UpperMidwest Winter 2022-2023

STATE PRESIDENTS:

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

Mark Hollenbeck

Sunrise Ranch 277772 Elbow Canyon Road Edgemont,

NORTH DAKOTA DEER RANCHERS ASSOCIATION

FACEBOOK: NORTH DAKOTA DEER RANCHERS

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

GETTING THE MOST FROM YOUR SEMEN STRAWS

By: Gail Veley • Sponsored by MDFA

Scott Fier drives down the long scenic road from the center of town to his 30-acre deer farm of 21 years, Buffalo Ridge Whitetails in Porter, Minnesota. Trees are beginning to turn from green, to gold and crimson as the season of fall settles on the horizon, accompanied by shorter days and cooler temperatures. T-shirts are replaced by sweaters and jackets. Fawns are well on their way to being weaned. And it seems just about the time they are, preparation for breeding season begins. While careful management strategies dictate that some deer farmers opt for live cover certain years, other farms rely exclusively on semen straws to diversify their genetics, breed for CWD resistance, acquire more buck or doe fawns or perhaps incorporate more powerful doe lines. Depending on herd size, your budget or the amount invested in a semen straw (which can range in price anywhere from $100 to $10,000 per straw) deer farmers have three options for breeding their prized does. These options include vaginal insemination, laparoscopic artificial insemination (LAP A.I.) or embryo transfer.

While vaginal insemination may cost less up front and not require as much preparation, an entire semen straw, delivered via an insemination gun, must be administered per doe. While this does not necessarily require a vet to be present, comparatively, using LAP A.I., two to three does can be bred per semen straw. However, A.I. procedures require a veterinarian to perform the procedure which is akin to surgery. Whichever method you use “you’re going to have some expense either way,” said Fier. However, the ultimate decision as to which method to use may come down to how much

each semen straw costs. The higher the cost, the more likely you will be to use LAP A.I. and increase the number of fawns with those high-end genetics, Fier, 43, explained. Preparing for these procedures requires the farmer or paid professional to handle each straw with great care. While semen straws can be stored indefinitely in storage tanks, the liquid nitrogen inside each tank (responsible for keeping the temperature -300 below zero) must be refilled quarterly and acquired through your local semen storage facility, where semen can also be stored and maintained. Once out of the tank, straws must be placed in 96degree water in a thermos to thaw for approximately two minutes. “Always try to use the thawed semen as quickly as possible,” Fier said. “It can remain viable as long as the straw is used within 20 to 30 minutes.”

Does receiving vaginal insemination are generally run through a chute where they may or may not be sedated. Does receiving LAP A.I. are always sedated, tilted on their backs and shaved around their teats and bellies. Upon sanitizing those areas,

a veterinarian makes a tiny slit near the udder and using a microscope and tiny needle, injects semen into each uterine horn. While the success rate of vaginal insemination and LAP A.I. is very good, farmers typically use a “back-up” buck around the 18th day after insemination, to ensure the highest chances of doe pregnancy. DNA tests can prove whether fawns are the prodigy of the semen straw or the back-up buck, once they are born. However, an earlier delivery date points to vaginal insemination, LAP A.I. or embryo transfer. In addition to selecting a procedure that fits your needs and budget, deer farmers can also choose between conventional semen straws with 75mm per .5cc straw or approximately 50 million sperm cells or sexed semen straws with .25mm per straw or approximately 9 million sperm cells. However, given the amount of does a deer farmer may want to breed, bigger farms may feel that LAP A.I. is usually the best choice given a semen straw will go farther, Fier said. The question is “do you want to breed 10 does or 50?”

Scott Fier President

Buffalo Ridge Whitetails 3788 260th Ave

Porter, MN 56280 507-829-3151

fierscott@gmail.com

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

volkwhitetails@outlook.com

Steve Uchytil Vice President

Crow River Whitetails 14681 175th St NE

Atwater, MN 56209 320-894-1914

crowriverwhitetails@gmail.com

Scott Salonek 612-850-8684 Scott@healthyelkmeat.com

Deb Holthaus 320-360-4667 Deb@Benefits-MN.com

Gary Olson Olson Whitetails

34526 State Hwy 30 Lanesboro, MN 55949

507-269-9791

garypolson2005@yahoo.com

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

steve@zumbroriverwhitetails.com

Ken Williams 320-291-3385 kwilliams7777@outlook.com

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

Rack PlusTM for Outstanding results

O ut st a nding perfo rmance is the hallma rk o f A D M ’s Dee r and E lk

Feeding P rog ram .

The Rack Plus program incorporates the latest technical advances in cervid nutrition with AD M’s time and field-proven formulation and feed technology techniques to deliver the right balance of protein, energy, vit amins, and minerals that enable deer and elk to reach their full genetic potential.

Deer & Elk 18 - 4 (816 86A A A) and Deer & Elk 18 - 5 Breeder (816 92A A A)

• Complete, pelleted feeds formulated specifically for deer and elk

• Provide multiple protein sources, stabilized rice bran, highly digestible energy and fiber sources, CitriStim®, and direct fed microbial

• Both products provide 18% protein and no more than 14% fiber; 18-4 provides 4% fat and 18-5 provides 5% fat

• 18-5 Breeder: Formulated specifically for the breeding herd; also provides natural-source vitamin E, B-complex vitamins, selenium yeast, and Antler D™*

CitiStim®, an ADM proprietary feed ingredient, is a proven, truly unique, whole-cell, inactivated yeast product that may help the animal strengthen its defense against health challenges by supporting and optimizing gut function, gut integrity, and body defense responses.

*Antler D is a trademark of Head Gear LLC.

Proven Performance

for Bigger Bucks and Antlers

For more info, contact Troy Bjorge at 320-412-9957

AN_DeerHelp@adm.com

www.ADMAnimalNutrition.com/wildlife

Iowa / Minnesota Banquet & Fund Raiser DONATION FORM

Name:

Farm Name:

Address / City / State / Zip:

Phone: E-mail:

DESCRIPTION OF DONATED ITEMS:

___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________

Special Instructions: ___________________________________________________________

We would like to thank you for your support in helping to make this years Fund Raiser a success!

If you have any questions, please contact: Scott Fier: 507-829-3151 l Adam Helgeland: 641-590-3410

Deadline to be in the Auction Catalog: February, 27, 2023

SEMEN OR ANIMALS:

NADR #: (if breeders) AI Sire NADR#: (for bred does)

Sire NADR #: Dam NADR#:

Score: Age:

Please include: Picture / Picture Label, and Pedigree

Comments:

DIRECTORS:

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

IOWA WHITETAIL DEER ASSOCIATION - BOD’S

WWW.IAWHITETAILDEERASSOCIATION.COM

EXECUTIVE BOARD: DIRECTORS:

Adam Helgeland President Trophy Whitetail Deer 23209 470th St. Lake Mills, IA 50450 641-590-3410 adamhelgeland@gmail.com

Fred Huebner Vice President Circle H Ranch 2575 Iowa Keokuk Rd. North English, IA 52316 319-530-7824

Tom Stumpf Treasurer

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

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

rlstrunk@yahoo.com

Mike Hine

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

mike@timberghost.com

Mick Tonderum

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

gmtfarms74@hotmail.com

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

Chad Machart Prairie Antler Ranch Anamosa, IA 52205

Jake Lahr Hopkinton, IA 52273

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

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

HOW TO SPOT AND TREAT PNEUMONIA IN WHITETAIL DEER

By: Gail Veley • Sponsored by PDFA

In terms of saving whitetail deer from succumbing to upper respiratory diseases such as pneumonia “the most valuable animal on your property is the one that just died,” explains Josh Newton, COO of Cervid Solutions and Operations Manager of Red Ridge Whitetails in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. “Because this deceased deer can provide insight as to what caused their death and give you greater abilities to treat others with an appropriate antibiotic regiment.”

Being that pneumonia can manifest itself virally, bacterially, chemically or as a result of an injury, some antibiotics may work better than others for effective treatment. And pneumonia, aside from the type caused by an injury, is almost always contagious. In addition, fluctuating weather patterns, such as severe drops in temperature or significant precipitation, can play a vast role in the overall health and longevity of a cervid herd or how susceptible they may be in contracting pneumonia. “Each farm is judged on it’s merits individually,” Newton said. “A northern deer farm is far different than a farm in an area such as southern Missouri where winter is a lot less hard on animals from a pneumonia standpoint.”

Symptoms of pneumonia, which can affect deer of all ages including fawns to older adult deer, can include a chronic dry cough, erratic shallow rapid breathing (most noticeable as a bouncing motion in the flank area), foaming at the mouth (unlike the look of chewing cud), diarrhea and nasal discharge. These symptoms are usually accompanied by dehydration as fawns tend to lose their desire to nurse and adult deer tend to lose their desire to eat and drink.

“Pneumonia is probably one of the most significant diseases that affect farmed deer,” said Dr. Rachael Weiss of Applied Reproductive Concepts in Greencastle, Pennsylvania. “If a farmer is losing a significant number of deer, I always recommend a necropsy and culture because many don’t know what is affecting their deer. The necropsy and culture will be a baseline to appreciate what is going on and choose the most appropriate treatment options.” To this end, choosing the right antibiotic (such as Draxxin, Zactran or sulfa drugs such as SMZ’s) can be the difference between life and death as some forms of pneumonia may be resistant to certain antibiotics. “We refer to this as the MIC or Minimal Inhibitory Concentration factor,” Newton explained. MIC defines levels of susceptibility or resistance of certain bacterial strains to administered antibiotics. “Having a reliable MIC assessment impacts your choice of a therapeutic strategy because of the potential effectiveness on an infection therapy,” he emphasized.

Newton feels any decisions regarding treatment regiments should always start first with your veterinarian. Therefore, having a good VCPR (Vet Client Patient Relationship) is just as important as developing a keen eye for illness, as antibiotics can only be acquired through veterinarian prescriptions. Acting quickly to isolate sick animals could also help save others if done promptly.

This, along with maintaining an ideal number of deer in your pens, is another important proactive and preventative measure.

“Ask yourself, what is your “Morbidity and Mortality Goal” for your farm and how many deer you are willing or able to lose,” Newton asked. “Also think about this. What is the maximum number of deer you could safely raise in the worst conditions? Consider your fawn program, too, and then bump back the number of deer in your pens. Because realistically, how much time and money do you want to spend intensely managing deer or treating sick animals?”

HOW TO CORRECTLY LINE BREED AND WHY

By: Gail Veley • Sponsored by IDEFA

Line breeding can present opportunities to produce desired, marketable and consistent traits within your whitetail herd, if you breed carefully and patiently. The bottom leg of a doe’s pedigree is the foundation for line breeding, explains Cletus Bontrager of Twin Maple Deer Farm, a 12-acre breeding farm in Shipshewana, Indiana which focuses on producing typical bucks. A doe with a strong bottom pedigree could ultimately produce a “supercharged” doe by following these most recommended steps. First, breed her to a desirable outcrossed sire. Next, select her most desirable 1st generation daughter and breed her to an outcrossed sire. Next, take this daughter’s most desirable 1st generation buck fawn and when he has matured, breed him back to his grandmother. Should this match create a doe, that doe will more than likely be the supercharged doe more “powerful” than her mother that you will use steadfast for breeding, in an effort pass on strong genetics and favorable, marketable traits.

Then, your thoughtfully bred supercharged doe can be outcrossed to a buck with your preferred traits, to perpetuate the type of whitetail herd you are desiring to raise, said Bontrager, 37, who’s been producing deer with his father Ezra since 2000.

When your supercharged doe has her own doe offspring, you would then breed those does back to your established select in-herd sires, rather than outcrossing, as this would take you farther away from the genetics and look you are after. Although this takes time and several breeding cycles, this process creates your line bred foundation stock. In most cases, only 10 to 15 percent of bucks produced from your supercharged doe will become breeder bucks and the rest, stocker bucks, said O’Lamar Borkholder of O’La Jo’s Whitetails, a seven-acre breeding farm in Bremen, Indiana. While the intent behind line breeding is to perpetuate desirable traits, inside every well-bred doe are hidden undesirable traits that only show up in her offspring, said Borkholder, who raises mainly typical deer. “The hardest thing is to keep that typical look – long, nice round beams,” he said. Therefore, if not done carefully, line breeding can expose undesirable traits and be a bigger downfall than an advantage.

Success with your line breeding efforts is realized when, after a few years, your herd begins to display and sustains a consistent look and striking resemblance, Bontrager explained.

Twin Maple has heavily line bred the Patrick line into their herd, as a result of Ezra visiting Pine Creek Deer Farm and being impressed by long-tined typicals.

Today, 100% of Twin Maple’s 180 deer all anchor down to one doe. However, Borkholder, whose cousin Eddie Ray produced the famous line-bred Patrick deer, finds very few deer farmers today have the patience to wait and develop a herd of line bred foundation stock. Of the four types of breeding choices one can practice (inbreeding, line breeding, match breeding and random breeding) he finds most deer farmers choose random breeding whereby a farmer breeds a quality doe to the biggest or most popular buck on the scene at the moment. Many deer farmers also practice match breeding, a close cousin to line breeding, which involves perpetually choosing genetic lines that “click” or are known to produce well.

And while history may point to successful cases of inbreeding (breeding father to daughter or son to mom or full brother and sisters) chances of this can be slim. Fifteen years ago, a buck fawn bred his womb sister. A doe from that breeding was then outcrossed and subsequently produced one of the biggest 10-point mainframe breeding bucks of all time, Maxbo Arty.

However, in some cases, inbred deer are born blind, weak, get ugly racks or too runt-like to be worth feeding, Bontrager said. Line breeding (breeding uncles to nieces or nephews to aunts) absolutely requires having the right doe from the very bottom leg of her pedigree, Borkholder emphasized.

St. Patrick @6

Science that delivers the health & productivity you require

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

FREE

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

ANTLER REPLICATION TECHNIQUES WHICH ONE IS RIGHT FOR YOU?

By: Gail Veley • Sponsored by the Missouri Deer Association (MDA)

Antler replication has joined the digital world and may offer conveniences not available through traditional antler replication techniques. However, both traditional and digital techniques offer their own unique advantages. Making an informed decision about which one is right for you comes with weighing the pros and cons.

In creating an antler replica “you want someone to think that set is the real one,” said Jon Dittmer of Spring Creek Taxidermy in Coder, Missouri. “If you are also taking these antlers to shows they need to be strong and hold up. Compared to what I do to make a realistic and durable set of antlers, 3D scanning would be easy,” he added.

Traditional replication methods:

• Require the customer to ship or drop off the antlers and leave them with the replicator for an agreed period of time.

• Provide the finer details of each set of antlers including veins, hair line fractures and even gnarly bumps.

• Are generally as heavy and as durable as the original set.

• Come complete with a lifelike coat of paint producing the most natural look possible (as a result of working directly with the original set.)

Yet 3D scanning, through creating a digital copy of the antlers using handheld scanners, can provide the opportunity to produce a replica the exact same size or smaller or larger than the original set of antlers. “Scanning also creates a permanent digital copy stored in the computer to have on file for fabricating another copy,” offers Dan Perreault, President of Neometrix, a 3D scanning company. Most companies who offer 3D scanning services, for a fee, may be able to bring their scanning machinery to you, allowing you to maintain possession of your antlers. In addition, 3D scanning companies:

• Use laser lines and positioning targets approximately ¼ in diameter to measure antlers, generally taking about one hour to scan a 200-inch set of antlers. Scans can typically cost between $200 and $500.

• Offer same-size resin machine printing (stereolithography) as well as “CNC” computer numerically controlled printing, allowing the antlers to be reproduced on a smaller or larger scale.

• Typically use resin materials lighter than those used in traditional replication methods, potentially making them more fragile or prone to break if mishandled.

• May or may not offer painting services once the antlers are done being processed by the machine.

Costs for traditional antler replication as well as 3D scanning are determined by the size of the rack and the amount of inches involved, usually not making cost an overly significant consideration factor when deciding which route to take. Customers should also make sure their timeline to receive a completed replica coincides with their needs, no matter which method they choose.

“Our customers have been happy with the results,” Perreault said. And while Dittmer is familiar with the 3D scanning process “there’s nothing as good or looks as real as traditional replication methods,” he said.

LIGHTER WEIGHT. MORE EFFECTIVE. MINIMAL TRAUMA.

IF YOU HAVEN’T TRIED PNEU-DART’S RDDS, 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 50+ years perfecting the ideal remote delivery device. Shorter in length and lightest on the market, our disposable RDDs provide ultimate accuracy while reducing the potential for problematic hematomas.

Don’t miss your target. Hit it with Pneu-Dart.

Photo credit: Dan Verrips