NADeFA Secures Free Genetic Testing for Producers
Hello fellow farmers, I hope this letter reaches you doing well. Our industry is thriving as we move forward on the CWD battle. Due to NADeFA working for our industry, we have secured funding to test our animals for codons and GEBV scores at no cost to the producer across the nation. We just finished the Southern Top 30 Sale in Oklahoma and it was the best Southern sale we have had in years! There were approximately 800 people in attendance at the Northern Top 30 in January which is the most I've seen in a
decade or more! I have been working with different states over the last few months to change some laws and rules to better our industry. Exciting times as I look forward to seeing everyone at the NADeFA Conference in French Lick March 19 -22nd. We will have more updates to share. u
Regards,
Chris Ezell
NADeFA President
NADeFA CALENDAR
MARCh 2025
North American Elk Breeders Association
2025 March Mingle
Courtyard Marriott Boise West Meridian, ID
March 1, 2025
Exotic Wildlife Association Annual Membership Meeting
Embassy Suites San Marcos, TX
March 6 – 10, 2025
Southeast Trophy Deer Association 2025 Spring Fling Doubletree hilton, Orlando, FLA
March 7 – 8, 2025
United Deer Farmers of Michigan 2025 Annual Convention The Ellison Place gaylord, MI
March 7 – 8, 2025
Whitetails of Wisconsin 2025 Annual Banquet/Fundraiser
The Chula Vista Resort, Wisconsin Dells, WI
March 14 – 15, 2025
French Lick Resort
French Lick, IN
March 19 – 22, 2025
APRIL 2025
154th NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits
Atlanta, gA
April 24 – 27, 2025
MAy 2025
TDA Second Annual Crawfest (hosted by Prime Acres Whitetails & Exotics) Woodville, TX
May 3, 2025
JULy 2025
North American Elk Breeders Association Convention & International Antler Competition Best Western Plus Ramkota hotel Sioux Falls, SD July 24 – 26, 2025
EWA Congressional Fundraiser Embassy Suites San Marcos, TX July 31 – August 4, 2025
AUgUST 2025
NyDEFA Picnic Mountain Side Whitetails August 2nd, 2025
Whitetail Deer Farmers of Ohio Mt. hope Event Center August 14 – 15, 2025
Texas Deer Association Annual Conference JW Marriott hill Country Resort & Spa San Antonio, TX August 22 – 23, 2025
SEPTEMEBER 2025
PDFA Fall Classic Deer & Outdoor Expo Blair County Convention Center September 12 – 13, 2025
your events to
NADeFA MISSION
To foster a greater association among people who raise deer for commercial purposes, NADeFA® is dedicated to the promotion of deer farming and ranching as an agricultural pursuit and serves its members through its educational programs and publications and by providing leadership in setting and maintaining quality standards.
For more information on NADeFA and / or to become a member please call (330) 454-3944 or visit www.nadefa.org
Deer Farmer is published quarterly by the North American Deer Farmers Association. Graphics and pre-press production for North American Deer Farmer is provided by Verso Media group (210) 639-2218.
Columnists & Contributors
Jarrid Barry
Tim Condict
Hank Dimuzio
Chris Ezell
Tony Grimard
Gary M. Pusateri M.D.
Shawn Schafer
Capitol Hill Consulting
Ashley Petersen, M.S.
Mark Neely
Joshua Newton
Mary Van Beusekom
Gail Veley
Keith Warren
Article submission, photography, reader's letters, story ideas and other correspondence should be sent to:
NADeFA
4501 Hills & Dales Rd NW Suite C
Canton, OH 44708
tel (330) 454-3944
fax (330) 454.3940
All rights reserved. Photocopying, reproduction or quotation prohibited without permission from the publisher. Unsolicited material cannot be acknowledged or returned.
Join Us at the NADeFA Conference: Uniting for Cervid Health, Research, and Networking Opportunities While Addressing Key Industry Challenges
It is hard to believe that another year has gone by so fast and here we are preparing for another conference. The annual conference is the best place to hear about the latest research on CWD, EHD, and animal husbandry practices aimed at caring for the health and well-being of your animals.
If you are looking to network and make contacts to market your animals or semen from that buck you’re proud of, having a booth in the trade show will put your farm in front of customers from throughout North America!
The fundraisers’ Thursday and Friday evenings are also an important part of not only the conference, but they fund the work your association does the rest of the year. I am terrible at relaying the day to day challenges and issues your association works on, but just this week alone I have testified in Virginia on a Bill supported by PETA to ban bottle feeding of “mammalian wildlife” (deer), which would impact our members who raise fallow deer in Virginia. I also helped fight a rule change to end propagation permits for Fallow, Sika, and Red Deer in Massachusetts. While those two issues truly impact a small part of our overall industry, I also spent a lot of time working with USDA to issue permits for export to Mexico, because someone new from USDA is reading more into the language than what is required. This is very important for a lot of our southern members on both sides of the border. You may still be sitting there thinking this has nothing to do with your farm, but I promise every one of these issues, and many more in other states, are all a “chink in the armor” that protects the rights of our industry to be successful and provide for our families! We are all in this together and as the old saying goes, United We Stand, Divided We Fall. There truly is strength in numbers.
Please don’t mistake what I am writing as a call for alarm. In the 27 years I have been in this industry, these issues have always been in this industry and will continue to always be there. Which is why we need our State and National Associations. We are the people on the front lines working to shield your farms and families from these attacks. Are we perfect, are we always successful, no, but if we were not there, our industry would have been shut down decades ago. With that said, we have been successful in keeping our industry going and making sure the safety nets are in place for the producers that get caught up in the bureaucracy of the programs.
I would like to point out that today’s market and demand for stockers bucks is one of the best our industry has ever experienced! The hunt market for all species at this year’s Safari Club
International conference was strong, which drives a demand for our animals that I do not see going away. I would encourage everyone to use these strong markets to come to French Lick and network with other members from throughout North America and build upon this momentum. If you see something in the fundraiser or spring sale that interests you, bid on it and buy it! If you have a donation that you think others would be interested in, call me or the NADeFA office and we will get it in the sale.
If you are not able to attend our Washington DC Fly-in, or your State Legislative Days, the next best thing you can do is be a part of our national conference in French Lick, Indiana, March 19th to the 22nd! u
Sincerely,
Shawn Schafer NADeFA Executive Director
David McQuaig, Chris Ezell, Tim Condict, Kevin Grace and Shawn Schafer.
Executive Committee
President Chris Ezell (2026)
Dangerous Whitetails 7134 W 420 Rd. Chelsea, OK 74016 918-697-5389 chrisezell@rocketmail.com
1st Vice President
Ryan Halfman (2025)
Black Label Whitetails 10525 Frost Rd. Portland, MI 48875 517-281-2936 blacklabelwhitetails@gmail.com
2nd Vice President
Daniel Jennings (2026)
Jennings Brothers Farms LLC 143 Beach Hill Rd. New Ashford, MA 01237 413-822-1040 dan.jennings02@gmail.com
3rd Vice President
Alan Hochstetler (2026)
Double H Whitetails 9850 Winesburg Rd. Dundee, OH 44621 330-466-1514 elkaldiesel@yahoo.com
Treasurer
Dr. Hank Dimuzio (2025) LedgEnd Farm
1288 Munger St. Middlebury, VT 05753
Phone/Fax: 802-388-3979
Cell: 802-343-8848 ledgendeer@comcast.com
Executive Director
Shawn Schafer
Schafer Whitetail Ranch 1223 18th Ave. NW
Turtle Lake, ND 58575 Office: 701-448-2002 Cell: 651-212-1315 schafer@nadefa.org
NADeFA Board of Directors “
Mark Cobb (2025) Gobblers Ridge, LLC Venison Valley, LLC Cobb Rentals, LLC 304-532-4514 mark.cobb@gmail.com
Jacques deMoss (2025) Winter Quarters Wildlife Ranch LLC 2231 W Farm Rd 94 Springfield, MO 65803 337-322-2569 jacques.demoss@gmail.com
Brad Farmer (2025) Farmer’s Fallow Deer 120 E. Robinson St. Viola, KS 67149 620-584-6634 bradshirlfarmer@sktc.net
Juan Lino Garza (2027) Ranchos Garza US/MX 18005 Jara Chinas Rd. Penitas, TX 78576 210-393-5233 jlgarza1@aol.com
Brad Heath (2027) Orion Whitetails W 13055 Akron Ave. Plainfield, WI 54966 715-335-6080 brad@orionwhitetails.com
Fred Huebner (2027) Circle H Whitetails 2575 Iowa Keokuk North English, IA 52316 319-530-7824 circleh@netins.net
Chad Jelinek (2026) CJ Whitetais 55312 CR E Eastman, WI, 54626 608-412-1124 jelinekca@hotmail.com
Rich Meech (2027) Trophy Rack Reproductions 17424 390th St. Menahga, MN 56464 218-371-0455 rstrr2003@gmail.com
Brian Pierson (2027) Pierson's Premier Whitetails 56 DrumHill Hunt Club Lane Gates, NC 27937 757-305-6099 brypierson88@gmail.com
Chris Ryckman (2027) Missouri Valley Muley’s 6150 Hwy 1804 S Bismarck, ND 58504 605-848-0209 chrisryckman@yahoo.com
Brandon Walker (2026) Cedar Breaks Mule Deer Ranch 19145 Robbs Flat Rd. Midland, SD 57552 608-695-0796 brandon@cedarbreaksranch.com
Troy Zacchini (2026) Troy's Hunt Club PO Box 15 Forest Home, AL 36030 334-346-2255 trzac@aol.com
members through educational programs and providing leadership in setting and maintaining quality standards.
“
serves it’s
NADeFA is dedicated to the promotion of deer farming and ranching as an agricultural pursuit and
info@nadefa.org
CLF Executive Committee
Chairman: Brad Farmer Farmer’s Fallow Deer 120 E. Robinson St. Viola, KS 67149 620-584-6634 bradshirlfarmer@sktc.net
1st Vice Chair: Gobblers Ridge, LLC Venison Valley, LLC Cobb Rentals, LLC 304-532-4514 mark.cobb@gmail.com
Treasurer: Dr. Hank Dimuzio LedgEnd Farm 1288 Munger St. Middlebury, VT 05753 Farm Phone: 802-388-8979 Cell: 802-343-8848 ledgendeer@comcast.com
NADEFA Cervid Livestock Foundation exists to serve the deer industry through educational, charitable and scientific purposes relating to deer farming and ranching and the use of deer products. The Cervid Livestock Foundation seeks to influence industry trends and assure a healthy and expanding industry.
The Cervid Livestock Foundation's mission is to facilitate public education about the agricultural and economic value of raising deer.
MISSION:
Educate the public as to the value and benefits of deer and deer products
Disseminate information relating to the care and breeding of cervid species
Conduct programs to support the education of deer farmers/ranchers regarding the deer industry and venison consumption
Support scientific research
Promote the expansion of the North American Cervid Industry
Current initiatives - The CLF and NADeFA sponsor a wide variety of educational activities: adult programs, youth programs, scholarships, scientific research, public awareness and marketing of deer products.
CLF Board of Directors
Mrs. Carolyn Laughlin Hilltop Whitetails 9025 Bachelor Rd. NW Magnolia, OH 44643 330-866-5421 carolyn@nadefa.org
Jacques deMoss Winter Quarters Wildlife Ranch LLC 2231 W Farm Rd 94 Springfield, MO 65803 337-322-2569 jacques.demoss@gmail.com
Brad Heath Orion Whitetails W 13055 Akron Ave. Plainfield, WI 54966 715-335-6080 brad@orionwhitetails.com
Sam Holley Oak Ridge Whitetail Adventure 7143 Noble Rd. Windsor, OH 44099 440-636-3040 sam@huntoakridge.com
WE MUST DOBETTER
by Josh NewtoN the Deer wizarD, host of North americaN Deer talk
ADVOCATINg FOR ThE FUTURE OF DEER FARMINg
For the past couple years, I've been reflecting on how we, as deer farmers, talk about our industry to those outside of it. This includes legislators, regulators, the general public, hunters, and even other farmers and ranchers. If you don't raise deer, it's difficult to truly understand what we do.
ThE IMPORTANCE OF COMMUNICATION AND ADVOCACy
As deer farmers, we need to be better advocates for our industry. It’s not just about raising deer; it's about land conservation, land preservation, economic impact, hunting heritage/outdoor experience and genetic improvement of deer herds.
One of the most critical aspects to emphasize is that deer farmers are hunters. Every single deer farmer I know started as a hunter. That passion for the outdoors led them to pursue a lifestyle where they could be more deeply involved with the animals they love. However, many wildlife agencies and regulators do not share this background, which leads to misunderstandings about our role in conservation and game management.
LAND CONSERVATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDShIP
Deer farming is a vital tool for land preservation. Many of us maintain pastures and woodlands that could otherwise be converted into developments or commercial properties. This conservation effort ensures that habitat remains intact not just for deer but for a variety of wildlife species.
Deer farming also aligns with modern environmental concerns. If we take the argument that climate change and carbon sequestration are crucial, then our industry plays a role in that conversation. Pasture and woodland management are some of the best methods for carbon sequestration. Raising ruminants like deer allows us to utilize these lands in a sustainable way while producing high-quality protein and recreational activities.
ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITy BENEFITS
Our operations are not just about the animals; they provide economic stability to rural communities. Through local business support, employment opportunities, and
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revenue generation, deer farms contribute significantly to the economy. These businesses create jobs, sustain agricultural land, and foster a sense of community engagement.
ThE ROLE OF gENETICS IN CONSERVATION
One of the most promising areas for our industry is the genetic improvement of white-tailed deer. Through controlled breeding programs, DNA testing, and artificial insemination, we have dramatically improved the quality of deer over the past few decades. Traits such as body size, antler growth, and disease resistance have all been enhanced through responsible breeding.
This genetic progress becomes even more significant when we consider Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD). As this disease continues to be a focal point of concern on a national level, deer farmers are uniquely positioned to contribute solutions through selective breeding for resistance. We have the ability to provide a reservoir of genetically superior animals that can positively impact both farmed and wild populations.
INTEgRATION INTO ThE NORTh AMERICAN MODEL OF WILDLIFE CONSERVATION
Historically, wildlife conservation efforts have focused on two key elements: species preservation and regulated hunting. However, one aspect that often goes unacknowledged is the role of genetic diversity and restocking programs. Deer farmers have the potential to support conservation through responsible stocking and genetic management, filling in gaps that traditional wildlife agencies struggle to address.
ThE FUTURE OF WILDLIFE AgENCIES AND FARMED DEER COLLABORATION
The first few state wildlife agencies that develop a program in conjunction with private deer managers and breeders to create a structured restocking or pasture release initiative will be ahead of the game (See Oklahoma). Whether it’s a controlled liberation program, a pasture release strategy, or a stocking initiative, integrating high-quality genetics into the wild population benefits everyone.
Such a program wouldn’t just enhance trophy potential; it would also improve overall herd health and help mitigate CWD by introducing genetically resistant animals into the wild. The benefits of this approach extend beyond the deer themselves—it’s about revitalizing hunting destinations and boosting rural economies.
Hunters will travel from across the country to pursue highquality, low-disease deer populations. With increased tourism comes spending: lodging, dining, equipment purchases, and other outdoor recreation expenses. More non-resident hunting licenses will be sold, funneling significant revenue into state conservation funds. A simple one-dollar increase per license in a state like Pennsylvania, which sells nearly 900,000 deer licenses annually, could generate close to a million dollars for targeted conservation initiatives. This funding could be reinvested into habitat improvement, disease management, and strategic genetic enhancement programs.
A structured collaboration between private deer farmers and wildlife agencies is a win-win scenario. It strengthens hunting traditions, supports local economies, and helps address disease challenges in wild herds. By working together, we can take proactive steps toward a healthier, more sustainable future for white-tailed deer populations across North America.
A CALL TO ACTION
Our industry is not immune to politics and policy. If we want to continue to thrive, we must engage in these discussions strategically. We must position ourselves as essential contributors to conservation, land stewardship, and economic sustainability. Rather than fighting against the system, we must work within it to ensure that our voices are heard and our contributions recognized.
By framing our work in terms of conservation, sustainability, and economic impact, we can foster a better understanding of deer farming. Let’s continue to refine our message, educate those around us, and advocate for the future of our industry. u
Zoo Pharma Dynamics Launches Field Trials to Combat Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease
Zoo Pharma Dynamics (ZPD) is set to commence its third round of field trials aimed at preventing Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease (EHD) in collaboration with the North American Deer Farmers Association (NADeFA). The trials will take place from May to August 2025, featuring five deer farms selected by NADeFA for this vital research initiative.
Participants will receive a top-dress pellet supplement intended to repel the midge fly, the primary vector of EHD. This supplement is designed as a repellent rather than a cure. The partnership allows NADeFA members to actively contribute to research efforts and share important data.
NO COST TO PARTICIPANTS
Notably, there is no financial obligation for NADeFA or the participating farms. ZPD emphasizes the importance of these trials in building the data necessary for FDA/CVM approval.
"We are excited to partner with NADeFA for these crucial field trials," said Brian Kanke, president of ZPD. "This
collaboration not only empowers deer farmers with firsthand experience in EHD prevention but also contributes to our understanding of how to combat this disease, which poses a significant threat to deer populations."
If you’re interested in participating and contributing to the fight against EHD, please reach out to Brian Kanke at Brian@zoopharmadynamics.com. Your involvement could help shape the future of deer health management!
ABOUT ZOO PhARMA DyNAMICS
Zoo Pharma Dynamics is a pharmacognosy research and development company dedicated to advancing animal health through innovative solutions. The company works closely with leading veterinarians, scientists, and researchers worldwide, focusing on developing targeted therapies and preventative measures. Their efforts are not merely academic; ZPD aims to address pressing health issues in various animal populations, enhancing the welfare of animals through effective and safe healthcare products. u
Kickstart the New Year:
Join Us for the 2025 NADeFA Conference in French Lick, Pre-Register Now and Support Our Growing Community
As we move into the new year, we want to take a moment to reflect on the recent events and look ahead to what’s coming next. We had the pleasure of attending both the Northern Top 30 in Shipshewana, Indiana, and the Southern Top 30 in Pocola, Oklahoma—both of which saw great attendance and strong support from the industry. It’s always rewarding to connect with so many of you and see firsthand the passion and dedication that continue to drive deer farming forward. Several state associations are also having events in the coming months so be sure to check out the events list at the beginning of this issue.
Now, our focus is on the 2025 NADeFA Conference, happening March 19–22 in French Lick, Indiana, and we need your help! Please pre-register for the event. Doing so ensures we have an accurate headcount for meal planning, and it allows us to have your nametag printed and ready— helping you get to the event hall faster without waiting in line. You can conveniently register online at NADeFA.org,
call the office 330-454-3944 or mail it in. Thank you in advance for helping out!
We are also seeking donations to help make this year’s conference a success. Whether it’s auction items, sponsorships, or other contributions, your support plays a crucial role in keeping our event strong and beneficial for all members. If you are interested in donating, please reach out—we greatly appreciate any and all contributions!
We are incredibly excited to see everyone in March and to bring you another fantastic conference filled with education, networking, and industry growth. Thank you for being a part of NADeFA—we appreciate your support and look forward to seeing you soon! u
Best regards,
Marci & Lisa
NEW DEER FARMERS SEMINAR
Wednesday March 19, 2025
Hosted by NADeFA Cervid Livestock Foundation Sponsored by Pneu-Dart
SPEAKERS
7:30 - 8:30 Registration, Light Breakfast
8:30 - 9:15 Fencing – Tyler Aker, High Fence Solutions
9:15 - 10:00 Remote Drug Delivery – Josh Newton, Pneu-Dart
10:15 -11:00 Tranquilization – Mike Russin – NexGen Animal Health
11:00 - 11:45 Principles of Herd Health and Neonatal Management, Part 1, - Roxanne I. Knibb, DVM, Westover Ridge Vet Clinic LUNCH
1:00 - 1:45 Principles of Herd Health and Neonatal Management, Part 2,Roxanne I. Knibb, DVM, Westover Ridge Vet Clinic
1:45 - 2:30 Reproduction – Scott Josephson, Tri-County Veterinary Clinic
2:45 - 3:15 Handling, Loading, Hauling, Delivery - Fred Huebner, Circle H W/Ts
3:15 - 4:00 North American Deer Registry – Gary Cook, NADR
4:00 - 4:30 Welcome to Deer Farming – Keith Warren, Deer & Wildlife Stories
4:30 - 5:00 Open Panel/Questions & Answers
CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST AND LUNCH ARE INCLUDED.
$50 per person or $75 per couple you can pre-register or register at conference. Continental breakfast and lunch are included.
JOIN US FOR THE SCI MEASURING SEMINAR
Wednesday March 19, 2025
March 19th, 2025, 12:30 PM – 4:00 PM
$150 includes SCI Scoring Kit (does not include SCI membership)
CONFERENCE SCHEDULE
Wednesday March 19, 2025
8:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M. New Deer Farmer's Seminar: Hosted by the Cervid Livestock Foundation
Sponsored by Pneudart ($50 per person, $75 per couple)
Coffee & rolls provided Wednesday morning
Lunch provided Wednesday noon
10:00- 9:00 P.M. Exhibitor Set up
12:30 - 4:00 P.M. SCI Scoring Seminar - $150 per person
2:00-6:00 P.M. Pre-registration
6:00 P.M. Cervid Livestock Foundation Director’s Meeting
7:30 P.M. NADeFA Director's Meeting
Thursday March 20, 2025
8:30 A.M. - 6:00 P.M. Registration and Exhibit Hall open
*Antler Competition entries submitted from Thursday until Friday at 10:00 AM - ($50 per set)
*Coloring and photo contest entries may be submitted until 5:00PM Thursday.
*Contest Voting will begin at 5:00PM Thursday and will continue until 2:00PM Friday.
10:00 – 11:00 A.M. Fawn Health
Roxanne I. Knibb, DVM & Nathan M. Knibb Westover Ridge Vet Clinic
12:00 - 1:00 PM Lunch – Welcome
General Membership Meeting
Introduction of Board Members
Life Member Recognition
1:00 P.M. Silent Auction (open until 5:00 PM Friday)
1:00 - 4:00 P.M. Dart Gun Competition
1:00 - 2:00 P.M.
Next Generation Predictive Genetics for White-tailed Deer and Elk
Dr. Christopher M. Seabury, Professor, Department of Veterinary
Pathobiology - Texas A&M University
2:00 – 2:30 P.M. CWD Genetics Susceptibilty, ODA’s HCP Updates
Dr. Liane Davila-Martin, DVM, MPH
Vet Epidemiologist - ODA Division of Animal Health
2:30 – 3:00 P.M. A Blood Test for CWD In Live Deer, The Dream Becomes a Reality
Gary M. Pusateri, M.D. Dream Genomics
5:30 P.M. Dinner
6:00 P.M. NADeFA Annual Fundraiser Auction
CONFERENCE SCHEDULE
Friday March 21, 2025
7:30 - 9:00 A.M. NADR Board Meeting
8:00 - 6:00 P.M. Exhibit Hall open
9:00 - 12:00 P.M. Dart Gun Competition
10:00 - 11:00 A.M. Herd Health
Anthony Klingler, DVM, Concord Veterinary Clinic, Concord, MI
12:00 Lunch
Recognition of 20, 25 & 30 - year members
1:00 – 2:00 P.M.
EHD & Bluetongue Vaccine Update
Ashley Petersen, M.S., Clinical R&D Lead, VST, LLC dba Medgene Labs,
2:00-3:00 P.M.
Game Management Solutions (GMS) New and Improved!
Tom Thomas, Sara Bohannon, North American Deer Registry
2:00 P.M. Coloring & Photo contest voting ends!
5:00 P.M. Silent Auction Closes!
5:30 P.M. Dinner Buffet
6:00 P.M.
6:30 P.M.
7:30 P.M.
NADeFA Annual Fundraiser Auction
NADeFA Spring Sale
NADeFA Annual Fundraiser Auction
Saturday March 22, 2025
8:00-12:00 P.M Booth visitation
9:30 A.M. Awards presentation: Photo and Dart Gun competition,
10:00 A.M. Antler Competition Awards
12:00 P.M. Booth Tear Down
EVENING ON YOUR OWN TO NETWORK AND SOCIALIZE WITH FELLOW NADEFA MEMBERS!
Sunday March 25, 2025
Travel Home
SNEAK PEEK
AT
SOME OF OUR AUCTION ITEMS
5x6 Double Drop Blind
South Dakota
Praire Dog Hunt
Nature Calls Feeder, Coon Proof! 760lb
2 1/2 day - Louisianna Alligator Hunt
Choice Upland Bird or Free Range Kansas Whitetail
Archery or Muzzleloader Hunt
Blackhawk Whitetails
Nutra Glo
Rocky Ridge Whitetails
2025 ConferenCe
Diagram 1. Comparison of coffee machine and platform vaccine manufacturing process.
Progress on Medgene’s Vaccine Safety Study in Whitetail Deer
By Ashley Petersen, M.S. ISPRIME Director, Senior Scientist
The last two and a half months have been a busy and exciting adventure. Three farms (MO, OK, OH) have graciously allowed use of their deer to assist Medgene in obtaining a prescription license (explained in more detail later) for our new vaccine formulation in white-tailed deer (WTD). One additional farm in SD will be used to ensure we meet USDA requirements for total deer enrolled. This safety study involves full vaccination of at least 300 deer, with an additional 300 deer used as non-vaccinated controls for comparison purpose (600 total need to complete the study). Daily health observations are recorded for 35 days, with special attention made to injection site reactions. Physical palpation of injection sites is conducted on the day of each vaccination and on the final study day. This determines if the vaccine is causing any lumps or other issues at the injection site. This is the only official USDA approved safety study conducted in WTD! We are literally making history.
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Nold Farms - Missouri
As I write this article, the MO farm has completed the 35-day study, the OK farm just completed second vaccination last Saturday (01Feb), and the OH farm will have second vaccination this coming Saturday (08Feb). By the end of February, all three currently enrolled sites will be finished with the study. In March, a SD farm will begin the study to allow us to meet the total 600 deer USDA requirement.
Overall, all three sites have been very happy with the safety profile of this new formulation. Of the 565 deer enrolled between the three sites (a little over half vaccinated), we’ve only had a few noted as limping for a day or two after vaccination, one deer with a small pea sized injection site lump, and one with a small scab at the injection site1. Medgene’s goal is to have all data and final report submitted to the Center for Veterinary Biologics (a division of the USDA that regulates veterinary biologics) by June. The typical CVB review time is unfortunately 3-6 months, therefore we do not expect the license in WTD until closer to the end of the year.
WhAT’S A PRESCRIPTION PLATFORM PRODUCT
According to the USDA, a production platform utilizes a single “backbone” vector or expression system and a standard process for inserting a gene(s) of interest (GOI) into the backbone to generate different recombinant
constructs, which are then used to produce product following a standardized method for manufacture. The final product is non-replicating and nonviable. A prescription platform product is based on a written prescription from a veterinarian, for administration to animals within the context of a Veterinarian-Client-Patient Relationship (VCPR). Prescription platform products have no demonstrated claim of efficacy but are tested for safety and purity.
So, what does all that mean? In more understandable terms, a company makes a coffee machine and uses that coffee machine with different pods to make different flavors of coffee. Diagram 1 illustrates the comparison of a coffee machine making different cups of coffee, and a manufacturing process making different vaccines.
Medgene has a licensed killed baculovirus vector vaccine platform, with prescription technology currently being used for swine and cattle vaccines. This vector system allows us to produce proteins from nearly unlimited viral targets. These proteins are mixed with certain adjuvants to induce a strong immune response when used in an appropriate vaccination regiment. Protein-based prescription-platform vaccines represent a new approach to targeting diseases affecting animal health. In concept, the approach takes the sequences of field isolates to generate a library of ready-made vaccine targets that can be formulated into veterinarian-prescribed formulations to meet individual, regional, or national needs. In practice, the technology uses advanced field monitoring,
Buckhorn Whitetails – Oklahoma
computer-assisted predictive algorithms for vaccine design, and both computer-assisted and bench assay methods to ensure the effective delivery of appropriate structure and amount of immunogenic proteins.
Medgene is expanding prescription platform technology for use in WTD (purpose of current safety study), sheep, goats, and turkeys. The manufacturing process and adjuvant for the new WTD, sheep, and goat formulations currently being tested in safety studies are the exact same as our licensed cattle vaccines. The only difference between the cattle vaccines and WTD vaccines is route of administration – cattle is labeled as subcutaneous and WTD will be labeled as intramuscular.
An exciting new addition coming this spring to our cattle prescription vaccine offerings is a multivalent Bluetongue vaccine. This vaccine is against serotypes 11, 13, and 17. Any licensed veterinarian can purchase this vaccine directly from Medgene and provide it to clients, under a Valid Client Patient Relationship (VCPR). Our cattle vaccines are labeled as a 2mL subcutaneous dose, initially given as two doses about 3 weeks apart. We recommend single dose boosters every 6 months.
SAFETy SITES SPOTLIghT
A huge THANK YOU to Nold Farms, Buckhorn Whitetails, and Blue Spruce Whitetails for all your hard work and allowing the use of your deer for this critical study. We greatly appreciate you, all your incredible helpers, and of
course your wonderful deer! It’s been a pleasure to work directly with all of you and your deer to execute this study. Here are some highlights from vaccination at each farm.
This is preliminary data has not been reviewed or approved by the USDA.
MEDgENE’S DEDICATION TO ThE DEER INDUSTRy
As always, Medgene is willing to assist any producer that needs help with disease concerns. Whether it’s an EHDV concern, unknown disease threat, bacterial concern, or questions about our vaccine offerings in other species, we will do what we can to offer a solution. Our goal is to provide products and advice that drive herd health to the next level.
Any questions or comments can be sent to Ashley at ashley.petersen@medgenelabs.com, 605-697-2608 or 605690-2316. To order EHD vaccine, please contact orders@medgenelabs.com or 605-697-2600. Please allow at least two weeks from vaccine order to shipping. u
Blue Spruce Whitetails – Ohio
Dr. Rod Hall, Chris Ezell, and Tim Condict.
Dr. Chris Seabury, Chris Ezell, and Tim Condict
HOW TO EDUCATE LAW MAKERS
BY TIM CONDICT
How many of you know who your State Legislator and Senator is? Have you had them out to your farm? Who has been to their office?
It's not hard to educate law makers and people of influence. The biggest problem I have seen is people not understanding that law makers work for you and almost all of them understand they work for the people and welcome the opportunity to learn about our industry.
In Oklahoma we have done tons of things in the past to bring Legislators up to speed. I wrote language for and made a video for Whitetails of Oklahoma that we used to pass out to Legislators and play anyplace they were in attendance. I ended up doing one for NADeFA, New York, Missouri and a couple of other places. We also invited Legislators to our farms and showed them exactly what we do. We invited their family to come and the kids drove the Polaris to and from the pens, petted deer and everyone got their pictures taken with the deer. I would blow the picture up and frame it and visit their office at the Capitol and give them the picture. All of them put those pictures up. Show them how you move deer to and through your barn, how you run deer through your chute and why you run deer. Tell them about the specialized feeds we use and how much money we spend in those rural communities that need it the most. Tell them what your dreams are and how you got started. Feel free to educate them on the over-regulation of your industry. How we use marginal properties that doesn't produce economically in normal business models but we can make a living doing something we love on that marginal property and raise tax revenue for the local schools. We have added value to and in some cases even saved the family farm. Show your pride in what you do. When you return to your house make certain to have a homemade pie and invite them in for
a piece of pie and a glass of tea. If they hesitate, make sure to tell them how disappointed you will be if they don't because you made it especially for them. When they come in your house they see the pictures of your family and when they eat the pie, you have developed a relationship that is different than most of their other constituents. You have become a friend. Don't have a bunch of deer breeders there. It should be you and your Legislator unless you don't know much yet and aren't comfortable. In that case invite one breeder that does know a lot and is comfortable.
One of the best things we done was picked a nice farm close as possible to the Capitol and rented party busses and brought them to the farm. We had several double seat rangers brought by deer farmers to do tours. We would have a group in the Rangers touring and another group in the barn. We would explain how we brought the deer down the lane to the holding pens and stalls. We would use deer breeders to pretend they were deer and would show how we ran them all the way through the Chute. We explained why we ran them and the vaccines we gave when we did. They asked tons of questions and when they all had seen every aspect of our business we fed them a fantastic BBQ dinner and dessert. There was also whatever they wanted to drink. We showed our video and always scheduled it when we had newborn fawns. We would bring a fawn up and vaccinate and apply the tag. When they left, they were educated.
If you don't know your Representative and Senator, go to work today to plan how you are going to change it. It's not hard and it will pay rewards that you can't imagine. u
A LIGHT OF HOPE How God Led Help to Us After Hurricane Helene PART II
by Misty Silvers, WNC Survivor
Friday, September 27, is a day that changed Bakersville and many parts of WNC forever. Prior to that day, our area had been hammered by a tropical storm on Wednesday and Thursday that had already put our area at flood stage level. After all was said and done, our area received over 20 inches of rain in a matter of a few days.
In the early morning hours of Friday, September 26, I awoke to hear the winds howling and the rain pelting the roof. At approximately 7 a.m., we lost power and all cell service on Cane Creek in Bakersville. I remember looking out my window toward Roan Mountain Baptist Church to see that the water had already breached the banks and was almost even with Sandy Branch Road, which runs alongside the church. I remember thinking, “This is bad.” I had no idea how bad it was about to become. At 10 a.m., I looked toward the church again and remember exclaiming to my son, “The water is up above the church basement windows!” In only a few short hours, the water from Cane Creek had risen so quickly that it was coming across the field in front of my house, and the bottom basement windows at the church were not visible—something I had never seen before. Later reports indicated Cane Creek crested at 13 feet. Bear in mind, the same stretch of Cane Creek is probably only 2 feet deep on a good day! I stepped outside onto the deck only to
hear docile Cane roaring and rolling like the ocean. I could see waves of muddy water carrying logs, cars, farm equipment, and pieces of buildings down the creek. The wind, which reports indicated was gusting as high as 50 mph, was deafening. Trees were falling all around, making main roads completely inaccessible, and without power or cell service, we had no way to communicate with anyone. Our picturesque, quaint mountain town had become something that looked like a war zone simply within a matter of hours. One of the most crippling aspects of the storm aftermath was having no method of communication. Power poles were completely washed away, and fiber optic cable was washed out of the ground, making cell communication impossible. Roads, including Cane Creek Road, had been cut in half, and many remaining roads were unstable. Travel was treacherous at best; however, help found us somehow—God led them there.
I don’t remember the exact day, as days and times became a blur, but I remember Leon Miller walking up to me and introducing himself. Our church, Roan Mountain Baptist, had become a full-scale disaster relief hub for folks in our part of the community, and Leon found me there. He told me he was looking for a place to help and that God had led him to Roan Mountain Baptist Church. He said he had
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more people who could come and bring equipment if there was need. There definitely WAS need. One aspect of the Appalachian Mountain culture is that we don’t easily trust strangers. I remember thinking and even asking God, “I don’t know this person. Should I be worried?” I later walked outside and observed Leon outside the church praying alone. I knew God had answered my question.
Over the days and weeks that followed, Leon became family. He brought Jacob, Lyndon, Daniel, Ryan, and Lydon, as well as Anita and Katie. They slept in the church pews, on cots, in vehicles, and I know it had to be uncomfortable at times. With no power, we had to turn the generators off at night to conserve gas, leaving them completely in the dark;
yet they never complained. We worked together, ate together, and, most importantly, prayed together. Leon taught me about OnXHunt, an app I had never heard of, that proved to be invaluable for charting and keeping up with needs and work completed. Leon was so patient with us because none of us had ever been through a disaster before and we had no idea what we were doing! We taught him “small town Southern directions,” i.e., “Go down to the 2nd curve by Cindy’s house, take that road to the right, find the white house with green shutters where George’s grandmother used to live, and it’s the 3rd house on the left.” Leon had to patiently remind us that he didn’t know Cindy or George and that we would have to give him an actual road name! Leon and his group repaired countless driveways and roads, allowing people the ability to get out to check on neighbors
and family and even get to the church to get supplies and food. Anita and Katie functioned like angels sent directly from heaven. By that time, supplies were arriving by the truckload every few minutes. The basement of our church had flooded and was unusable; therefore, the only space we had to distribute supplies was our fellowship hall and sanctuary. Anita and Katie jumped right into the bustling supply center, and began organizing, cleaning, labeling, and cooking for nearly 12 hours every day. They worked harder than any two young women I have ever seen before. We could not have functioned without the two of them during those weeks. As Leon had become my “brother,” they had become my “sisters.”
Needs during that time changed hourly, sometimes every minute. Leon helped me keep everything organized in terms of the physical needs of the community. I turned over all tree and driveway work to him without even a second thought. There were times we weren’t sure what decision to make or how to make it, but Leon would say, “The Lord will provide,” and He did. Time and time again, He never let us down for even one second. Whether it was generators, heavy equipment, extra Starlinks, gasoline, chainsaws, or DEF fluid, when we vocalized a need, the Lord saw fit to literally have those very items walk through the church door within minutes. It was so overwhelming at times that all I could do was look up and say, “Thank you, Jesus!”
With no power (which meant no water, also, for most), hot food became a luxury. People were living by what they could cook on grills and over a fire. The community began flocking to the church just to get some hot food, as the church had a gas stove and a generator that allowed us to cook. During one of those meals, Leon asked me if people could use some fresh meat. I said, “Absolutely!” When the freezers of frozen meat arrived, courtesy of Whisky River Whitetails Hurricane Relief Auction, it was like literal manna sent from heaven. Without power, most people had lost everything in their refrigerators and freezers. Bakersville has many hunters, and many lost all their deer meat. I cannot describe the look on people’s faces when they came to the supply center, and we told them we had frozen meat. A few people almost cried. It was as if you had given them a brick of gold!
Leon and his crew stayed for almost two weeks. During that time, our supply center became a full-on disaster relief hub. We had a fully functioning medical team set up on-site. Samaritan’s Purse, in conjunction with the United States
One aspect of the Appalachian Mountain culture is that we don’t easily trust strangers. I later walked outside and observed Leon outside the church praying alone. I knew God had answered my question.
“ “
military, landed multiple Chinook helicopters full of generators and supplies in the church field. We served 200400 meals nightly through World Central Kitchen and area restaurants that brought food. Leon and his crew helped in every aspect of our relief hub. When they left, it was almost as if a piece of our family left, too.
As I write this, we are about four months post-Helene. While progress has been made, there is still so much left to do. While very few homes in Bakersville were completely washed away, hundreds have ended up not being able to live in their homes due to mold and water damage that became apparent in the weeks that followed the storm. Most people in Bakersville were without power for two to three weeks. The weather was also unseasonably warm in September and October. Since there was no power to run dehumidifiers, mold grew to levels in the weeks after Helene that caused people’s homes to become uninhabitable. In addition, most people with home damage did not have flood insurance, as nothing of this magnitude had ever happened in anyone’s lifetime in Mitchell County. As a result, the cost of many home repairs is 100% the responsibility of the homeowner. Many people are still living in campers.
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Our biggest needs now are for major home repairs so these folks can return to actual homes instead of campers. Winters in the Appalachian Mountains can be brutal, with snow and single-digit temperatures. Propane to help heat campers is also still a huge need. Seasoned firewood is also greatly needed, as many people in Bakersville heat their homes with wood stoves, and many people’s “wood piles” were destroyed by the wind and rain. Debris cleanup is also still a major need. Hurricanes typically hit areas that are flat without a lot of trees and vegetation. Mountains, especially in the Appalachian range, are not flat and are covered in trees. In fact, in Mitchell County (the county Bakersville is in), the NC Forest Service has reported that 59,000 acres of forest land and timber were damaged by Helene. As Mitchell County is the fourth smallest county in land area in NC, that amount of timber damage is unfathomable. The sheer
amount of debris still covering Mitchell County is also staggering. Creeks have redirected themselves, the volume of water that rushed through the waterways completely washed away acres of land along the creek and river beds, and the uprooted trees continue to litter every waterway in Mitchell County. Another need is purely financial. Due to the businesses that were destroyed by Helene, Mitchell County is now #1 in unemployment of all 100 NC counties. For a county with a total population of less than 15,000, this has been devastating to our overall economy and to our people.
While the recovery will be long and hard, we know God will never leave or forsake us. We are forever indebted to Leon and Katie Miller, Anita Swartzentruber, Jacob and Lyndon Yoder, Ryan Sauls, Daniel Stallard, Lyndon, and all those who listened to His voice and were led to Roan Mountain Baptist Church. u
NEW MEMBERS
IJuan Carlos Alvarez Vega El Bonito
Lee Angele Fawned of Bucks Deer Ranch
Seth Apel Trinity Whitetails
Jason Blosser Blosser Whitetails
Josh Burkholder Burkholder Whitetails
Ryan Burkholder
Nathan Carlin Bluespruce Whitetails
Jeremy Collins PacWhitetails
Ramon Cordova Santa Maria Ranch
garrett Donovan Donovan Deer/Veteran Vension
Reuben graber R&D Whitetails
Matt harris harris Whitetails
Bryan hemenway hemenway Whitetails
Buddy hyde National Land Realty
Christopher Kuchera Rocky Creek Farm
Jacob Lahr Double O Whitetails
Mark Mann Red Wire Ranch Whitetails
Jody Mattingly his Will Whitetail
Terri McDonald M4 Exotics, LLC
howard Moore Southern Raised Whitetails
Jack Morgan Shawlin hills
Dennis Music Music's Farm
Randy Panttila Triple R Whitetails
Dan Paulhamus Blank heritage Farm, LLC
Zack Rowe Zro Bucks
Roger Rudd 1st Rate Whitetails
Klby Rudd 1st Rate Whitetails
Zach Sherman Nine Mile Whitetails LLC
Andrew Skwiat
Paul Smith Frontline Farms
Benjamin Spangler Big Vision Whitetails
Zack Spiker Outdoors LLC
Cody Stanton BB Whitetails
Mike Stiles
John Sumrall Sumralls Louisiana Whitetails
Joshua Sumrall Sumralls Louisiana Whitetails
Aidan Tompkins Bluespruce Whitetails
Matthew Weaver hickory Bottom Ridge Whitetails
Carol Woodlief NCDA & CS
Mary Zimmerman
VICTORY
In Bear Camp & The Cycle Of Support
By Randy Barks
There's no better place to ponder life than in the limbs of a tree in the northwoods! Bear hunting brings out the best in me with big bruins and ladderstands leading to some of the deepest digging that my simple mind is capable of. But unlike an arrow, bolt, or rifle round, the trajectory of thought can't be determined and seldom hits where it's aimed. Such was the setting, in early May last spring, as Victory in bear camp brought me to a trophy I had not planned on taking. While Jack Victory took home his best bear to date, I took to heart a better appreciation for the cycle of support that is the very lifeblood of our international deer farmers association.
As publishers of Deer Tracking Magazine for the last 26 years, my deer farming family from northern Saskatchewan has gratefully gained and given through our mutual support with NADeFA. But while warning others not to take things for granted, we ended up guilty of doing the same. We advise others not to wait until trouble strikes before valuing those in a position to help but, admittedly, it wasn't until we lost our herd of whitetail deer to CWD that we woke up to the incredible worth of NADeFA, even for those of us who didn't previously and properly appreciate or support... and even us
in Canada (it IS called NORTH AMERICAN Deer Farmers Association after all)! NADeFA was present in full support through our entire ordeal and we committed to a more active return of support.
So now we look at our life and consider what we might humbly offer -- sometimes a trap-line adventure in the remote regions of northern Saskatchewan or, more often and as pre-bookings allow, a fully outfitted and guided black bear hunt. The latter is what we had room for in 2024 and donated to the NADeFA fundraiser auction. The purchaser was Jack Victory, president of Capitol Hill Consulting Group (NADeFA's national lobbying firm in Washington, DC) and we were set for a week to remember!
ThE MISSION
Jack has hunted a lot of game over a lot of geography, including black bears in the USA. It was clear that he wanted a big boar (bigger than before), but he wasn't in any hurry- and that's a good thing with LOTS of big bear and colour phase potential at hand. Shawn Schafer (8X visitor to our
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Bear
Essential hunting camps and present hunt'n buddy to Jack) knew the area and sites second only to our family... and he was certainly holding out for a particular legendary boar that posed a worthy challenge! Together, Jack and Shawn were the A-Team of trophy bear hunt'n and my mission was to combine maximum activity with biggest boar potential!
ThE STRATEgy
The best bear hunting involves significant strategy and preparation. My mission was to combine maximum bear activity with biggest boar potential, but these two seldom fit neatly together. So, while maintaining many baits over a wide region, I intentionally ramped up the attractants and goodies only within a smaller area that trail cams and history predicted to be the hot zone! Two hunters, A-Team or not, can't cover a big area and chasing the activity rarely works well, so we narrowed down and maximized the options. Shawn's target bear was a monster named Capt'n Stump, an estimated 15 year old, three-legged, battle-scarred, big brown boar that earned legendary status through our years of pursuit, close encounters, and multiple missed chances by
various hunters. Capt'n Stump was now old, really big, and rather smart... perfect for Shawn! We zoned in on Capt'n Stump, made his turf the hot zone, and the bears did the rest with multiple other big boars moving in and competing for grub... perfect for Jack! We were set!
ThE hUNT
With 100% opportunity for every hunter we've ever had in camp, we were pretty confident in the entertainment value ahead... but would we get the "right hunter" on the "right bear?" Oh, we were on the bears, with multiple bear activity virtually every sit, but it's funny how things go when hunting! Jack would see lots of bears and some good, tempting ones... but Shawn would see the ones that Jack would not have hesitated on. And Capt'n Stump, Shawn's ONLY target, would show up minutes after dark. If we swapped sites, so would the bears! We weren't even tempted to move from "the hot zone" though, and so the A-Team kept up their game!
Giving credit where credit is due, I don't think we've ever had a more scrutinizing hunter than Jack in camp and I came to a realization why this guy is so good at representing deer
Capt'n Stump gives fleeting chance, but not to Shawn.Hunter-taken photo of Capt'n Stump in 2022.
farmers when he is not a deer farmer. He's a great bear camp mechanic and not hesitant about getting his hands dirty, he joins in a good ol' Bible study and discussion, is civil in talk'n politics, knows a quality skin'n knife, and is generous to the point of literally giving me the shirt off his back (it was a oneof-a-kind camo NADeFA shirt that I admired)! But he's excellent at representing deer farmers because he's smart, determined, and is an excellent student. Even with his hunting experience, Jack humbly asked lots of questions in bear camp, studied approximately a zillion trail cam pics, and embarked on his own mission of being able to confidently judge the difference between a boar and a big sow (not an easy thing) and then take the biggest-skulled boar possible (the biggest body is often NOT the biggest skull)! And, on Day 5, Jack got it done!!
ThE TROPhy
The trophy is what you take home so, while a hunter can tag only one bear, hopefully the trophy includes far more. Shawn never tagged a bear this time, but he took home some memories of close encounters with big bears that he wished were a mile over in front of Jack. "The Tall One" would be taken two weeks later and would end up tied for the Top 3
spot of all-time BEWA camps and would’ve been Shawn’s best-to-date! "Shorty" would also be taken then (both on the two sites Jack hunted) and would end up as one of our heaviest spring weights ever. However, Jack's big boar would actually have the exact same skull size as this monster-bodied boar... so great judgement call, Jack! And Capt'n Stump... well... through a series of strange events two weeks later, he escaped unscathed TWICE! One hunter who, like Shawn, was determined to ONLY take the legend, just might have experienced a bit of bear fever, not only not shooting with the mammoth boar in for ten full minutes of legal light and inside of 20 yards... but this hunter forgot to even lift the gun!!! Then a husband-wife duo, sitting together, had the wife shoot a boar earlier in the evening and then saw Capt'n Stump in the final minutes but didn't shoot with one bear already down! And I was left thinking, "Wow! Jack and Shawn would've got it done!"
ThE CyCLE OF SUPPORT
I love bear hunt'n! Every single animal is a blast of entertainment and the big, old boars and colour-phase wonders really get the blood pump'n! But, with Victory in
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Jack is tough on any target.
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our 2024 bear camp, I was struck with a fresh appreciation for how the cycle of support works around us and for us! Back in 2007, NADeFA had given help to our family, who'd been semi-supportive at best, and now we try to give back as we can. Jack's firm gets paid to lobby for NADeFA, but he turns around and personally buys lots of NADeFA fundraiser hunts, essentially returning monetary support back to NADeFA and thereby helping to pay his own way! And as Jack purchases another hunt for his daughter, another outfitter is ready to donate. Shawn gets paid as NADeFA's executive director, but essentially pays his own way by bringing in donations (hundreds of thousands through his network of contacts), as well as personally purchasing MANY fundraiser items, and by donating his (and his family's) own fundraiser items (last year = $30,000 + in donation auction sales). At this very moment, I sit in a
glider-rocking chair donated by some generous Ohio deerfarmers (who enjoy freedoms and markets secured by NADeFA) -- a chair personally delivered by Shawn on a personally paid for deer hunt that makes me want to support NADeFA some more. Networks create support, support creates networks, and together they create a cycle of healthy business from which every active deerfarmer (and many non-deerfarmers) benefits. And I have to be careful not to envy how much is gained by someone else and, rather, notice how much is given!
So, with the 2025 NADeFA annual convention and fundraiser upon us, let's throw our support into it! Give generously. Bid often. Have fun. And although I highly recommend pondering it all from the limbs of a tree in the northwoods, from wherever you are, consider carefully the cycle of support that is alive and well and good! Victory in bear camp helped me see the light! Thanks Jack!! u
Jack's boar, on the left, moments before the shot
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Important Announcements For The Year
We are excited to announce several key updates for the PDFA this year:
· New President: Robert Monheim
· New Treasurer: Jason Stefanowicz
· New Secretary: Kelly Monheim
Additionally, we have updated our address and contact information:
· New Address: P.O. Box #3, Leechburg, PA 15656
· New Phone Number: 724-212-5126
We would like to extend a warm welcome to all our new members! We look forward to a productive and successful year ahead.
Record Attendance and Strong Prices at Northern Top 30 Auction Inspire Excitement for NY Deer Farmers
Hello NY Deer Farmers,
"We have plenty of reasons to raise whitetails" is what I told a fellow deer farmer I was talking with the first evening of the Northern Top 30 auction in Indiana. With record breaking attendance and very strong prices it was the best Top 30 that I have ever attended in the 7 years I have been raising whitetails. It’s an exciting time to be a deer farmer.
I am also really looking forward to the NADEFA conference in March. I encourage everyone to attend at some point, you will not be disappointed.
On the NY side most of us are continuing on pretty much as normal since the CWD positive case was found in the red stag farm. I truly feel sorry for the family affected it must be absolutely devastating to experience. Since Ag & Markets is still paying for testing resistance in our whitetails there is no reason not to be breeding in that direction. For instance, you are trying to decide between two bucks, which one to keep as a breeder, and which one to send as a stocker. Keep the more resistant one for breeding. Or you get twin doe fawns and you want to sell one of them, wait until you get the results and sell the less resistant one, it’s that simple!
March 31st is the deadline for getting your annual report filled out and sent to DEC. They will no longer send you a reminder, contact me if you need a form.
Mark your calendar for the NYDEFA summer picnic on August 2nd at my farm, MountainSide Whitetails. We had a great event in 2024, and we are working on making the 2025 event even better, I am looking forward to seeing everyone again.
Have a happy, healthy, winter! It will be fawning season before we know it. u
Dana Hoover MountainSide Whitetails
Crafting Masterpieces from Timber
Yoder's Chainsaw Art
Dalton is a small town located in central Wisconsin and charm of small-town America In the heart of the countryside, where the hum of chainsaws meets the scent of fresh-cut wood, Yoder's Chainsaw Art stands as a testament to creativity, and skill. This family-owned business has carved a niche—quite literally—in the world of woodworking, transforming raw logs into breathtaking sculptures that capture the imagination of all who behold them.
Yoder’s Chainsaw Art is not just a business; it’s a passion, said Joni Yoder. He grew up drawn to anything that he could do that allowed him to create using his artistic vision. Each piece is uniquely crafted, ensuring that no two sculptures are ever the same.
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ThE ART OF ChAINSAW CARVINg
Unlike traditional wood carving, chainsaw art requires a delicate balance of precision and bold strokes. Joni is a selftaught chainsaw artist. Using a variety of chainsaws, from large timber-cutting saws to finely-tipped carving saws, Joni bring his visions to life with remarkable detail. From lifelike animals and rustic totems to custom pieces tailored to customers’ requests, his work demonstrates both artistry and technical prowess.
MORE ThAN JUST WOODWORK
Joni’s chainsaw carving is more than just shaping wood—it’s about storytelling. Each sculpture tells a tale, whether it's a majestic eagle symbolizing freedom, a playful bear capturing the essence of the wild, or a religious-themed carving that holds deep meaning for its owner. Joni takes pride in knowing that his work not only decorates homes and gardens but also holds sentimental value for those who commission their pieces.
A LASTINg LEgACy
As Yoder’s Chainsaw Art continues to grow, the dedication to quality, authenticity, and tradition remains at its core. Whether adorning a park, a cabin, or a front porch, each sculpture carries with it the legacy of skilled hands and an enduring passion for the art of woodcarving.
For those looking to own a piece of handcrafted beauty Yoder’s Chainsaw Art has graciously donated a one-of-a-kind piece for the NADeFA conference. Make sure you stop by booth #714 to meet Joni Yoder, see his incredible artwork, and of course bid, bid, bid! u
Congressional Priorities for 2025
On January 3, 2025, the 119th Congress began with Republicans controlling the House, Senate, and White House. The Republican trifecta positions them to influence significant pieces of legislation but also allows them to take the lead on key issues that must pass this year, including Government Funding, Reconciliation, the expiring Trump Tax Cuts, and the debt ceiling.
gOVERNMENT FUNDINg
Congress still needs to pass the FY25 appropriations bill while simultaneously beginning the FY26 appropriations season. To recap, last December, Congress passed a second continuing resolution (CR) to extend federal spending and avert a government shutdown through March 14, 2025. The bipartisan CR passed the U.S. House and Senate by bipartisan votes hours before midnight when the first stopgap measure was set to expire (December 20). However, with the new Congress, congressional spending has been lumped into a list of priorities that Republican leadership must resolve before the March deadline.
RECONCILIATION
Republicans have secured control of the House, Senate, and White House positioning them to influence significant legislation, particularly tax reform and the extension of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), which will be a major focus in the coming year. To facilitate this, they are likely to use a process called budget reconciliation, which allows legislation to bypass the Senate filibuster—a procedural process requiring 60 votes to overcome—and pass with a simple majority. This process, established by the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, streamlines revenue, spending, and debt limit measures outlined in the budget resolution. However, it’s important to note that the “Byrd Rule” limits what can be included in a reconciliation bill, excluding policy changes
that do not impact spending or revenue or allow changes that would increase the deficit outside the budget window.
EXPIRINg TRUMP TAX CUTS
At the top of Republicans’ 100-day agenda is the plan to renew $4 trillion in expiring tax cuts. Many provisions of the TCJA expire at the end of the year, especially the individual tax cuts for most Americans. These provisions were the most significant changes to the Internal Revenue Code in more than 30 years, many of which reduced income taxes for individuals and businesses. Republicans will have to figure out what to prioritize and how to pay for it, as the Treasury estimated that fully extending the individual and estate tax provisions of the TCJA would cost $4.2 trillion between 2026 and 2035, which could climb if several already-expired provisions were restored. Congress will have to make difficult choices, namely, how to pay for the tax cuts as the federal debt sits at over $36 trillion. Republicans have a very slim majority in the House, leaving no room for dissent to push it through.
DEBT CEILINg
The debt ceiling, the $36 trillion federal government debt limit, was reinstated on January 1, 2025. The Treasury must immediately resume accounting maneuvers known as “extraordinary measures” to temporarily keep the government from defaulting on its debt. Congress will have to come together to find a solution, and if they do not by the time that extraordinary measures lapse, the federal government may be at risk of defaulting on its debt. Even a short-term breach in the debt limit could have significant economic implications- reducing the gross domestic product, wiping out trillions of dollars in U.S. household wealth, and losing millions of jobs. Although Republicans control Capitol Hill, they remain divided over how to
address the debt ceiling, as they still have to pass a government funding bill for the fiscal year 2025, and a temporary spending measure.
IN SUMMARy
The 119th Congress’s tasks are clear through bipartisan effort or reconciliation, but other priorities like immigration and energy legislation are also key issues that Republicans have to consider in their must-pass priorities. It will be interesting how they seek to pass the FY25 funding bill, begin the FY26 appropriation bill, work on a budget reconciliation, pass tax reform, and extend the debt ceiling, all with a thin majorit u
By Caroline Herrera Capitol Hill Consulting
NADeFA and CLF Steady Amidst Challenges, Strong Conference Sales Set for Success at French Lick
INCOME:
With all the ups and downs of weather this winter, I’m happy to report that NADeFA and CLF are maintaining a steady state. As is almost always the case our 1st quarter is in the red. But we are having strong booth sales, registrations, and sponsor commitments for our upcoming conference in French Lick, which all contribute to the bottom line. It is always up to you, our members, to get your auction donations to the office, then come to the conference and bid, bid, bid. A good showing at the conference means a strong 2nd quarter and puts us back in the black for the remainder of the year. I look forward to seeing you at French Lick. u
Respectfully submitted,
hank Dimuzio Treasurer NADeFA
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Dedicated to Overcoming CWD
GEBV & Markers
By Gail Veley
John Ervin Stoltzfus has an unwavering passion to help all deer farmers be successful. Through the ability to run CWD susceptibility genetic tests on deer, John Ervin, 40, owner of Rocky Ridge Whitetails in Narvon, Pennsylvania, feels success may now be more easily attainable for anyone in the deer industry who is striving to raise healthy CWD free herds. Now in his 28th year as a deer farmer, Stoltzfus has felt the pressure over the years from CWD regulations, leading him to find genetic solutions for his farm that could be modeled by anyone.
“Since Dr. Christopher Seabury has done research to determine genes that reduce CWD susceptibility, The
Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture is finally looking at solutions which include not depopulating an entire herd if a CWD positive is detected,” John Ervin said. After being introduced to Dr. Haley from Midwest University eight years ago, he started breeding for resistance markers after it was subsequently determined that “GG” deer are those most susceptible to contracting CWD. In recent years, Dr. Seabury finalized his research from many CWD positive deer farms, choosing the more highly infected herds that appeared to be positive for a longer period of time. In 2020, when Dr. Seabury made his 50,000 genetic markers genomic test (GEBV) publicly available, John Ervin immediately got his
breeder bucks and doe tested and continued his campaign to breed toward less CWD susceptible deer. While he understands this genetic test isn’t 100% bullet proof, he is hopeful once he has a complete herd with all “GG” markers removed and better GEBV’s, he will have low risk on his farm of any deer contracting CWD. He has never had CWD positive detection on his farm and he is trying to do everything in his power to keep it that way. The closest wild deer positive detection is currently more than 50 miles away. However, the closest detection of CWD in a captive facility happened within 15 miles from Rocky Ridge Whitetails on February 5th, 2020, causing a ban on John Ervin’s ability to move deer to some states. This coming February 5th, 2025 marks the mandatory five year waiting period upon which afterwards, John Ervin can move deer again into several more states. This will be a breath of fresh air once it happens.
John Ervin has experienced and has seen a lot of ups and downs in his 28 years of raising whitetails. He remembers a time in 2001 or 2002, when new rules came into effect requiring all deer to be five years CWD certified before they could be sold across state lines. “What a blow that was,” he said. “So, nearly everyone started to test 100% back then. After 5 years of testing around 2006 and 2007, most farms in Pennsylvania had become CWD certified and could move deer across state lines again. It showed in the auctions again that with more freedom, came better prices to sell deer to other breeders across state lines. There was no CWD found in Pennsylvania after testing for nearly 10 years, until 2012.” “I’m now so thankful we have the ability to run these susceptibility tests,” he said. “I also hope in the near future that states with closed borders will allow deer into states that have met the CWD resistant threshold with codon 96 SS and a GEBV -0.0560 or lower like the CWD Genetic Improvement program in Oklahoma to release deer into the wild.
John Ervin became hooked on deer farming when attending his first deer auction in the year 2000 with his father at Redoy Acres in Ohio. With breeder bucks selling for as high as $56,000, John Ervin believes that very day is the day when the deer breeding industry started to get a lot attention, and whitetails started to get in very high demand. It was also around that time that the industry “pioneers” started collecting semen to use in A.I. “Back then, the World
Record whitetail bucks were still in the wild, but soon after that we saw tremendous genetic gains made and in early 2000's,” John Ervin reflected. “I remember the first two-yearold buck that scored 200", the first ever 300" farm raised buck and soon after that the first ever 400" buck. I also remember the first ever 350" buck that sold as a stocker buck and was hunted for $150,000. Back then that was the new World Record buck that was ever harvested. Records were also being set each year on antler sizes and prices.”
“We have seen supply catch up to demand in Pennsylvania and surrounding states,” John Ervin pointed out. “We’ve also seen more and more CWD positives and quarantines and have had a lot of deer farmers going out of business, selling out or downsizing. There became an oversupply of deer and prices were dropping each year. Plus, there have been anti-deer farming groups spreading some misleading information about deer farming, shedding an unfavorable light on the hard work we’ve done and what we’ve achieved to help all farmed deer, and perhaps even wild deer.” Pennsylvania had close to 1,200 licensed deer farms when CWD hit. Afterwards, those numbers began to drop. Recently the Pennsylvania Dept. of AG reported the number of deer farms to be closer to 600. “I have experienced so many disappointments of deer farming friends who have gone out of business in my state and in some other states over the past 10 years due to CWD positives, CWD tracebacks or CWD regulations,” John Ervin said. “I am sure you can understand why I’m so excited to finally have a tool (breeding CWD resistance) to fight this disease with the hope that my friends who are still in business and all newcomers, will use this tool now to fight this disease, along with the most recent science to back it up.”
In addition, John Ervin said he has already seen a big shift towards less CWD susceptible genetics in his semen sales, embryo sales and breeding stock sales. “I’ve also had hunting ranches tell me that less CWD susceptible genes will not make a difference to their hunters as long as the deer are fat and healthy, but they said it will make a difference if they are bringing in less CWD susceptible deer and lower their overall CWD risk,” he said. When looking at Bedford County, Pennsylvania, the CWD positive rate of wild deer appears to be rising each year, with a 37% positive rate in the
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2023/2024 hunting season. John Ervin keeps wondering what the CWD Hot Spot in Bedford County will look like in another 10 years on both sides of the fence, if inside the fence of a deer farm has all codon 96 G's bred out and GEBV's averaging -.2 or -.3 or better. “With Oklahoma passing legislation to stock CWD resistant deer into wild populations, is it a possibility in the future of Pennsylvania that our Game Commission might allow the same?” John Ervin asks.
He still remembers when as a young boy, the Game Commission was selling wild fawns to his neighbor’s deer farm for $100 each. “We all know at one point deer were brought in from the wild, just like our cattle and horses were years ago,” John Ervin said. “For many years since then it’s been illegal to bring wild deer into breeder pens. In Pennsylvania they stock fish and pheasants. Why not stock deer into the wild that could help their genetics?” While John Ervin has always bred highly marketable deer, his top priority now includes breeding for markers and GEBV’s along with width, beam length, tine length and solid mass (large mainframe). Rocky Ridge breeds 10% to 20% of their deer for super large non-typicals and 10% to 20% for clean typical, as well as large percent for a super large mainframe. Whether they are clean or they have extras, John Ervin is fine with that as long as they have a large mainframe. For example,
Rocky Ridge raised the largest non-typical harvested deer in the SCI record books. Dream Ridge Whitetails, who uses Rocky Ridge genetics, received 2nd place for a non-typical harvested deer. Rocky Ridge also received 1st and 3rd place for a typical harvested deer in SCI Record Books. Rocky Ridge has received nearly 100 awards at the DBC and NADeFA in their scoring books, validating the breeding decisions and genetics he so strongly believes in.
With the powerful proven doe lines Rocky Ridge has built over the years he believes one of the most important things in growing big bucks is having a strong doe foundation. As a fulltime deer farmer whose income is 100% dependent on his farm, he is grateful for the help of his wife Mary Ann and their six young children. “Bottle feeding fawns is a highlight of working together as a family,” he said. With more than 200 deer on two properties, it keeps them very busy. Joey Harrington, with whom John Ervin has a deep friendship and strong partnership for 18 years, also has 36 deer on the farm. John Ervin is also partners on more than 100 deer at eight different farms in several different states. “Each year I feel like a kid on Christmas morning opening presents when I got my GEBV and codon markers results back from NADR on my fawns,” he shared. “After lots of time, hard work and money put into genetic improvements, it’s rewarding to see the genetic gains made.” u
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What about variations in the prion gene like codon 95, 96 and others?
While some codons (the parts of DNA that code for a specific amino acid) in the prion gene, particularly codon 96, can strongly influence incubation period, the contribution of any codon to the total genetic merit (GEBV score) is rather low. While codon 96 contributes more to susceptibility than any other individual region elsewhere in the genome, most of the overall susceptibility is due to the cumulative genetic contributions of these other regions. In other words, breeding for specific codon 96 genetics (GS or SS) alone is insufficient to significantly reduce herd susceptibility. That said, there is a role for codon 96 in reducing herd susceptibility, just not on its own.
How can you use GEBV Scores and Predictive Genetics to Reduce Herd Susceptibility to CWD?
The primary goal of predictive genetics using GEBV scores is to generate herds that are less susceptible to CWD, either avoiding the establishment of CWD after an exposure, or limiting the spread within the herd if infected. Additionally, predictive genetics can be used in certain circumstances to clean up CWDinfected herds within and/or beyond a quarantine period.
The generation of herds with reduced susceptibility to CWD is only achievable when the steps below are diligently followed. Leaving poor scoring, highly susceptible animals within a herd allows CWD to rapidly spread and contaminate the environment. Even good scoring deer may not be able to withstand infection in highly contaminated environments or in herds with a high CWD prevalence.
Steps to using GEBV scores for herd improvement:
Get GEB scores which include codon 96 genetics on all animals within the herd, regardless of age. Good scoring animals can be GG, GS, or SS. Do not cull a good scoring animal simply because it is a GG!
Identify all animals with scores above the minimum cuto value of -0.056 (i.e., above means less negative; and those that are closer to zero, or that are positive numbers).
Keep meticulous herd and breeding records that includes GEBV scores and codon 96 data.
Determine if the herd has a su icient number of deer with scores below the cuto to sustain a viable breeding population without breeding too tightly. Tight breeding to get desired scores is not recommended. Tight breeding will unmask negative recessive traits.
Develop a culling plan to remove as many deer above the cuto as possible. Some herds may not contain a su icient number of deer below the cuto to sustain the herd. In this situation purchasing good scoring animals or semen straws from good scoring bucks is recommended to selectively breed with best scoring does on site. With careful breeding over several generations, the overall GEBV scores can be significantly improved, and the herd susceptibility reduced over time.
Good scoring deer with GS and SS at codon 96 in the prion gene are ultimately the goal. However, good scoring GG and GS deer can be bred with good scoring mates to generate desirable o spring with GS or SS at codon 96. This allows for genetic improvement without tight breeding.
For More Information
Ask for professional help at CWD@usda.gov when circumstances are unusual or complicated. This will save time, money, and perhaps even your herd in the long run.
Sus scrofa
The Study
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Figure 1. Sus scrofa
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Odocoileus virginianus Cervus elaphus canadensis
Figure 2. Sus scrofa
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Figure 3. Sus scrofa
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Conclusions
Figure 4. Sus scrofa
About the Author
References
Sus scrofa
Texas Game Wardens Uncover Illegal Whitetailed Deer Smuggling Operation
Texas Game Wardens have concluded an investigation that led to the arrest and conviction of two individuals involved in illegally moving captive white-tailed deer.
A South Texas deer breeder and his business partner were caught attempting to smuggle seven deer from a licensed deer breeding facility in East Texas through Montgomery County to Brazoria and Duval counties, where they intended to illegally release the deer into the wild on private property.
The case unfolded when a Montgomery County Game Warden conducted a traffic stop and discovered the illegally possessed deer being transported without required documentation or identification. Further investigation uncovered significant violations of Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) statutes and regulations, as well as criminal and traffic violations. Both individuals were arrested and booked into Montgomery County Jail.
The deer breeder faced 41 total charges: one traffic code violation, 11 penal code violations and 29 deer breeder violations under the Texas Administrative Code and Parks and Wildlife Code. He pleaded guilty to three penal code violations and 29 deer breeder violations. His business partner was charged with two penal code violations and 28 deer breeder violations, of which he was convicted.
Both men were convicted on multiple counts of violations committed with the intent to circumvent disease monitoring and testing requirements. Violations included failure to conduct antemortem chronic wasting disease (CWD) testing, failure to obtain valid transfer permits, removal of breeder deer without required identification and illegal possession of live game animals. Combined, they were convicted of a total of 57 deer breeder violations, one alcohol and two dangerous drug violations. They received a total $12,060 in fines.
This case underscores the commitment of TPWD and Texas Game Wardens to protecting the state’s natural resources and
upholding wildlife regulations. The possession and movement of deer are regulated, among other reasons, to mitigate the spread of diseases like CWD and to ensure the health of both captive and free-ranging wildlife populations. Anytime a white-tailed deer leaves a breeding facility, it must be uniquely and permanently identified, no matter its age. Breeder deer that have not been properly identified or have had their identification hidden or illegally changed or removed are commonly referred to as “ghost deer.”
“Flagrant violations, such as intentionally transferring deer without identifiers, hinder Texas’ ability to identify the source of a deer in the event of a disease detection,” said Col. Ronald VanderRoest, TPWD Law Enforcement Director. “This creates the potential for negative impacts to the health of both captive and free ranging deer populations, the deer breeder industry, landowners, hunters and Texas’ outdoor and rural based economies, where white-tailed deer hunting has a $9.6 billion annual economic contribution.”
"This case perfectly illustrates the dedication and hard work of Texas Game Wardens by not only uncovering the defendant’s illegal operation but also highlighting the importance of protecting our state’s natural resources," said Ann Kuykendall, Montgomery County assistant district attorney. "This prosecution sends a clear message: those who knowingly violate these laws will be held accountable.”
With no available site for return, their unknown disease status and the unacceptable risks associated with their release into the wild, the “ghost deer” in this case were euthanized in accordance with protocols related to disease testing. The type of activity the suspects were participating in led TPWD to believe a heightened risk of disease exposure existed. Fortunately, the epidemiological investigation revealed no detection of CWD. u
CWD Cases Confirmed Across Southern States
Author’s Note:
I like to bring awareness to these CWD articles, from states that do not have an active farmed deer industry; to show we are not the problem!
Recent reports have confirmed the presence of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in various southern states, raising concerns among wildlife management authorities and hunters alike.
SOUTh gEORgIA
In South Georgia, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) announced the first positive case of CWD in white-tailed deer, detected on a property that spans Lanier and Berrien counties. This significant finding marks Georgia's entry into the list of 36 states and 2 Canadian provinces that have reported CWD in the deer population. The DNR confirmed that the infected deer was found within a controlled testing area, indicating a focused response is necessary to monitor the potential spread of the disease. CWD, caused by infectious proteins present in deer saliva, feces, urine, and soil, typically takes up to a year to show symptoms. Once they appear, deer may experience severe weight loss, neurological symptoms, and lethargy.
DNR's Assistant Chief of Game Management, Tina Johanson, emphasized the importance of immediate surveillance in the area surrounding the infection. The department will expand its testing radius and is urging hunters in Berrien and Lanier counties to have their harvested deer tested for CWD. To facilitate this, the DNR is providing freezer drop-off locations for deer heads, which will be sampled for further analysis.
MISSISSIPPI
Meanwhile, neighboring Mississippi is also facing challenges with CWD. The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks (MDWFP) reported multiple positive cases in north Mississippi, including three in Benton
County and one in Marshall County. This season alone, there have been eight confirmed cases of CWD, adding to the total of 326 detections since the disease was identified in the state in 2018. CWD remains a concern due to its 100% fatality rate and the difficulty in detecting the disease until deer are in the advanced stages. MDWFP is working to control the spread of CWD by encouraging hunters to submit their harvested deer for testing, avoid practices that lead to deer congregation, and monitor younger buck populations.
TENNESSEE
Notably, Carroll County, Tennessee, has also reported its first case of CWD in a hunter-harvested deer, as confirmed by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA). Like Georgia, Carroll County is already part of a CWD management zone; existing hunting regulations and wildlife feed restrictions remain unchanged. TWRA has submitted approximately 9,000 samples for CWD testing, signifying an extensive effort to monitor and combat the disease.
The recent confirmations of CWD across South Georgia, Mississippi, and Tennessee underscore the urgent need for heightened awareness and management strategies as hunting season approaches. Wildlife agencies are advocating for mandatory testing of harvested deer in affected areas to better understand and control the spread of this transmissible disease. For hunters, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises exercising caution by disposing of meat from affected areas or testing it before consumption. u
The Story that Starts with a Hat
By Leon Miller
On one afternoon, as we set out to cut firewood, I had already spoken with Misty about where to go, and she mentioned a holler down yonder on Doug Young’s farm. It sounded like a good plan, so I sent some guys over to start cutting but wanted to doublecheck and find out exactly where I could find Doug. They told me to head down to the main street, where the devastation had taken out the parts store, Doug’s auto mechanic shop, and the propane business. As I pulled in, I started asking around, and someone pointed me in Doug’s direction. I waited a bit since he was busy, but when I got the chance, I asked him if we could cut firewood on his farm, letting him know I was with Roan Mountain Baptist church. Without hesitation, he said absolutely—we could cut to our hearts’ content from the fallen trees. As we stood there talking, something caught my eye. I looked up and noticed the logo and name on his hat—it was one I recognized. I asked Doug where he got his hat. He told me he picked it up at the Apple Festival in Napanee a couple of years ago. I couldn’t believe it and said, “No way—that’s where I’m from!”
We kept talking, and Doug asked if I knew the Showalter’s, who own Showalter RV there in Napanee. I told him that I knew of them but didn’t know them personally. Then he mentioned a guy named Larry, and I asked if he meant Larry Hostetler. He said, “Yes—Larry and Theodore.” I couldn’t believe it. “I know those guys very, very well,” I said. Doug was just as surprised, telling me that they had been there and had just left the day before. It really shows how small the world can be when people come together to help each other. As we continued talking, he mentioned that this was the first time he had ever worn that Napanee hat from the apple festival.
We kept talking about little things, and then he asked where we were staying. I told him we were still up at the church house, sleeping on the pews and the floor. Without hesitation, he said, “If you’re friends with Larry and Theodore, then you are friends with me too—you should come stay at our house.” I was taken aback by his kindness but said okay, got his number, and jumped in the Gator. As I drove off, I stopped for a moment, thinking, “Wow…
did that really just happen?”
I went on my way for the rest of the day, and that evening, Doug called me and asked when we were coming down. I told him we’d take him up on the offer for a shower, but we wouldn’t stay the night since we still had another crew of nine from Indiana who had arrived Thursday night. It didn’t feel right for us to get a bed when they didn’t have one.
Doug insisted, saying, “Oh, just bring them along.” I told him it was too short notice to arrange everything but tomorrow would work out better since the young folks were heading back home that Sunday morning. Somewhere in the conversation, we also figured out the plan for the famous banana pudding.
So, the next night that’s exactly what we did. The kindness and hospitality shown by Doug, along with the way everything fell into place, was truly heartwarming. It’s amazing how things aligned. Doug told me earlier the day before, he had already gotten into his truck, ready to leave, when he suddenly decided he needed a hat. He went back inside the house but couldn’t find the one he had been wearing the past few days—it was probably too muddy. Out of all the hats sitting there, he grabbed one he had never worn before, a hat that had been sitting on that shelf for the past two years. A hat from the Napanee apple festival. It’s moments like these that remind us that God is always working behind the scenes, orchestrating events in ways that we might not even notice until we take a step back.
That evening, we ate until our bellies were full, and before the night ended, we joined together in prayer, asking for safe travels for the young group as they prepared to head home at 3 o’clock Sunday morning.
God is in control. He knows every hair on our head. Thank you and God Bless. u
!Always ater, Clean Fresh W
