UpperMidwest Spring 2023

Tips from Woodard Whitetails

Sponsored by Kala

NORTH DAKOTA DEER FARMERS SHARE

Sponsored by NDDRA

PREPARING YOUR BUCKS FOR THE HUNT

Common Sense advice

Sponsored by WOL

Grant Carrolan

Hidden Hollow Whitetails 12820 Prosperity Road Marion, IL 62959 618-559-5952 gra5566@yahoo.com

Adam Helgeland Trophy Whitetail Deer 23209 470th St. Lake Mills, IA 50450 641-590-3410

adamhelgeland@gmail.com

Scott Fier Buffalo Ridge Whitetails 3788 260th Ave Potter, MN 56280 507-829-3151 fierscott@gmail.com

Mike Ryckman

Ryckman Whitetails PO Box 565 Linton, ND 58552 701-527-2101

ryckman219@gmail.com

2023 Membership Application

(Illinois) ILDFA: _____ Assoc. Member $25 _____ Active Member $50 _____ Lifetime Member $500

(Iowa) IWDA: Assoc. Member $50 Active Member $100 Lifetime Member $500

(Minnesota) MDFA: Assoc. Member $50 Active Member $75

(North Dakota) NDDRA: Assoc. Member $50 _____ Active Member $75

(South Dakota) SDEBA: Assoc. Member $25 Animal Owners $50

Total: ________________ Check: #___________ Credit Card ____

PLEASE NOTE: If you are a resident of any of these states and required to be an active member, please select the correct level above. If you are not sure of your membership status with a state and you sign up, your payment will cover you for the next year. *** These states allow anyone that lives in their state and not raising deer but have interest to supporting the industry to be at the Associate Membership Level. This level is a non-voting level.

Name: Spouse or Partner:

Farm Name/Company:

Membership Address: City: State: Zip:____________County

Main preferred listing phone: Alternate listing phone:

Fax: Email: WebSite:

Check which apply ___:Own Hunting Preserve ___Own Breeding Operation ___Industry Supplier Species Raised: ___ Whitetail Deer ___Elk ___Mule Deer Other Species Raised:

Products I Offer: __ Meat __Velvet Antler __ Industry Supplies __ Feed __ Nutritional Supplements ___Vaccine ___Graphic Design & or Web Design Other Products or Services:

I hereby make application for membership to these associations, agreeing to conform to the Code of Ethics and Bylaws governing the associations.

Signature: Date:

I give permission to have my contact information published in the annual directory and on the website Yes No

Please mail applications to:

ILDFA: Chet Hostettler, 510 S. Pine St, Arthur, IL 61911

IWDA: Tom Stumpf, 2045 270th St, Rockwell City, IA 50579

MDFA: Mark Volk, 9095 160th Ave, Royalton, MN 56373

NDDRA: Lani Schafer, 1223 18th Ave NW, Turtle Lake, ND 58575

SDEBA: Brian James, 30267 464th Ave, Centerville, SD 57014

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IF I KNEW THEN WHAT I KNOW NOW, WHAT I MAY HAVE DONE DIFFERENTLY STARTING MY FARM

By: Gail Veley • Sponsored by NDDRA

Mike Ryckman knows he couldn’t be in a better place than his home state of North Dakota to raise whitetail deer. Drawing in a full breath of fresh morning air in a place nestled interiorly between the Rocky and Appalachian Mountains, he cherishes the start to his day as he works in this peaceful and picturesque setting. However, the trouble is, Ryckman doesn’t have one truly flat spot on his property. His current deer handling facility, located on one of the highest points of his property, has required him to “chase” his deer uphill during every past vaccine, antler trimming or A.I. season. This year, he’s changing all that by moving his facility to one of the lowest points of his property, while staying out of a flood zone.

Before starting his farm, Ryckman Whitetails, in 2014, “I had seen a couple deer farms but not enough in reference to handling facilities,” Ryckman, 40, said. While he focused initially on genetics and designing handy alley ways, looking back he realized he needed more knowledge regarding how deer react to

the actual handling facility itself. “Our first handling facility, the original one, had gaps or holes that were too big, and we had to reconstruct it and seal those gaps up,” he explained. “I should have spent more time understanding how deer respond to certain situations like seeing daylight.”

After revising the original facility to be completely deer safe and foolproof, Ryckman, through working with his deer and studying their behavior, became very keen on one subject. Deer have a very strong flight instinct, and as such, need to feel as though they’ve gotten away from you. Using that pretense, Ryckman installed guillotine (dropping) gates on his property to move deer from one location to another, and also determined that sending deer downhill would be far easier than sending them uphill. “I would say Number One when you start your deer farm, study the lay of your land and consider all the variables before deciding where to put your handling facility,” he emphasized. Ryckman, with the help of his wife Kristy and three children, hopes to have his third (and final) facility moved and ready for deer by July of this year. “There is also a lot of cost savings doing it right the first time,” he added.

Understanding the lay of the land and winter weather patterns better, would have been very useful when Clark Schafer and his younger brother Shawn started their deer farm, Schafer Whitetail Ranch, in 1998 in Turtle Lake. “We would have put a little more thought into the snow part of it and made easier access inside the alleyway leading to the deer barn, so we could clean it out with the toolcat and snow blower,” Clark Schafer said. “Instead of

permanent walls, we might have made gates on hinges to make things easier when it comes to clearing snow out of the way.” Although times were different back then and superior genetics weren’t fully developed, producing quality deer was always at the forefront of their operation.

In addition to breeding quality deer and the desire to more easily clear snow out of the way, Clark Schafer, 56, feels they may have constructed more pens from the very beginning, had they more accurately predicted how quickly deer multiply and that separating them becomes a necessity, to practice efficient animal husbandry by having less deer per acre/pen. Ryckman, as with all conscientious deer farmers, agrees and is grateful for the mentoring and good examples set by farms like Schafer Whitetail Ranch. “At the end of the day, we love our deer and are infatuated with them,” Ryckman said. “We realize our obligation to practice great animal husbandry and to treat them the best we can and whether that’s more adequate space or a properly located handling facility, we are committed to caring for them and raising the best deer we possibly can.”

D K

& Trophy Breeder Bucks Showcase Book

All advertisers that are published in our 2023 state associations magazines will have the opportunity to place a single Buck update photo in this August Showcase Book.

Reservation for space and buck info will be due no later than July 7-12 2023. If you have an existing picture ready to go, that will also be due at this time. If you would like to send in a last minute photo of your buck, the cutoff date is August 14th by 8am CST. Placement will be in order of first come first serve. Printing and mailing will start August 15th and be in hand between August 21-25th. Just in time for semen sales getting ready for Breeding Season. These will be mailed to members of the 15 state associations we service.

(More information will be mailed out to all current advertisers closer to the date)

Cost: $100

1 per Cervid Farmer

(Pre-register and we will contact you for further information)

Name: First Last

Grant Carrolan President

Hidden Hollow Whitetails (618) 559-5952

gra5566@yahoo.com

Rick Davidson

2020-2023

Illinois Dominant Bucks (217) 260-2825

rdavidson@vivecrop.com

Janine Harden

2020-2023

Harden Deer Farm (217) 415-7508 hardendeerfarm@myfam.com

Dr. Clifford Shipley Vice President

Salt Fork River Ranch (217) 493-2958

cshipley@illinois.edu

Rusty Karr 2022-2025

Dominant Genetics (309) 275-9567

rusty_k2000@yahoo.com

Kyle Neal 2020-2023

Neal Farms Whitetails (618) 967-0076

nealfarms38@hotmail.com

Chet Hostettler Treasurer

Illini Whitetails (217) 246-8566 illwchet@gmail.com

Larry Hackethal

2021-2024 PO Box 655 Cobden, IL 62920 (618) 893-2252 pro1ab@frontier.com

Chase Baker

2022-2025

Baker Whitetails (618) 841-9776

bakerwhitetails@outlook.com

Lisa Shepherd Secretary

Hidden Hollow Whitetails (618) 713-3799

lisa_shepard83@yahoo.com

Alison Reynolds 2021-2024

Rusty Gun Deer Farm 1706 W. Main St. Robinson, IL 62454 (217) 871-9657

Alisonmichelleoutdoors@gmail.com

Clint Shipley

2020-2023

Salt Fork River Ranch (217) 621-4855

cshiple2@illinois.edu

NORTH DAKOTA DEER RANCHERS ASSOCIATION

FACEBOOK: NORTH DAKOTA

Directors

Mike Ryckman President

Ryckman Whitetails PO Box 565

Linton, ND 58552

Lani Schafer Secretary/Treasurer

1223 18th Ave NW Turtle Lake, ND 58575

Chris Ryckman

Ryckman Whitetails

6160 Hiway 1804 Bismarck, ND 58504

Butch Dick Board Member

6379 123rd Ave SE Lisbon, ND 58054

Bob Miller

Evolution Whitetails 10801 52nd St NE Bismarck, ND 58503

Micr ochips

• USDA 15 digit ISO

• 9 digit Avid and 10 digit Euro. Avid Reader s

• Avid MiniTracker Livestock Reader specially priced.

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• Dependable Fast, Accurate read EVERY Time!

• U.S.A. made and service.

Mark Hollenbeck

Chairman

Sunrise Ranch

277772 Elbow Canyon Road

Edgemont, SD 57735

605-685-3376

markholl@gwtc.net

Cory Jueneman

Timber Lake Elk Ranch PO Box 141

Mobridge, SD 57601

605-850-4118

cjueneman@outlook.com

SOUTH DAKOTA DEER & ELK BREEDERS ASSOCIATION- BOD’S

Greg Leenderts Vice-Chairman

Whitetail Farms 48474 257th Avenue

Garretson, SD 57030 507-227-6328

gleenderts@alliancecom.net

Brandon Walker

Cedar Breaks Mule Deer Ranch 19145 Robbs Flat Road

Midland, SD 57552 605-567-3563

brandon@cedarbreaksranch.com

Brian James

Secretary/Treasurer

James Whitetails 30267 464th Ave

Centerville, SD 57014 605-660-6280

Jamesfam13@outlook.com

Chris Kassube

CNK Riverside Whitetails 39775 134th Street Bath, SD 57427 605-395-7111

Chriskassube1@gmail.com

Cody Warne

Stone Meadow Ranch 2699 Remington Road Custer, SD 57730 605-222-7407

codybuckwarne@msn.com

EFFECTIVE BOTTLE FEEDING – TIPS FROM WOODARD WHITETAILS

By: Gail Veley • Sponsored by Kala

Dustin Blosser enters the fawning facility at Woodard Whitetails and kneels beside their latest spring arrivals. Blosser, a young West Virginia native, may only be 24, but his experience growing up on a pig, cattle and whitetail deer farm, combined with his maturity, has found him in the role of Farm Manager since September of 2021. Now, nestled inside a calving hutch, curious, eager and hungry fawns come forward, some nibbling at Blosser’s arms, jeans and well-worn leather boots. Sticking his face down to their level, he rubs his hair on their heads to make them realize they are fine. They are safe. Then, with hands outstretched, he carefully gathers one in his arms and offers a bottle, precision filled with milk, and attached to a one-inch goat kid nipple, to what he hopes is a fawn who grows up to live a very healthy life.

While raising a healthy group of fawns requires vaccinations and meticulous care, among other things, it also requires an extensive knowledge on the best and safest way to bottle feed, should your farm practice bottle feeding. After receiving colostrum

from their mother for 24 hours, bottle fed doe fawns are typically pulled and placed on a regimented milking schedule, along with struggling buck fawns and sometimes, a third fawn. While every farm may have it’s preferences on feeding times, Woodard Whitetails suggests bottle feeding at 7 a.m., 11 a.m., 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. for the first seven days. And although fawns will drink as much as you choose to offer, problems can occur if you feed them too much, Blosser explained. “We start out with two to three ounces four times a day during the first week,” he said. “They’ll drink whatever amount you give them and if they have too much, they can bloat or milk can overflow into their rumen, and you can kill them. You want to develop their rumen and they won’t if they aren’t eating and just getting all the milk they can ask for. Another important factor is that from Day One we have water and dirt from their pens inside their hutches to help build their immunities.”

Building a fawn’s immunities along with their desire to eat solid food begins slowly during week two, when the schedule shifts to three times a day at 7 a.m., 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. and more milk is gradually offered to the eventual tune of 12 to 13 ounces per feeding. “By the time week three comes around, we are feeding twice a day at 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. and they are eating more solid food,” Blosser said. “Sometimes they don’t make it all the way through week three because they are getting antsy. We make a practice out of giving them a bottle in whatever will become their permanent pen so that they aren’t losing two things at once while also being put somewhere unfamiliar. If you want to keep them really calm,

it’s better this way.” While most fawns adapt immediately to bottle feeding, occasionally there are fawns that don’t. “Rather than putting stress on them by trying to catch them and force the bottle, I just put them back out with Mom and they do fine,” Blosser said. Regardless of how they were raised from birth, Blosser keeps track of each fawn, taking note of their appetite, stool quality or overall health. Should a fawn have diarrhea, Blosser finds that three cc’s of pumpkin baby food usually straightens it out. “You need to watch being too invasive with antibiotics and overcorrecting things,” he emphasized. “It might just kill all the bacteria in their gut. I like to start at the least invasive point and work my way up and see if it’s working first.”

Fawn survival rate at Woodard Whitetails is usually around 95%, said Owner Henry Woodard. “We may lose 5%. This count includes every fawn whether they were born sick or not. Raising fawns is a labor of love and you are handling them and basically replacing their mother and you become attached. If they are sick and you save them, you felt a bond with them. We wouldn’t have a chance to save them otherwise and bottle feeding can give us the best opportunity to stay on top of things.”

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

ENTERIC HEALTH FORMULA

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

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Feed powder for 14 days to bottle fed fawns

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EXECUTIVE BOARD:

WHITETAIL DEER ASSOCIATION - BOD’S

Adam Helgeland President

Trophy Whitetail Deer

15425 450th St

Leland, IA 50453 641-590-3410

adamhelgeland@gmail.com

Tom Stumpf Treasurer

God’s Country Whitetails 2045 270th St.. Rockwell City, IA 50579 712-830-2358

godscountrywhitetails@hotmail.com

Mike Hine

DIRECTORS:

Fred Huebner Vice President

Circle H Ranch

2575 Iowa Keokuk Rd. North English, IA 52316 319-530-7824

Roger Strunk Secretary

Strunk's Whitetail Haven 508 Franklin 3rd St West Point, IA 52656 319-470-2413

rlstrunk@yahoo.com

Mick Tonderum

Timberghost Ranch PO Box 545 Mediapolis, IA 52639 319-394-9876

mike@timberghost.com

Nate Hippen

Honey Creek Whitetails 100 13th St. Aplington, IA 50604 319-240-8197

Jake Lahr

Hopkinton, IA 52273

GMT Farms Inc. 2008 5th St. Emmetsburg, IA 50536 712-260-7310

gmtfarms74@hotmail. com

Chad Machart

Prairie Antler Ranch

Anamosa, IA 52205

Scott Fier President

Buffalo Ridge Whitetails 3788 260th Ave

Porter, MN 56280 507-829-3151

fierscott@gmail.com

Steve Uchytil Vice President

Crow River Whitetails 14681 175th St NE

Atwater, MN 56209 320-894-1914

crowriverwhitetails@gmail.com

Gary Olson Olson Whitetails 34526 State Hwy 30

Lanesboro, MN 55949 507-269-9791

garypolson2005@yahoo.com

Deb Holthaus

320-360-4667

Deb@Benefits-MN.com

Ken Williams

320-291-3385

kwilliams7777@outlook.com

Mark Volk Treasurer Volk Whitetails 9095 160th Ave Royalton, MN 56373 320-232-3352

volkwhitetails@outlook.com

Steve Porter Secretary Porter Whitetails 1828 350th Ave Lake Bronson, MN 56734 218-526-0180 porterwhitetail@gmail.com

Steve Dougherty Zumbro River Whitetails 57479 375th Ave Zumbro Falls, MN 55991 507-269-7346

steve@zumbroriverwhitetails.com

Scott Salonek 612-850-8684

Scott@healthyelkmeat.com

Membership Notice:

Please update your membership to continue receiving these quarterly magazines.

If you have not renewed your membership for 2023, this will be the last issue you receive. Please go online to MDFA.wildapricot.org to renew or call Mark Volk at (320)232-3352.

(Paid members have access to our members only tab, forum)

We appreciate your support.

BOD mDFA

This was an email sent out to MN members on May 20, 2023 In regards to Legislative Overreach:

To: MDFA Members

Hello everyone, this letter is being written as an update to deer farm legislative issues in Minnesota. We are sending this letter out prior to a letter that will be sent out from our lobbyist Tim Spreck. Tim’s letter will explain in detail all the laws that have passed against us and what will be required of us according to these new laws. Right now, the laws are all just waiting on a signature from Walz.

The MDFA board would like to let you know that we have worked so hard to defend our family farms from industry ending legislation. We have repeatedly met with State Legislators, State Representatives, Governor Tim Walz Policy Advisors, and DNR officials. We have also made phone calls and sent emails to everyone we can think of who may be in any position to help us, including both Republican and Democrat law makers.

We as board members are feeling extreme stress and anxiety and are worried that you are also dealing with the same issues. It is fawning season, and with a signature from Governor Walz, all our farm value will be seriously diminished too little or nothing.

We have questions that are logical and that we need answered, and some of these questions are:

· Do I continue to invest in my farm and make improvements?

· Do I panic and sell off all my animals for pennies on the dollar?

· Do I continue to feed animals, and spend money that I maybe don’t have on animals that are likely to give me little or no return on my investment?

· Do I continue to spend money on TB and Brucellosis testing?

· What exactly do I do now?

We want to let you know that we are seeking answers to these questions. We started communication with a new law firm about a month ago, and just had a zoom meeting this week. We don’t have a lot of details for you currently, and we have not officially retained this law firm. The law firm has reviewed all the detailed information that we have submitted and they have asked for some time to do more research. When we finished our zoom call, all of us board members were feeling a little encouraged. Again, this letter is in part being written to let you know that we are also suffering from the huge stress that is being put upon our family farms, and we want to encourage you not to do anything drastic. Please don’t act out in response to feelings of fear, depression, financial stress, or anger. If you need more questions answered than what is written in this letter, please feel free to contact any of the board members at the phone numbers supplied with this letter.

We are all in this together. Please, stay strong and let this issue move forward a little before making any serious decisions on your family farms. We will update you as soon as we know more.

Sincerely,

President Scott Fier 1-507-829-3151

Vice President Steve Uchytil 1-320-894-1914

Treasurer Mark Volk 1-320-232-3352

Secretary Deb Holtaus 1-320-360-4667

Board Member Gary Olson 1-507-269-9791

Board Member Ken Williams 1-320-291-3385

Board Member Scott Salonek 1-612-850-8684

Board Member Steve Dougherty 1-507-269-7346

Board Member Steve Porter 1-218-526-0180

A big thank you to everyone who participated in the Banquet this year!

IA/MN Annual Banquet photos!

A big thank you to everyone who participated in the Banquet this year!

Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease Overview

Epizootic hemorrhagic disease is a viral disease affecting white tailed deer, mule deer, and America and can cause significant mortality. It is transmitted by biting midges (Culicoides see-ums or punkies. It is not spread directly from deer to deer and humans cannot be infected

Epizootic hemorrhagic disease is a viral disease affecting white tailed deer, mule deer, and reindeer in North America and can cause significant mortality. It is transmitted by biting midges (Culicoides spp.), also called no- see-ums or punkies. It is not spread directly from deer to deer and humans cannot be infected by contact with deer or bites from midges.

EHD outbreaks are most common in the late summer and early fall when the midges are abundant. The cycle stops within two weeks from the onset of frost when the midges and virus are killed.

EHD outbreaks are most common in the late summer and early fall when the midges are stops within two weeks from the onset of frost when the midges and virus are killed.

Learn More At:

Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease Overview

www.medgeneLabs.com/EHD

What kind of vaccine is the Medgene vaccine?

Epizootic hemorrhagic disease is a viral disease affecting white tailed deer, mule deer, and reindeer in North America and can cause significant mortality. It is transmitted by biting midges (Culicoides spp.), also called nosee-ums or punkies. It is not spread directly from deer to deer and humans cannot be infected by contact with deer or bites from midges.

EHD outbreaks are most common in the late summer and early fall when the midges are abundant. The cycle stops within two weeks from the onset of frost when the midges and virus are killed.

Learn More At: www.medgeneLabs.com/EHD

www.medgenelabs.com

Copyright © 2023 VST LLC dba Medgene 1006 32nd Ave., Brookings, South Dakota 57006

How young can I give the vaccine?

Learn More At:

www.medgeneLabs.com/EHD

A. Inactivated (killed) recombinant subunit proteins from EHDV2 and EHDV6 produced in a proprietary Baculovirus expression system. This is a special type of recombinant vaccine that builds immunity by using a non-mammalian virus to transmit subunit proteins. The immune system sees these proteins and learns to neutralize the virus if the animal becomes infected.

A. The vaccine appears to be safe in animals as young as 2 weeks of age. Official safety studies have not been conducted.

Is it safe in pregnant and nursing animals?

A. Yes, it appears to be safe based on field studies. Official safety studies have not been conducted.

www.medgenelabs.com

B. The vaccine is administered intramuscularly with a 2mL, 2-dose regimen. The second dose is given approximately 21 days following the first dose.

Copyright © 2023 VST LLC dba Medgene 1006 32nd Ave., Brookings, South Dakota 57006

C. The vaccine is being distributed as an experimental vaccine, according to USDA regulations. License pending further data collection.

When should I administer the vaccine?

A. Vaccination schedules may vary based on farm and species (white-tailed deer versus reindeer).

B. In general, our recommendation is to vaccinate adults in March/April and begin fawn vaccinations around weaning.

i. Initial series of vaccine should occur at least one month before typical EHD season begins.

ii. An additional booster to adults in the fall may be beneficial in areas with high EHD pressure and areas that can experience EHD at other times of the year (i.e. Florida, Texas, other southern states)

C. We are happy to work with individuals to design a vaccination schedule that best fits their farm.

B. The vaccine should not be administered within 3 weeks of parturition.

Will it need a booster?

A. Yes. Antibody titers wane after 6 months.

When do I have to booster?

A. Approximately 21 days after the initial dose.

B. Annual booster vaccination in the spring appears to work for most farms.

How do I purchase the vaccine?

A. Directly from Medgene.

B. Currently, state veterinarian and USDA permission is required to ship vaccine to each farm. Please allow 1-2 weeks from order to receipt of the vaccine.

How much does the vaccine cost?

A. $120 per 10-dose bottle, plus the cost of overnight shipping to the farm or veterinarian.

Will a veterinarian be required to administer the vaccine?

A. Potentially. Most states allow sale directly to owners. However, some states require the vaccine be shipped directly to a veterinarian.

How effective is the vaccine in preventing EHDV2 and EHDV6?

A. Based on serology testing, animals as young as two weeks of age generate neutralizing antibody titers against both EHDV2 and EHDV6. These antibodies should neutralize the virus if an animal becomes infected.

B. Based on clinical impression from field use, vaccinated animals have remained healthy while unvaccinated animals on the same farm have died from EHDV2 or EHDV6.

C. No efficacy studies have been conducted.

What Side Effects should I expect?

A. The most common side effect is lameness and soreness after vaccination. Animals typically return to normal in 2-5 days.

B. Other side effects may include lethargy, fever, swelling at the injection site, and off-feed.

C. In rare cases, anaphylaxis may occur. Epinephrine should be used to stop the allergic reaction from becoming life-threatening.

How long does it take to be effective?

A. Strong neutralizing antibody titers are typically seen 1-2 weeks following booster vaccination.

Is

it safe for animals previously

vaccinated with another EHD vaccine? Will they need the initial booster series?

A. The vaccine appears to be safe for previously vaccinated animals. Official safety studies have not been conducted.

B. Since it is currently unknown, the previous immunity provided by other vaccines, we recommend starting the full vaccine series. How effective is a single dose of the vaccine? Do I really have to booster 3 weeks later?

A. Studies have shown the little to no antibody titer is generated after a single dose of the vaccine.

B. Yes, booster vaccination is required to generate the proper immune response.

Will the fawns of vaccinated does have any protection from EHDV2 and EHDV6?

A. According to a 2022 study, fawns from fully vaccinated does do obtain high levels of maternal antibodies to EHDV2 and EHDV6.

B. In general, fawns lose maternal antibodies by 3 months of age. Therefore, maternal antibodies are likely gone by August/September (prime EHD season).

When can I stop boostering older animals?

A. Further research is needed to determine at what point, if ever, lifetime immunity is achieved.

If vaccinated animals get sick or die of suspected EHD, what should I do?

A. Please submit spleen samples to a diagnostic lab for confirmatory testing.

i. EHDV and BTV are very similar viruses and can be misdiagnosed without proper testing. The vaccine is only against EHDV2 and EHDV6 and it does not cross-protect against EHDV1 or any BTV strain.

B. Please contact Medgene to report the suspected case.

i. Field data is critical for advancement of the vaccine. If there is an issue, we want to know about it.

ii. We can connect you with a diagnostic lab to ensure appropriate testing is performed.

* Data has been generated in sheep and white-tailed deer. Further studies are needed to determine vaccine response in other species.

North American Deer Talk Texas Deer Association Update

The Texas Deer Association has a long history of advocating for whitetail deer and deer rancher's rights. In this conversation the Executive Director of TDA Kevin Davis gives an update on critical information regarding the work TDA is focusing on right now!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LG5tNT-t9Og

PREPARING YOUR BUCKS FOR THE HUNT –COMMON SENSE ADVICE

By: Gail Veley • Sponsored by WOL

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 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.”

GRILLED VENISON, TOMATO, PEPPER AND CORN STEW

This is a lighter stew best prepared during summer, when corn and tomatoes are in season and at the peak of flavor. Fire up the grill, sear the meat and vegetables, and simmer in a savory stock.

IngredIents

• 2 pounds venison sirloin, top round or “better” cuts

• salt and pepper

• 3 ears fresh sweet corn, shucked

• 3 red bell peppers, quartered and seeded

• 1 large sweet yellow onion, sliced into thick slices

• ¼ cupe olive oil

• 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar

• 4 large tomatoes, halved and seeded

• 1½ quarts chicken broth

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• ½ teaspoon dried oregano leaves

• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley leaves, minced

• ¼ teaspoon salt

• ¼ teaspoon black pepper

InstructIons

1. Place venison between plastic wrap or in a zipper-lock bag, and pound lightly until very thin. Season with salt and pepper, and place in a large bowl. Place corn, peppers and onion in the bowl. Drizzle olive oil and red wine vinegar, and toss to coat all. While tossing, season with additional salt and pepper.

2. Place venison, corn, peppers, onion and tomatoes on a white-hot grill and grill on all sides of each. Remove venison when just cooked, and allow to cool before slicing into 1-inch thick strips.

3. Remove corn kernels from cob, dice peppers, tomatoes and onions, and place in a stock pot. Add chicken broth, garlic and oregano. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, reduce heat to low, and simmer for 10 minutes. Add venison and parsley, and heat for 1 minute. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

FEEDING DIRECTIONS: WHITE-TAILED DEER:

• Fawns up to 1 week of age: Feed 16 oz. of formula daily, divided into 4 – 6 feeding.

• Fawns 1 week to 1 month of age: Feed 24 to 30 oz. of formula daily, divided into 4 feedings.

• Fawns 1 month to 2 months of age: Feed 30 to 35 oz. of formula daily, divided into 2 to 3 feedings.

• Fawns 2 months to weaning: Gradually decrease formula and number of feedings to approximately 15 oz. of formula once daily until fawn is fully weaned at 12 to 14 weeks of age. Provide a weaning diet and fresh clean water to the fawn. For oral use only. These feeding directions are guidelines. As each animal is an individual, the feeding rate may be increased or decreased according to the needs of the neonate.

Feeding directions for other species can be found on our website.

BEACH

CREAM EASE FAN FLIP

Answers to Sudoku and Crossword puzzles will be available in the next issue, or can be found on our website: www.deersites.com

43. Catch

44. A Baldwin

45. Love, in Florence

46. Compass point (abbr.)

47. Actress ____ Hepburn

49. Ascends

51. Ump’s call 52. Not shut 54. Total up 57. Recipe measures (abbr.) 60. Made over 64. Collide

66. Vague

68. Musical speed

69. Feels remorse

70. Summit

71. Curse

72. Recedes

73. Lighting gas

Down

1. Crooned

2. Toast topping

3. Certain star

4. Boil

5. Tailed celestial body

12. Stratford-on-____

13. Rip apart

18. Raise

22. Whipped dessert

25. Deli sausage

27. Bar bills

28. Sirloin, e.g.

29. Australian “bear”

30. Map detail

32. Beauty shop

33. Hi-fi

34. Dressed to the ____

35. Long-legged bird

36. Margins

38. Commences

41. Resound

48. Novelist

49. Coral formation

50. New Delhi native

53. Push down

54. Drama divisions

55. Doodled

56. Noblewoman

58. Unadulterated

59. Deliberate slight

61. ____ in a while

5. Castro’s country

17. At no time hereafter

19. Evil spirit

20. Pointed beard

21. Gentle

23. Conclusion

28. Slalom participant

31. Guarantee

37. 2,000 pounds

38. Bed boards

39. Hawk, e.g. 40. Soothe 42. Yarns

6. Pedro’s “one”

7. Actor ____ Reynolds

8. Not ashore

9. Distress cry (2 wds.)

10. Watch

11. Showed up

62. “Finding ____”

63. Paradise

65. Health resort

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CELEB R ATING OFSE RVICE

SUDOKU

The rules for sudoku are simple.

A 9×9 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 3×3 squares marked out in the grid, and each of these squares can’t have any repeat numbers either.

Coloring Activity!

Send in this picture with your childs name and age for a chance to be featured in the next magazine or on our facebook page!

All ages welcome to participate!

Pictures can be emailed to deerassociations@gmail.com or mailed to

Samantha Uchytil

19291 59th St NE

New London, MN 56273

RACCOON ON DEER FARMS

By Mark Neely

Alot of people see raccoons and immediately say, “oh, look how cute.” Then out come their phones to get a good picture. Next thing you know they are trying to see how close they can get, or even turning their backs to the animal to get a selfie. The really foolish one’s next move is to see if they can pet this cute, friendly animal. Too many people don’t believe wild animals will attack them, and when they do, it’s too late.

Do I think raccoons are cute? I think they’re beautiful animals, as I do most everything in nature, but I also understand what the term wild animal means. Not only are they dangerous, but they also carry diseases that can be transmitted to other animals & humans. Lets take a look at these guys and see why you don’t want them around your deer farms.

Raccoons are mesopredators, meaning they are mid-level, not Apex predators. Raccoons will prey on most anything they can catch, but larger predators will prey on them. Raccoons eat animals, reptiles, insects, plants etc... Birds & eggs are

among their favorites. They will spend hours around and inside your trough feeders, and growl, hiss, harass and even attack other animals that come in to feed. They are not aggressive because they are gangsters; they’ll just do whatever they have to in order to survive. Raccoons also carry diseases that can make your animals sick.

As mentioned earlier, these guys will spend a lot of time in any of your feeders that they can climb in to. As they sit there and eat, there mouths will get frothy and it will dribble out into your deer feed. I’ve heard this referred to as spit balls and you can sometimes see it in the feed. When your deer unknowingly eat these, it could easily make them ill. Not to mention that these same “oh so cute” raccoons will urinate & defecate in your feeders also. This will contaminate your deer feed and won’t be good for your animals either.

Now keeping raccoons out of your pens is going to be close to impossible. They can dig under easily, squeeze through your fence or climb over with very little effort. Burying a layer of rock or fence along the outside of your pen could stop the digging. Running a

squeezing through or climbing, but how will this affect your deer. Not only could these pest be a problem, they could be a costly one. What can we do you may ask? Well let’s look at a couple of options.

Shooting on site is an option, but you’ll want to use a small caliber (.22) or even

one of the modern 1200 fps pellet rifles. Keep one close by and maybe even carry one in your cart or UTV. Always take an extra second to look around behind your target for safety.

Trapping in my opinion is a better choice. Traps for raccoons are easy to use and once set, you just leave them in place. Most states have laws as to how often your traps must be checked; I know that Florida requires a visual check every 24 hours. The two easiest traps for raccoons are cage traps and dog proof (DP) traps. Cages are just what they seem; a cage with a trap door that closes when the animal triggers it. Dog proof traps are specialized for raccoons to exploit their ability to close their front paws and grab things.

DP traps are basically a pipe with a trigger in the bottom that when the coon eats all the bait down to the trigger, he’ll grab and pull up ultimately tripping the trap and being caught on

his front leg. Some DP traps are built with a push/pull trigger that can be triggered by pushing down also. These traps are not so specialized and will catch any animal that can put his paw into the small diameter pipe and apply downward pressure while trying to get the bait out. I prefer and use the pull only trigger traps because I am usually specifically after raccoons. DP traps are also known by a couple of other names such as, Coon Cuffs & Coon Daggers.

I would use both of these traps (Cage and DP) outside of your pens, maybe inside any walk-ways around your pens. Look for places where the raccoons are entering your pens or use the trails where they are coming back and forth to your pens as good set locations. If you feel the need to set inside your pens, I would only use the cages. If a raccoon is caught in a DP trap by one leg, he can still attack your animals with his teeth.

Tip for Floridians: It is legal to use a cage trap anywhere by anyone, but a DP trap needs a free FWC Steel Trap Permit for use.

Cage traps are easily set, baited in the back and then put into place. Dog Proof traps can be used basically anywhere a cage can be set. I start off by setting my trap, then pouring in the bait (I use dry cat food) ensuring some goes below the trigger and pushing the stake into the ground. Never ever for any reason should you stick your finger into a DP trap. Lastly, be sure you tie off your DP trap because the coon can easily walk off with it on his paw.

One last thought about Raccoons on Deer Farms. When you catch a raccoon, no matter which trap he is in, make sure he is fully dispatched before removing them from the trap.

If you would like your farm or business featured on our business card pages, email digital pdf file or scanned image (must be readable resolution) of your business card to the email address below.

This gives Upper Midwest 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.

ILDFA: Lisa_shepard83@yahoo.com

IWDA: adamhelgeland@gmail.com

MDFA: fierscott@gmail.com

NDDRA: ryckman219@gmail.com

SDDEBA: jamesfam13@outlook.com

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

Meet the Team

Meet Our Customer Care Representative ~ Samantha (Sam) Uchytil

By: Gail Veley

entrenched in the industry, is anxious to help deer farmers reinvest in their business through advertising in state deer association magazines. Her journey began years ago when as a young girl, she held a bottle for her first personal deer, Mocha (a.k.a. Purple #3). In that moment, Sam, the daughter of Steve and Melissa Uchytil of Crow River Whitetails in Atwater, Minnesota, knew where her heart was leading her. Now, at age 29, Sam has recently stepped in to join the D & K Design Team as a Customer Care Specialist and bring even more breath and vitality to each quarterly deer association magazine.

“I’ve worked the registration desk at Minnesota deer association events for about 10 years and because of that, made a lot of friends,” Sam shared. “I love working with deer and the opportunity to be an active industry member in this new role.” Choosing Sam for the position came easily for D & K Design Magazine Editor Kathy Geisen, who felt that Sam’s ability to connect and relate to those in the industry made her a perfect fit.

very personable,” Geisen said. “Whether you have been in the industry for a long time or are a newcomer, Sam can relate to your goals and needs.”

While the goal of advertising is to showcase your products and services, it’s also to maintain a consistent presence to those seeking what you have to offer. “I’m excited and feel very fortunate to make this my full-time endeavor,” Sam said. Thus far her favorite ads are those featuring bucks, followed by ads pertaining to antler replication, food plots and nutrition.

When she isn’t working with clients, she enjoys long-distance competitive running, gardening, maintaining an orchard at her cozy 500-square foot home in New London, Minnesota and spending time with her three dogs. They include her chihuahua “Lucky,” a heeler mix named “Ringo” as well as a husky/ shepherd mix named “Finn.” Sam also enjoys spending considerable time at Crow River Whitetails, hanging out with hunters and seeing the results of their hunts. While she

small game such as rabbits and squirrels. As she sets her sights on her next hunting adventure, she also is setting her schedule to attend future industry events and expanding her circle of friends and clients whether they be from Florida, Texas, Michigan, New York and everywhere else in between.

“This is a dream come true for me,” Sam said. She can be reached by calling or texting her at 320-905-2622 or emailing her at samuchytil@gmail.com. “I’m looking forward to working with all of you.”

“Mocha”