or all of the above?”

Odom feels everyone involved in The Alabama Deer Farmers Association strives hard to stay abreast of the latest industry trends, and to be compliant with the regulations set in place by The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. “We have a great group of deer farmers operating well-run and well managed deer farms,” Odom said. “We are grateful for the opportunity to do what we love with the support of our spouses, friends, family and customers.”

LEGISLATIVE RELATIONSHIPS MATTER

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

Establishing legislative relationships when there isn’t a pressing issue can be fundamental in solving issues if and when they do arise, explains Dr. Ray Favero of Whitetail Genetics in Braidwood, Illinois. “Being able to see the people one-on-one that make legislative decisions and deepening these relationships, helps in bringing both sides together to solve issues when that time comes,” he added. In a time where the farmed deer industry is still growing, it has never seemed more popular. With that, the urge to combat CWD has gained matching momentum and as a result, great conflicts in some states among deer farmers and the powers that be. However, some states have experienced firsthand the benefits of resolving issues, while others are just starting their own battles.

For example, each spring in Pierre, South Dakota, members of The South Dakota Deer and Elk Association sit down face-to-face with members of the South Dakota Animal Industry Board to discuss issues and solve problems such as CWD. In 2021, Missouri deer farmers rejoiced after a revised Wildlife Code was established, giving them more leeway for dealing with CWD testing from deer mortalities, among other beneficial things. In Oklahoma, the recent November 1st, 2023, passage of House Bill 1844 has opened

their borders for receiving deer, greatly aiding the ability to operate on a larger scale. Oklahoma also recently passed legislation enabling the release of farm raised deer into the wild, to help introduce CWD resistant animals into wild herds. These are just a few examples of success stories. Yet, in Minnesota, deer farmers have only recently begun a legal battle to change difficult rules and regulations scheduled to take effect September 1st of this year.

However, none of the progress made within states enjoying more relaxed regulations would have taken place, without all sides being willing to come together and discuss concerns face-to-face. In Dr. Favero’s home state of Illinois, regulations for deer farming have never been “terribly bad,” he said. “One of our large problems a while back was that landowners would call the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) and ask about deer farming. The response from the DNR was ‘no it’s illegal and the department is not issuing any new permits.’ After years and personnel changes and talking with the DNR, staff finally began telling the landowners the truth. Having state deer association representation through lobbyists is a vital component in accomplishing goals such as this, as well as opening lines of communication for correct

information to be obtained. If you think strictly in terms of partisan politics, you might not get far,” he shared. “In the Illinois House and Senate, we are about 70% liberal but through a lobbyist you bring both sides together and compromise, especially with one that’s been around for a while. The American Farm Bureau is an excellent way to find lobbyists, or through a referral from another allied organization. Make sure a couple of your state deer association members are also members of the Farm Bureau and Farmers Union, as both sides of the political isle need to be covered.” These proactive measures can also potentially assist in explaining the economic benefit that deer farming is within a state. “Here in Illinois, hunting preserves are part of our growth,” Dr. Favero emphasized. “Now we have seven or eight where we used to only have two or three.” Standing behind every hard-working deer farmer in North America is NADeFA. Each year, selected representatives spend a few days in Washington, D.C. to interact with national lobbyists and to mingle with senators and individuals from state departments. “We may not necessarily discuss specific issues,” Dr. Favero said. “But it is rather all about relationship building. They’ve been very, very good trips. These trips to Washington are very beneficial to NADEFA and are very personally rewarding.”

IF YOU HAVEN’T TRIED PNEU-DART’S RDD S , YOU’RE MISSING MORE THAN YOUR TARGET

Did you know impact trauma can negatively influence medical treatment? We do. Which is why we’ve spent 55+ years perfecting the ideal remote delivery device. Shorter in length and lightest on the market, our disposable RDDs, with patented Slo-Inject® technology, provide ultimate accuracy while reducing the potential for problematic hematomas. Pneu-Dart. When you can’t afford to miss.®

ACT PROMPTLY TO TREAT DAMAGED OR INFECTED ANTLERS

By: Gail Veley • Sponsored by KALA

The site of blood on a buck’s antler should mean one thing to any deer farmer. Drop everything and treat it. Whether treatment involves cutting the antlers or administering first aid in the form of antibiotics or topical ointments “don’t push it off until the next day,” said Joe Miller of Kentucky Whitetails, a 17-acre deer farm home to approximately 90 whitetails in Guthrie, Kentucky. “You can’t say ‘I will do it tomorrow.’ The possibility of serious problems or losing that buck to a blood infection is real.”

Although not formally recognized as a predator in the traditional sense, flies can cause blood infections should they lay eggs in an untreated infected antler and maggots result. “If you can control the flies, you have a better chance of avoiding this,” offers Nathan Blosser of Blosser Whitetails, a 50-acre farm with close to 400 whitetail deer in Buffalo, Missouri. Miller and Blosser agree that feeding topical ivermectin on deer feed can be a good defense against maggots as well as a worthwhile proactive health measure.

While injuries such as those caused from feeders or fencing can cause antler damage, shedding season also poses risks if antlers aren’t shed within a day, advised Miller, and recommends all deer farmers own a Callicrate Velvet Antler Bander to safely cut antlers and minimize bleeding for such occasions. “The bigger the antlers, the harder time they have shedding them,” said Miller, 65, a deer farmer since 1999. “If they aren’t shed in a day, flies can get in there and poison them. If so, we dart them when it’s cool, cut the antlers and clean them from the base and leave about three inches. Then we give a heavy dose of ivermectin and a shot of the long-lasting antibiotic Draxxin and sometimes a regular dose of penicillin

on top of it. We also put caustic powder on the ends to help it heal faster. Some farmers like to burn the tips. We’ve never done that.”

Congruently, Blosser, 56, has found in addition to using antibiotics, that Melaluca oil is excellent at deterring flies while penetrating into and cleaning antlers. He also uses Aluma Shield (used traditionally on wounds in horse hooves) that creates an aerosol bandage to protect from outside elements. Although both Blosser and Miller only see infected antlers less than a handful of times each year on their prospective farms, each had more cases earlier on in their deer farming careers. As a result, Miller, who prefers to raise typicals with a “little extra,” constructed a better feeder with 6 x 6 posts placed ten feet apart accompanied by eight or 10-inch PVC pipe after seeing the antler damage the original one had caused. “Now, if they jerk their head up, they won’t hit anything. Most of the time It’s the drop tines or more non-typical frames that can give you the biggest problems with catching or hitting things,” he added.

Drop tines, combined with reaching under fencing to get to grass can be another major cause of antler damage,

Blosser found, who also prefers to raise typicals with a “little extra.” “So don’t leave your deer in bare pens if there is tempting grass growing right on the other side of it,” he said. “This type of management and prevention is the key to avoiding antler damage along with regularly observing your animals. If caught early enough, an antler infection can show improvement in one day. If not and the infection has become septic, it may take a buck as long as two weeks to be back to normal. Taking action early along with fly control is important in keeping your herd healthy.”

Lastly, no matter how bad you believe an antler infection is “you’ve always got to try and save them,” Miller said. “With all the time and effort put into raising them, it’s always worth trying.”

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

Blosser uses this type of feeder on his deer farm

Easy Venison Pie

Make a venison pie packed with pancetta, mushrooms and red wine, topped with golden puff pastry. It’s cooked low and slow for beautifully tender meat.

Ingredients

• 2½ tbsp sunflower oil

• 2lbs diced venison

• 3.5oz smoked bacon lardons, pancetta or chopped smoked streaky bacon

• 2 onions, roughly chopped

• 2 bay leaves

• 7oz chestnut mushrooms, quartered, or baby chestnut mushrooms, halved

• 3 tbsp plain flour

• 1 tbsp ketchup

• 5oz red wine or dark ale (optional)

• 2 beef stock cubes mixed with 20oz boiling water

• 1 egg yolk, beaten (freeze the white for another recipe)

• 13oz sheet of ready-rolled puff pastry

Instructions

1. Heat the oven to 320F. Heat half the oil in a large flameproof casserole, brown the venison well in batches for 10 mins over a high heat, then set aside. Scatter the bacon into the pan with another ½ tbsp oil and sizzle for 8-10 mins until golden. Stir through the onions and bay leaves, drizzling with the remaining oil, and cook over a low heat for 5 mins until browned. Lower the heat to medium, then add the mushrooms and cook for a few minutes more until softened.

2. Scatter over the flour, stirring until the flour turns brown. Tip the meat and any juices back into the pan along with the ketchup and give it all a good stir. Pour over the wine or ale, if using, and bring to the boil. Bubble for a few minutes, then pour over the stock. Season and bring to a simmer. Cover with a lid and put in the oven for about 2 hrs until the meat is tender. Will keep chilled for three days or frozen for up to three months. Leave to cool completely first. Defrost in a fridge overnight before reheating thoroughly in a microwave or pan until the meat is piping hot.

3. To make the pie, heat the oven to 425F. Tip the filling into a 24-26cm rimmed pie dish and brush the rim of the dish with some of the egg yolk. Unravel the pastry, drape it over the dish and use a knife to trim and press against the rim. Re-roll the trimmings to make a decoration, if you like. Will keep covered and frozen for up to three months. Defrost fully before continuing with step three.

4. Brush the pie with the remaining egg yolk and season with sea salt flakes, if you like. Make a few little slits in the centre of the pie to allow the steam to escape, and bake for 30-35 mins until deep golden.

Micr ochips

• USDA 15 digit ISO

• 9 digit Avid and 10 digit Euro.

Avid Reader s

• Avid MiniTracker Livestock Reader specially priced.

• Blue Tooth® option.

• Dependable Fast, Accurate read EVERY Time!

• U.S.A. made and service.

Benefit

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.

Your Business Card HERE!

Hilty Whitetails

Phone (260) 248-1684

1 Year Old Bucks

#1272/392131 Red Barron/Texas Tea/Gladiator

#1247/392113 Issac/Fed Ex/Gladiator

#1243/392111 Red Barron/Champion Express/Indiana Express

#1295/392152 The Heat/Shadow/Texas Tea

#1210/392086 Red Barron/Champion Express/Champion Express

#1300/392156 Iceman/Free Agent/Fed Ex

2 Year Old Bucks

#1081/392431 Highpower/Gladiator/GB Buckster

#1083/392432 Highpower/Unforgiven/Gladiator

#1114/392442 Red Barron/Unforgiven/B-1

#1150/392449 Red Barron/Duracell/GXL

#1075/392426 Red Barron/Maxbo Ranger/Doc

#1092/392435 Red Barron/Champion Express/Dream Ranger

#1107/392439 Red Barron/Champion Express/GXL

#1143/392447 Red Barron/GXL/Texas Tea

-0.001827

AN ACT

By: Archer, Moore, and Pfeiffer of the House and Green and Bullard of the Senate

ENROLLED HOUSE BILL NO. 3462

An Act relating to live game; creating the Chronic Wasting Disease Genetic Improvement Act; requiring creation of certain pilot program by certain date; establishing program’s purpose to enhance genetic durability of Oklahoma deer against chronic wasting disease; establishing program at the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry; requiring certain assistance of the Department of Wildlife Conservation; requiring collection of DNA samples; requiring certain procedures and determinations; allowing for the establishment of testing locations; limiting participation in program; providing for certain timeline of program activity; authorizing the promulgation of rules; providing for a one-time permit fee; providing for codification; and providing an effective date.

SUBJECT: Live game

BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA:

SECTION 1. NEW LAW A new section of law to be codified in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 6-520 of Title 2, unless there is created a duplication in numbering, reads as follows:

A. This section shall be known and may be cited as the “Chronic Wasting Disease Genetic Improvement Act”.

B. No later than November 1, 2024, the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry shall establish a pilot program to enhance the genetic durability of Oklahoma deer against chronic wasting disease. Such pilot program shall include, but not be limited to, the following program characteristics:

1. The Department of Wildlife Conservation will begin collecting DNA samples to establish a baseline of average genetic codon markers and genomic breeding values for native, free-ranging Oklahoma whitetailed deer. For establishing testing locations in the state, the Department shall use Interstates 35 and 40 as dividing lines or established Department deer management zones as published in the current hunting regulations guide;

2. Limit participation in the program to native white-tailed deer, born and raised in Oklahoma with genetic resistance breeding, including the SS allele at codon 96, and that surpass the genomic estimated breeding value cutoff established for the program by the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry; and

3. Beginning in 2026, during the months of February and March and through the fifteenth of April, bred female and male deer may be released.

C. The Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry and the Department of Wildlife Conservation may promulgate rules as needed to implement the provisions of this act.

D. The Department of Wildlife Conservation may charge a one-time permit fee, which shall not exceed Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00), for citizens purchasing deer as a result of criteria established in the pilot program.

SECTION 2. This act shall become effective October 1, 2024.

Whitetails of Oklahoma is proud of their Legislators, Wildlife Agency, and Ag Department, for all working together to make Oklahoma leaders in the nation.

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.

Backyard

Barbecue

Butterflies

Canoeing

Festivals

Fireworks

Gardening

Hayride

Humid

Strawberries

Sunshine

Watermelon

INVEST IN SEMEN STRAWS

WISELY AND THOUGHTFULLY

By: Gail Veley • Sponsored by UDFOM

Any deer farmer who’s bought semen straws for the last five to six years more-than-likely “has too much semen,” explains Alex Draper of DD Deer Farms in Clio, Michigan. Although semen straws allow a deer farmer to breed with perhaps the best buck on the market, that same buck may be replaced by another the following year with even better and more desirable traits, making semen straws of the previous year’s buck obsolete. “If you bought more semen from a buck than you can use in one breeding season, you may have wasted your money,” Draper advised.

Individual semen straws, which can vary greatly in price depending on the buck, typically cover two to three does through vaginal A.I. or one to two does through the use of an insemination gun. And while diversifying genetics can be the focus of a deer farmer each breeding season, Draper, 71, a deer farmer of 32-plus years, cautions to study conception rates and to consider your budget and goals beforehand. Should your budget allow for five semen straws, buy five of the same buck you desire to breed to, rather than one straw from five different bucks. “If you only buy one straw from one buck, and you only end up with one surviving fawn from that straw that dies later in the fall, you’ve lost the genetic potential of that entire straw,” he said. “Buy enough to make a difference. It’s better to make sure you end up with the offspring you were after. When you are buying semen, you also need a good grasp on genetics and should breed for paper (pedigrees) or better genetics going forward.”

However, even though keeping up with industry trends has it’s advantages, Draper, whose focus in the past few years has been on raising typicals, is

now charting a different course for his farm. This fall and in subsequent years to come, he will be focusing on genetic breeding values (GBV’s) which estimate an animal’s genetic merit for a particular trait and while defining the superiority or inferiority of it’s offspring. In the case of whitetail deer, Draper along with other deer farmers, are realizing the increased need to breed for CWD resistance. To this end, Draper may use some of the semen straws from his old inventory to help perpetuate this goal. “Be aware that some big bucks on the scene now have no GBV’s,” he said. To date, as a result of making informed choices about the purchase of semen straws, more than half of the breeder bucks on Draper’s farm possess the “SS” allele or better. Through his studies, Draper has found he likes “K’s” and “H’s” and anything equal to the “SS” allele but without a “G” link to it. Alleles, defined as one or two alternative forms of a gene that arise by mutation and are found at the same place on a chromosome, may strongly determine a whitetail’s potential resistance to CWD.

“Don’t get me wrong, I like my typicals, but most of the stuff that has favorable GBV’s has a more nontypical look,” explained Draper, whose background and professional engineering career centering around science is influencing him to move away from typicals, and later go back to them when genetics are more favorable and able to sustain many generations of CWD resistant deer. “Here in Michigan, we look it at as a long-term goal and can start with the base that we are creating,” he said. “The science side of me is making me want to focus on the breeding markers and leave a good foundation (legacy) for others to benefit from. It’s not about chasing pedigrees but about the markers. Michigan has a good stocker buck market to move us a couple years down the road. Our ultimate goal is to develop our breeding operations to have all great markers and develop the GBV’s that protect against CWD for future sales of those protected deer.”

SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL DEER ASSOCIATION

NORTH DAKOTA DEER FARMERS SET MODEL EXAMPLE FOR EVENT ATTENDANCE

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

Creating a bright future for cervid farming and working together to strengthen the industry starts with deer farmers doing one thing. Attending annual events. On August 13th, 2022, the North Dakota Deer Ranchers Association Annual Picnic and Fundraiser event was only missing two members as they gathered in Linton, North Dakota at Ryckman Whitetails. Literally everyone else on the membership roster was there enjoying the camaraderie, speakers and fundraising activities. Yet, there was also something else very palpable at this event. Optimism about the industry, felt by all in attendance, was very bright.

“EHD may have bad last year but we got through it,” said President Mike Ryckman as he reflected on their event in 2021. “Since then, we’ve had three new farms start up. All of these things help create a good name for North Dakota in the deer industry. If

you support your organization, it gets stronger.”

CWD took the spotlight as a topic of discussion at the event. While CWD in North Dakota was first identified in 2009 in a wild mule deer and in a wild whitetail deer in 2013, as of August 2022 CWD has never been found in farmed cervids, according to North Dakota Board of Animal Health Deputy State Veterinarian Dr. Beth Carlson. Chris Ryckman, who serves with Carlson on the Board of Animal Health as a member and licensed producer who represents nontraditional livestock, presented a board update, explaining that the support for deer farming is strong among government entities such as the Board of Animal Health.

Should a case of CWD ever present itself among farmed cervids “we would manage it according to USDA guidance and take into account the producer’s wishes, with input from the Board of Animal Health,” Dr. Carlson explained when asked about the state’s stance on CWD. “We would work with the producer and explore if they’ve been compliant, and their herd would operate under quarantine for a determined period of time.”

Event attendee and NADeFA Executive Director Shawn Schafer, who also served as a Board of Animal Health board member for close to 15 years, contributed to the CWD discussion. “We really appreciated Shawn explaining things to us in very understandable terms,” Mike Ryckman said. Discussion also centered around applying for funds through the North Dakota Animal Industry Board to aid in future CWD herd testing and regulation compliance.

Complimenting the day were farms tours as well as productive fundraising activities including Guess the Score from a collective set of six antlers. Winner Chris Ryckman was only off by a mere six inches. “Everyone involved in a deer association really enjoys these types of activities and also shares so much in common with each other and shares common interests,” Mike Ryckman said. “This makes it easier to strive toward a common goal and work together.”

As Mike watched the crowd devour elk roast and deer sausage, the wheels were already turning for next year. “We’ll have another interesting agenda and a good turnout I’m certain,” he said. “I hope for the very same thing for all the other deer associations. Let’s keep this thing going.”