TriState Winter 2024 FULL BOOK

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FLORIDA DEER FARMERS FIND CHALLENGES WITH STRONGER AND MORE FREQUENT WEATHER

Sponsored by SETDA

OKLAHOMA FIRST STATE TO RELEASE FARMED DEER TO COMBAT CWD IN WILD HERDS

Sponsored by WOO

SECONDARY DEER BASED BUSINESSES

Providing Income Opportunities

Outside of Deer Farming

Sponsored by MDFA

An Association of Elk and Deer Owners Comitted to the Development of their Herds and the Cervid Industy in the State.

EXECUTIVE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Karla Kretschmer President

AB Whitetails 2052 Nation Rd Chetopa, KS 67336 620-920-0578

karlakretschmer@outlook.com

Kevin Constant Secretary / Treasurer

K&D Wildlife 4193 Clark rd. Meriden, KS 66512

785-224-8889

kanddwildlife@gmail.com

Joe Bisogno, Jr. Vice President

Timber Hills Lake Ranch 1369 Valley Road Mapleton, Kansas 66754 913-515-1507

joebisogno@yahoo.com

Jake Lamb Director-At-Large

Sand Creek Whitetail 10865 School Creek Rd Saint George, Kansas 66535 785-458-9100

sandcreekwhitetail@gmail.com

MISSOURI DEER ASSOCIATION

EXECUTIVE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Amy Nold (‘26)

President Nold Farms LLC 51 SW 1501 RD Urich, MO Henry 64788 660-492-0215 noldfarmsllc@yahoo.com

Nick Forsythe (‘27)

Secretary / Treasurer

Corner Stone Whitetails 25710 Hwy C Bland MO 65014 573-418-8350 cornerstonewhitetails@gmail.com

DIRECTORS

Matt Kirchner (‘25)

Missouri Whitetails 29158 Hwy. C Alexandria, MO 63430 660-341-0554 mkirchner32@gmail.com

Sean Combs (‘24)

Tall Tine Whitetail Ranch 697 Blackjack Trail Mountain Home, AR 72653 870-450-2736 sean@mallardresort.com

Donald Hill (‘24) Oak Creek Whitetail Ranch 178 Oak Creek Ln Bland, MO 65014 573-943-6644 donald@oakcreekwhitetailranch.com

Bradley Lueckenhoff (‘26) Vice President Little Flat Creek 200 Washington St Suite 4 Purdy, MO 65734 417-342-2516 bradjlueck@gmail.com

Bradley Puff (‘26)

High Adventure Ranch 308 Mikel Ave St. Louis, MO 63043 314-578-4590 bpuff@highadventureranch.com

Jeni Haddock (‘25)

Walleye Whitetails 7751 Walleye Rd Pierce City, MO usa 65723 417-316-1059 jeni.haddock@gmail.com

Nathan Blosser (‘27)

Blosser Whitetails 4515 South 250th Rd Buffalo, MO 65622 417-327-4670 417-327-9590

EXECUTIVE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Chris Ezell

President

Dangerous Whitetails of Oklahoma 7134 W. 420 Rd Chelsea, OK 74016 918-697-5389 chrisezell@rocketmail.com

Larry Armstrong

Treasurer

Armstrong Whitetails 689 Whitetail Ridge Skiatook, OK 74070 918-639-6951 critter6634@gmail.com.

Tim Condict

Flying Eagles Ranch 23455 FR A51 Hodgen, OK 74939 214-549-9963 timcondict@gmail.com

DIRECTORS

Meagan E. Lewis

Secretary

Antlers Trophy Whitetails 1899 E CR 1980 ANTLERS, OK 74523 979-864-7732

mjlewis2020@icloud.com

Mike Charlton

Riverbend Trophy Whitetails 3616 Boston Pool Rd. Hominy, OK 74035 Mkbs5484@icloud.com 918-430-5484

Tommy Gleason

Deer Creek Whitetails

571 Lone Oak Rd W Hartshorne, OK 74547 918-424-5293 tomgleason6@yahoo.com

Shawn Horton

Secretary 368145 E 980 Rd Boley, Ok 74829 214-842-9462 shorton1965@yahoo.com

Barry Reed 836 E 480 Pryor, OK 74361 918-798-1887 barryreed7@aol.com

Joe Smith 14421 Buggy I Jones, OK 73049 405-696-3880

Dash Away Reindeer!

Dash Away…

to Towanda, Kansas if you are looking for the full Christmastime experience; which includes LIVE reindeer.YES! Reindeer in Kansas. Fulton Valley Farms has taken a unique approach with livestock on their farm. They are thinking outside the box.

Fulton Valley Farms is a legacy farm that has been continuously owned and operated by members of the original Fulton family since 1869. David and Betty Corbin (the fifth generation) along with their son Richard are the current owners. They have a strong commitment to the land, with a strong passion for nature; truly delighting in the trees, animals and crops that adorn their land. This love of their property is what inspired them to open their gates and share it with the public.

A Country Christmas seems like it should be a simple event, however, the Corbins have created a grand experience that has become a tradition for many families. It all started with a desire to share the real meaning of Christmas. Mrs. Cobrin shared that “There really is a reason for the season and it’s a birthday party (for Jesus)! And it’s fun, but we have to know why we are having this party.” The first thing she set up was their living nativity vignette complete with music that happens every night leading up to Christmas. Mrs. Corbin asked herself “How do we get everyone to come and learn about the reason for the season?” And everything else just seemed to fall into place, including the idea to bring reindeer to the farm.

Fulton Valley Farms Dash Away Reindeer have had reindeer for over a decade and currently have 3 adults (Itsy Bitsy, Sparkle and Jelly Bean ) and 1 calf (Snickerdoodle). These reindeer help to bring the Christmas experience alive; literally. During the holiday season Fulton Valley Farms is known as the place to be. They have over 1,000,000 lights strung all over the property including along the wooden paths. They plan even more lights this year than ever before. The entire experience includes sleigh rides and photo opportunities, visiting Santa in the Santa Station, shopping at the Jingle Bell Emporium and meeting

the reindeer. They also have a traveling reindeer team (Itsy Bitsy and Sparkle) that can be rented during the holiday season. They typically do not travel any further than 3-5 hours away due to the travel stress on the deer. Their deer have even starred in a Hallmark movie and are known as local celebrities. During the “off” season, Fulton Valley farms use their venue space for other events such as weddings and conferences.

It isn’t always glitz and holiday glamour on the farm, there is also plenty of paperwork to wade through having reindeer, or any deer. They are members of the Reindeer Owners and Breeders Association and they have to adhere to all the state and federal regulations just like any other cervid farm. Transporting the reindeer across state lines involves a lot of planning and paperwork as well. There are even several states that restrict the travel of reindeer across their state lines. This makes planning for the traveling team a little more difficult as the utmost care needs to be taken when transporting the reindeer. They prioritize stopping and travel breaks so the deer can stretch their legs and drink some water. As a tundra animal, the heat can cause some concern for the reindeer. Mrs. Corbin shared that reindeer are more delicate than she realized they would be especially in the Kansas climate.

When a new reindeer arrives on the farm, they have to give her time to adapt.

Fulton Valley Farms loves to highlight reindeer facts, stories and anecdotes about their reindeer and what better time to do that than at Christmas time. Reindeer are special in the fact that both male and females grow antlers each year. However, they shed their antlers at different times of the year. Males drop theirs in November and females will shed their antlers in the spring, when their calves are born. It is usually the females that pull santa’s sleigh as they are the ones that have antlers at christmas time. Most people are unaware that reindeer make a clicking sound when they walk, and not just when they are up on a rooftop. They have a tendon in their feet that snap over bones making a clicking sound. This

helps reindeer in the wild communicate with each other during snowstorms or fog. Finally, can reindeer fly? It is an age-old question. While the Corbins have never witnessed a reindeer flying, they do know that reindeer can reach up to 50 mph on foot so it may seem like they are flying. There is usually some wisdom and truth in our holiday stories, you just have to see through the magic to get to the fact.

Mrs. Corbin shared that it is not uncommon for visitors to say that “Reindeer aren’t real!” to which she always replies “Oh Yes they are. Let me show them to you.” As fellow deer farmers, we understand the shock and awe of owning a special herd of cervids.

The magic of meeting reindeer face to face is pretty special, especially for young children. The memories made at Fulton Valley Farms Dash Away Reindeer will stick around for a lifetime. Check out https://fultonvalleyfarms. com/ to schedule a time to meet the reindeer in person.

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:

Meagan Lewis for Oklahoma members: mjlewis2020@icloud.com Karla Kretschmer for Kansas and Missouri members: karlakretschmer@outlook.com

This gives Tri-State members a way to reach out to one another for services and to buy or sell deer! There will be limited pages for these cards, the overflow would be placed in the next issue and cards will be rotated each quarter.

If you have any questions please contact Kathy Giesen: 435-817-0150

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.

KEDA Summer Picnic

KEDA Summer Picnic

Breeder Buck 2024 Showcase Magazine is

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!

... if you would like to participate in our 2025 magazine, give us a call for

FLORIDA DEER FARMERS

FIND CHALLENGES WITH STRONGER AND MORE FREQUENT WEATHER

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. “

Alabama Deer Association

Illinois Deer Farmers

Indiana Deer And Elk Farmers Association

Iowa Whitetail Deer Association

Kansas Elk and Deer Association

Kentucky Alternative Livestock Association

Minnesota Deer Farmers Association

Missouri Deer Association

New York Deer and Elk Farmers Association

North Dakota Deer Ranchers

Pennsylvania Deer Farmers Association

South Dakota Deer & Elk Breeders

Southeast Trophy Deer Association

United Deer Farmers of Michigan

West Virginia Deer Farmers Association

Whitetail Deer Farmers of Ohio

Whitetails of Louisiana

Whitetails of Oklahoma

EHD, Ect.

Magazine Deadlines / Event Calendar

Whitetail Deer Farmers of Ohio Winter Deadline & West Virginia Deer Farmers Association / New York Deer & Elk Farmers Association Winter Deadline

Whitetails of Louisiana Winter Deadline

Tri-State Associations Winter Deadline

Kentucky Alternative Livestock Association Winter Deadline

Alabama Deer Association Winter Deadline

Upper Midwest Winter Deadline Quest for Michigan’s Best Winter Deadline

SETDA Spring Deadline

IDEFA Journal Spring Deadline

Pennsylvania Deer Farmers Association Spring Deadline

of Louisiana Spring Deadline

KEDA Summer Picnic

OKLAHOMA FIRST STATE TO RELEASE FARMED DEER TO COMBAT CWD IN WILD HERDS

During the last legislative session in Oklahoma, Representative Nick Archer introduced House Bill 3462 called The Chronic Wasting Disease Genetic Improvement Act, and Senator Grant Green carried the legislation in the Senate. HB3462 is designed to address the urgent threat posed by Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) to our Oklahoma native deer population. With leveraging groundbreaking research, including that of Dr. Chris Seabury, this legislation proposes a scientifically informed, innovative approach to enhance the genetic resilience of our native deer against CWD.

HB3462 also represents a proactive, comprehensive strategy to mitigate the impact of CWD, by establishing a pilot program focused on genetic improvement and resistance breeding within our states whitetail population. This pilot program is based on many years of genetic research targeting the SS allele at codon 96, which is associated with reducing the susceptibility to CWD. It is widely known that combining Dr. Seabury’s genomic estimated breeding values (GEBV’s) with the SS allele, builds the most durable and CWD resistant deer possible.

This research underpins the bill’s strategy of utilizing CWD genetically durable deer to bolster the durability of Oklahoma’s native deer population against CWD. The Legislature required the rules to be prepared by November 1st of 2024, through the Oklahoma Department ofAgriculture working together with the Oklahoma deer industry and the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife. The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife was also required to gather 1,000 whitetail deer DNA tissue samples

from across the different deer zones throughout Oklahoma to establish a baseline. This type of bill needs to be passed across the country.

The only reason any agency or association might oppose this type of legislation is because they know it will work. I believe they fear our research efforts will lead to the end of their CWD slush fund and expose state wildlife agencies across the country for culling valuable multimillion dollar farmed deer herds, destroying the farmers income and dreams. I think it’s past time to get started on working to pass this in your own state by attending the Leadership Meeting on Saturday afternoon February 8th, 2025, at the Whitetails of Oklahoma Convention and Southern Top 30 Auction.

The following is an outline of how our program works: 35:15-44-22. Chronic Wasting Disease Genetic Improvement Program (CWDGIP)

(a) The CWDGIP is only available to whitetailed deer producers who are Oklahoma Farmed Cervidae licensees.

(b) Producers choosing to participate in the CWDGIP shall register with the Animal Industry Services Division (AIS) of Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry (ODAFF or The Department) and remit a fee of $100 per year, payable no later than January 1.

(1) A late fee of $100 will be assessed for payment after February 1.

(c) An inventory of all participating deer shall be submitted to AIS at the time of registration.

(1) Participating deer shall be identified with an official USDA ear tag.

(2) Genetic testing information for the individual deer shall be submitted at the time of registration.

(3) Details of the alleles at Codon 96 and the Genetically Estimated Breeding Value (GEBV) of offspring of participating does shall be submitted to AIS upon receipt of the testing results.

(d) Beginning February 1, 2026 and ending April 15, 2026, white-tailed deer does of any age and bucks that are less than 24 months of age, born and raised in Oklahoma by registered CWDGIP producers may be released onto private land pursuant to the landowner meeting the requirements of Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation regulations as outlined in Section 1.

(1) White-tailed deer shall be released only if:

(A) Their genetic testing proves they have the SS allele at Codon 96.

(B) Their GEBV is at or below -0.0560.

(C) They are identified with one (1) orange bangle ear tag in each ear that is at least 2” X 1 5/8” in size and the previously applied USDA official ear tag shall remain in place.

(2) The White-tailed deer that meet the genetic traits in (1) of this section may be released during the same time frame in subsequent years.

LIGHTER WEIGHT. MORE EFFECTIVE. MINIMAL TRAUMA.

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

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Pneu-Dart. When you can’t afford to miss.®

SECONDARY DEER-BASED BUSINESSES

PROVIDING INCOME OPPORTUNITIES OUTSIDE OF DEER FARMING

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.”

Science that delivers the health & productivity you require

G FORC E™

SCIENTIFICALLY FORMULATED NATURAL SUPPLEMENT TO HELP GROW LARGE, HEALTHY DEER AND BIG ANTLERS!

Nutrient rich formula contains highly bioavailable ingredients, including our proprietary calcium/phosphorous complex with Antler D TM, that are required to support body and bone growth, especially for fast growing bucks

Contains probiotics and targeted enzymes to support gut health and proper digestion

Available in pellet or powder that can be top dressed or mixed in feed. Great for antler growing season and young bucks, too

PeaceMaker

PRECISELY FORMULATED TO HELP MAINTAIN A NORMAL AND RELAXED DISPOSITION IN ALL CERVIDS

Provides optimal levels of magnesium, Vitamin B1 and inositol to promote calmness and provide help for restless animals

Contains no herbals, tryptophan or chemicals, eliminating concerns of unwanted side effects

Use PeaceMaker to “keep the peace” during pre-rut, rut, transportation, weaning and anytime destructive behavior may occur

ENTERIC HEALTH FORMULA

POWERFUL SOLUTION FOR HEALTH & PRODUCTIVITY

Helps maintain digestive health and productivity

Contains micro-encapsulated probiotics, targeted enzymes and a novel fiber complex

Use in does before fawning, during lactation and all cervids during times of environmental stress

FAWN ARRIVAL™ POWDER & PASTE

HELPS PRODUCE HEALTHY, FAST GROWING FAWNS

Helps maintain normal digestive health

Supports a healthy immune system

Feed powder for 14 days to bottle fed fawns

Paste is ideal for fawns left on does

FAWN & DEER XTR™

ROBUST FAST RESPONSE FOR FAWNS & OLDER DEER

Innovative formula delivers max digestive support, especially in newborns

Rapidly delivers help for GI health and a functioning immune system

May also be used post-tranquilization to support healthy recovery

Word Search

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.

Frost

Winter

Season

Evergreen

Frigid

Gourd

Pumpkin

Cornucopia

Autumn

Harvest Nutmeg

Chestnuts

Cider

Caramel

Equinox

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.

Send us your recipes! We want to hear your favorites! (Recipes don’t need to include venison - cookies, salads, breads, ect, are all welcome!) Send recipes to: deerassociations@gmail.com

THE ART OF BOW HUNTING

GUIDANCE FROM PROFESSIONAL BOW HUNTER AND T.V. HOST TOM NELSON

Tom Nelson sits quietly during the predawn of a crisp morning inside a deer blind, nestled deep among a meadow of mature trees and dense vegetation. He’s studied this copious area in his native Michigan, where he’s certain his next harvest will be found. His keen senses tell him a deer is coming, and he silently lifts his bow. Confident in his ability to take an ethical shot and efficiently utilize his effective range, he zeroes in on the broad side (where the heart and lungs are located) of a buck that’s just come into view. Knowing this shot for him cannot be a “maybe” but must be certain, Nelson, 67, knows exactly when to draw back the arrow and release. He does so with the precision that 50-plus years of experience has given him and is shortly thereafter standing over his patiently sought-out treasure.

“Bow hunting for me is my way of speaking to the woods with a stick and a string,” explained Nelson, a professional bow hunter and host of the television show “The American Archer.” To be an effective bow hunter “you must be woods-wise and deer savvy,” he said. “Unlike a gun that can do massive damage to an animal, an arrow doesn’t do that. An arrow essentially slides in and takes a little bit of time to take effect and then (hopefully) causes a quick and humane kill. That should be the objective of a bow hunter. You don’t want to be hitting them in the leg or in their back end.”

Nelson, who has hunted all over the world and harvested a wide variety of animals from mountain lion, moose, elk, turkey, mule deer and whitetail, has done so exclusively

with a bow. “I don’t know how many hunts I’ve been on where things might not have looked promising and the guide is telling me ‘Take my gun Tom, take my gun,’” he reflected. “But I will not be a ‘turncoat’ at that point. It won’t mean anything to me if that’s how it ends.”

Nelson, who has primarily made his entire living off of the sport of archery, still feels his very first harvest is and always will be his favorite. At the age of 14 he bought his first bow, a now vintage red wing hunter bow (with a 45-pound pull weight) and 12 fiberglass arrows at the now defunct Anderson Archery Store, where every conceivable bow hunting device could be found. “I lived three miles from the store,” Nelson said. “After I saved up enough money, I was able to buy my first bow. I thought I was all set. But I spent many fruitless years with nothing to show for it.” It was then over Christmas break during his sophomore year of high school, that he took triumphant aim and got his first deer.

Today, Nelson relives that very moment with the youth (both male and female) that he mentors and takes out bow hunting. “I show them the right way, how to figure out the whitetail puzzle,” Nelson explained. “Your learning curve is shorter if you learn the right way. I show them where to sit and why. I explain deer scat. I point out the small details such as why the deer will be coming a particular way to feed. They learn how to effectively operate a bow, when to draw back and release and to develop their personal effective range for taking a successful ethical shot. I teach them to aim exclusively at the chest cavity. Above all I teach patience and the love and reverence of being in the outdoors.”

“Bow hunting may be the more challenging and the harder way to hunt, but to me that is what makes it so rewarding,” Nelson said. “It’s also something my wife Beth and daughter Sara and I enjoy doing together. Like other bow hunters, we share a common bond as a family and a love of nature.”

Kansas Elk & Deer Association

July 1, 2023 - June 30, 2024

Registration/Renewal form

Name:___________________________________________________________________

Ranch/ Farm Name:___________________________________________________________

Address: _________________________

City/State/Zip_________________________________________________________________ Phone:_______________________________________________________________________

Email:____________________________________________

How many elk do you own?___________________________________________________

How many deer and what species?___________________________________

How many acres of high fence?______ Do you AI your elk or deer?________

Do you own a hunting preserve?______ If yes, how many animals harvested a year?_______

Do you sell elk and/or deer products at local farmers markets?________

Do you harvest velvet antler? ________

Are you enrolled in the voluntary CWD Monitoring Program?________

Circle membership type:

Voting member: $50 annually, full voting rights, must own elk or deer in Kansas

Associate member: $25 annually, nonvoting (not open to elk or deer owners in Kansas)

Dues payable to: Kansas Elk & Deer Association 825 S. Kansas Ave; Suite 500 Topeka, KS 66612

ADVERTISERS INDEX -

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!

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