AL SU 25 Full Book by DandKDesign

CARING FOR FAWNS IN THE SPRING

More Than a Labor of Love

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

PRESIDENT

Rodney Ragon

256-558-8997

Rodney@theswampwhitetails.com

VICE PRESIDENT

Cameron Odom 251-689-7321 fiveosranch@gmail.com

TREASURER

Billy Norris 205-275-4686 deerplace16@gmail.com

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Amy Murphy 205-928-2906, aldeerassoc@gmail.com

DIRECTORS

Jeff Beaver 256-571-5054

jeffbeaver@olympiaconstruction.net

John Biddle 205-337-4521 johnbiddle@thelegacyranch.com

Chad McMichael 256-295-3945 chad@duckspringsplantation.com

Dustin Reid 256-239-2457 piedmontfencing.reid@gmail.com

Chris Wigley 256-738-5059 cwigley09@gmail.com

Troy Zacchini 334-346-2255 info@troyshuntclub.com

Tony Catanzaro 256-393-6550 tony.catanzaro@comcast.net

Darrell Champion 256-572-6640 darrellc@dcequipmentinc.com

A WORD OF APPRECIATION

FROM RICK CLARK “TURKEY HEAVEN” TIMES TWO FOR KIDZ OUTDOORS! LLC

By: Gail Veley

Once again, we have had an outstanding start to Turkey Season with Kidz Outdoors! This year, we put off the hunt until April 5th so we could use decoys, which are very helpful to draw gobblers in for children who can’t walk.

Carol and I were at Deer Head Cove in Dekalb County, Alabama with Daniel Silvers who spearheads the chapter there. We had 10 Special Needs children hunting. Daniel provides guides and helpers that can do whatever it takes to get these Special Hunters to and from hunting blinds successfully. Any of you turkey hunters know how hard it can be to “call in” and harvest a Tom. These guides are wonderful, do not pressure the turkeys, and they put up blinds early so that the turkeys will be acclimated appropriately. They also scout for them on side-by-side vehicles for the same reason.

We had taken seven gobblers by late afternoon and just before roost time, another young man shot the biggest of the Toms. That one was our Number Eight harvest out of the ten kids who participated. Those numbers are outstanding –Thank you Lord!

The food was also fabulous with plenty of fresh fruit, snacks, homemade cakes and banana pudding. Now for Part Two: Kidz Outdoors also sent two kids to Tennessee for a hunt hosted by Craig Kimbrel (one of the best relief pitchers in baseball!) He also has a very special “turkey heaven” that his family and friends work just as hard to get ready for Kidz Outdoors season.

Carol and I usually go on this hunt as well, and I hate that we couldn’t have been at both. I have an inside source who proudly reported that two hunters took three gobblers in two days. These were also special needs kids, so these are outstanding stats, too!

All in all, our Kidz Outdoors final tally for the weekend was 12 kids harvesting 11 Toms. Congratulations to all of our hunters and thanks to all the people that did the hard work and expected nothing in return. On behalf of them and their families, we are beyond grateful. If anyone would like to make us aware of a deserving child who would like to participate in a hunt, please call us at 205-410-3779 and God Bless!

LIFETIME MEMBERS

JEFF

STEPHEN FRED BECK

DUSTIN

SCOTTIE KELLEY Albertville,

KENNETH WALKER Baileyton, AL

TONIO SWORDS Horton, AL

BRIAN

JEFF BEAVER Albertville, AL

JOE HEADLEY Clanton, AL

BO PIERCE Camden, AL

BRETT DAVIS Brent, AL

DAVID DIVINE Glencoe, AL

WATTS Centerville, AL

CHAD TANNER Davisboro, GA

KENNETH WALKER Baileyton, AL

TERRY KENNEDY Toney,

Albertville, AL JOE HEADLEY Clanton,

PIERCE Camden,

DUSTIN REID Piedmont, AL DAVID DIVINE Glencoe, AL

JEFF MCCALLISTER Gordon, AL

SCOTTIE KELLEY Albertville, AL

SCOTT BOUTWELL Phenix City

TIMOTHY SPILLER Ariton, AL

RUSTY WEAVER Vestavia, AL

MAT WATTS Centerville, AL

CHAD TANNER Davisboro, GA

KENNETH WALKER Baileyton, AL

TERRY KENNEDY Toney, AL

TONIO SWORDS Horton, AL

BRIAN WARD Mobile, AL

CAMERON ODOM Citronelle, AL

J.J. MEEKS Montgomery, AL

SCOTTY HOOPER Cullman, AL

LEE HULSEY Fruithurst, AL

JOHNNY PARRIS Fyffe, AL

VINCE MCCOY

LIFETIME MEMBERS

FRED BECK Tuscaloosa, AL

BRETT DAVIS Brent, AL

DUSTIN REID Piedmont, AL

DIVINE Glencoe, AL JASON PILGER Mobile, AL

JEFF MCCALLISTER Gordon, AL

SCOTTIE KELLEY Albertville, AL

SCOTT BOUTWELL Phenix City

TIMOTHY SPILLER Ariton, AL

RUSTY WEAVER Vestavia, AL

WATTS Centerville, AL

CHAD TANNER Davisboro, GA

KENNETH WALKER Baileyton, AL

TERRY KENNEDY Toney, AL

TONIO SWORDS Horton, AL

RYAN CHAMPION Boaz, AL

STAN PARKER Morris, AL

CAMERON ODOM

SCOTTY HOOPER Cullman, AL

DARRELL CHAMPION

TROY ZACCHINI Forest Home, AL

MARK CLARK Tibbie, AL

JUSTIN BUTTS

RICKY CLEVELAND Oneonta, AL

CHIP BURKES Brent, AL

JOHNNY PARRIS Fyffe, AL

Whitetail Forest Farms

RICKY BECK Geneva, AL

VALLERIE & SCOTT PARKER

GEORGE CAGLE Millbrook, AL

JOSEPH MARTIN Cullman, AL

CADE WHITE Dawson, AL

TRAVIS TYLER Summerdale, AL

JOHN BIDDLE Gardendale, AL Whitetail Forest Farms

RICKY

VALLERIE & SCOTT PARKER Jemison, AL GEORGE CAGLE Millbrook,

Forest

Tibbie,

Cullman, AL

LEWIS BEAR Pensacola,

CHIP

Brent, AL

LUCAS MOODY Long Island, AL

Boaz, AL

Dawson, AL

Feed Enhanced for Premium Performance

Black Creek Deer Blends

-Select & Premium-

To Order Call: (256) 504-9841 Email: blackcreekmilling@gmail.com

Alabama Family Owned & Operated

Black Creek Premium Deer Blend is a complete feed designed to provide everything needed for deer raised in confinement It provides 18% Protein and 5% Fat from quality highly digestible sources. This complete feed is made from blending fortified pellets and high-quality whole grains including roasted soybeans for an appealing and highly palatable product. Black Creek’s Premium mix is everything you can ask for in a feed including high vitamin A, chelated minerals, enzymes, probiotics, garlic, kelp, rice bran and more. Full of additives to support from within and mitigate the impact of stress to help deer reach their full genetic potential. No more mixing at the trough required. It saves time and money. Black Creek Reserve provides 15% Protein & 5% Fat for supplementing deer turned out on forage. The same quality ingredients as the Premium mix for an easy transition into turn out.

Buck Blend is a high fat attractant of whole corn, roasted soybeans and peanuts that is perfect for broadcast and gravity feeders. 13.75% Protein and 7% Fat for a calorie source that will draw in deer.

-Effects of Our Vitamins & Ingredients-

Vitamin A aids in new tissue development, including antler growth and reproduction, while Vitamin D aids in absorption of calcium and phosphorus, crucial for antler and skeletal growth in deer. Vitamin E reduces oxidative stress, supports the immune system, and maintains cell membrane integrity.

Premium and Reserve blends also contain Increased levels of Copper and Zinc to boost immune response and disease recovery. These ingredients are crucial for new tissue and antler development, and are bioavailable for animals. Premium & Reserve mixes also include Biotin, which is a building block for cartilage, antler growth, structural development, and reproduction.

Owners: Lance & Sheri Foster Plant Manager: Zach Stuchlik

Member

ADA 2023-2024 Board of Directors

Rodney Ragon, Cameron Odom, Billy Norris, Casey Mitchell Troy Zachini, Dane Dorsett, Mat Watts, Chris Wiggly, Jeff Beaver, John Biddle, Chad McMichael, Dustin Reid

CODE OF ETHICS

I hereby make application for membership in the ALABAMA DEER ASSOCIATION agreeing to conform to the ALABAMA DEER ASSOCIATION CODE OF ETHICS and BYLAWS governoring this Association.

Signature:

CLASSIFICATIONS (Please check one)

Each Silver Member is understood to provide goods and/or services to the industry. Silver Members shall be entitled to receive quarterly ADA magazine. Silver Memberships renew every year at the Annnual Membership Meeting. NO VOTING RIGHTS.

Each Gold Member shall be entitled to attend all ADA meetings and receive quarterly

Each Diamond Member shall be entitled to attend all ADA meetings and receive quarterly ADA magazine. VOTING RIGHTS IN STATE MEMBERS ONLY. DIAMOND MEMBERS WILL BE RECOGNIZED ON THE ADA WEBSITE AND IN ALL MAGAZINES FOR 5 YEARS.

Each Platinum Member shall be entitled to attend all ADA meetings and receive quarterly ADA magazine. VOTING RIGHTS IN STATE MEMBERS ONLY. PLATINUM MEMBERS WILL BE RECOGNIZED ON THE ADA WEBSITE AND IN ALL MAGAZINES AND TRADESHOWS FOR THE LIFE OF THE MEMBER.

The Board may change dues from time to time

CARING FOR FAWNS IN THE SPRING

MORE THAN A LABOR OF LOVE

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

Early on in the start of each new year, Amy Stefanowicz takes inventory of everything she’ll need for the upcoming spring. Fawning season and the expectation of 54 fawns might be a few months away, but then again, it’s as though it’s right around the corner. Bottles, nipples. Check. Fawn paste, probiotics, goat’s milk, puppy training pads, cleaning supplies. Check, check, check. Known for her expertise in successfully raising calm and well-acclimated deer, Amy and her husband Jason of Awesome Whitetails in Middlebury, Pennsylvania may have the science of raising fawns perfected as this year marks their fifth season. In addition to meticulously managing a fawn’s health and immune system, Amy believes acclimating them to outside stimulus is just as important. Given that deer generally become comfortable with specific individuals, she plays a radio 24/7 inside the barn to get them used to strange noises and voices. “I’ve found this really helps them to not overreact if someone new comes around,” Amy said.

However, the most pressing initial issue is a fawn’s intake of colostrum within 12 hours of birth. Good, diligent mamas and babies that latch on pave the way for the next steps Amy takes. After each doe fawn (and struggling buck fawn) intakes sufficient colostrum, they are pulled and moved into a fawn facility where they spend up to three weeks isolated inside a 2 x 3 feet durable polymer box complete with drainable rubber (piglet) flooring, allowing urine and droppings to fall into a black tray beneath the flooring, covered by a puppy pad. Unlike wood that may allow germs to soak in and remain active and risky, Amy knows plastic does not do that and is much easier to clean. This can ensure a healthier fawn, one that will be introduced to other healthy fawns.

Sometimes fawns may need more intensive care and if so, may spend time in a bedroom or dog crate inside the house, until they are strong and healthy enough to be in the official fawn barn. Building up their strength and immunities also involves the careful administration of vaccines, so as to not puncture their fragile skin. Next, ear tags are attached and microchips inserted. Inside each 2 x 3 fawn box Amy also places a small bowl of natural dirt to softly and safely introduce them to their eventual life outside in the deer pens, which usually occurs after week three. “Unless you have a jumper,” Amy, 46, explained. “They might need to go outside sooner.”

Amy’s bottle-feeding regimen includes a combination of goat’s milk and red cap milk, given at 6 a.m., 2 p.m. and 9 p.m. for four weeks, followed by two feedings from week five until week nine, when henceforth bottles are offered merely once a day. After 13 weeks, fawns fully transition to solid food and water. Through this micro-management system, Amy has gained a reputation as being somewhat of an expert on the process of raising healthy, calm and well-acclimated deer. Her advice has even been sought out by numerous others in the industry. “Jason and I just firmly believe in our process,” Amy said. “We feel it’s worth it in the long run and have found our deer are more ready to face whatever may come as they grow into healthy mature adults.”

Science that delivers the health & productivity you require

G FORC E™

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

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

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

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

PeaceMaker

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

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

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

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

ENTERIC HEALTH FORMULA

POWERFUL SOLUTION FOR HEALTH & PRODUCTIVITY

Helps maintain digestive health and productivity

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

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

FAWN ARRIVAL™ POWDER & PASTE

HELPS PRODUCE HEALTHY, FAST GROWING FAWNS

Helps maintain normal digestive health

Supports a healthy immune system

Feed powder for 14 days to bottle fed fawns

Paste is ideal for fawns left on does

FAWN

& DEER XTR™

ROBUST FAST RESPONSE FOR FAWNS & OLDER DEER

Innovative formula delivers max digestive support, especially in newborns

Rapidly delivers help for GI health and a functioning immune system

May also be used post-tranquilization to support healthy recovery

A sedation kit for every species or procedure.

MK2™ KIT - PROPRIETARY FORMULA

The most widely used MK™ Kit on the market today. Contains a higher concentration of medetomidine and ketamine than the original MK™ formulation which provides the ability to use less medication and a smaller dart resulting in improved accuracy when capturing.

MKB™ KIT - PROPRIETARY FORMULA

MKB2™ KIT - PROPRIETARY FORMULA

Contains higher concentrations of medetomidine, ketamine and butorphanol than the MKB™ Kit, which provides the ability to use less medication and a smaller dart, resulting in improved accuracy when capturing. It’s recommended for super exotics and large cervids that may be more difficult to sedate.

KIT - PROPRIETARY FORMULA

Developed by a zoo veterinarian to allow wildlife handlers to induce a reversible sedation, the MKB™ kit offers smooth induction with faster reversal times due to the lower concentration of ketamine. It’s recommended for sedation scenarios where the procedure being performed doesn’t require the animal to be on the ground for more than 15-20 minutes. Our MKBM™ Kit builds on our MKB™ combinations by adding midazolam to provide superior muscle relaxation and more reliable sedation. It’s recommended for the chemical immobilization of numerous large exotic hoofstock species including bongo, kudu, gazelle, eland as well as other African hoofstock and certain domestic wildlife species.

LEARN MORE

Disclaimer: The information contained in this advertisement is general in nature and is intended for use as an informational aid. It does not cover all possible uses, actions, precautions, side effects, or interactions of the medications shown, nor is the information intended as medical advice or for making an evaluation as to the risks and benefits of using a particular medication. You should consult with your veterinarian about diagnosis and treatment of any health problems. Information and statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), nor has the FDA approved the medications to diagnose, cure or prevent disease. Medications compounded by Mixlab are prepared at the direction of a veterinarian. Mixlab compounded veterinary preparations are not intended for use in food and food-producing animals. Mixlab does not recommend, endorse or make any representation about the efficacy, appropriateness or suitability of any specific dosing, products, procedures, treatments, services, opinions, veterinary care providers, or other information that may be contained in this advertisement. Mixlab is not responsible nor liable for any advice, course of treatment, diagnosis or any other information, services or products that you obtain through this advertisement.

DREAM GENOMICS

DEVELOPING CUTTING EDGE CWD DETECTION TEST

By: Gail Veley • Sponsored by the Kansas Alternative Livestock Association

Early, non-symptomatic detection of CWD in a whitetail herd could become as simple as drawing blood, thanks to a revolutionary diagnostic test currently being developed by Dream Genomics. Based out of Northbrook Illinois, Dream Genomics is a newly developed visionary biotech firm started in 2023, whose energy and efforts are fully invested in the “Discovery Phase” of developing a reliable, ultimately fool-proof and scientifically recognized CWD detection blood test. Leading the charge for Dream Genomics is Dr. Gary Pusateri, CEO and Founder, Michael Falduto, Chief Technology Officer and Founder as well as Dr. Scott Magnuson, Chief Scientific Officer and Founder.

Along with developing a reliable test, are the challenges of buying equipment to continue the research along with obtaining adequate

numbers of positive CWD samples. Dream Genomics is actively searching for sponsors and donors in the form of corporations, deer associations and private individuals to continue on this quest.

NADeFA and The Cervid Livestock Foundation (CLF) have donated substantial seed money to Dream Genomics, in an effort to keep the research ball rolling and to help purchase testing plates or “chips” as they are commonly called.

Chips, an array that looks at all the genes in a deer’s genome and measures the gene expression via profiling using RNA, fully measures a deer’s response which creates a “bio-profile” for early detection. This technology could perhaps also be used to “stage” the disease in the fact that it will be specifically used at the front end of detection, and not the back end.

Unlike old traditional testing methods which examine CWD prions in already infected organs, this new test is being designed to preemptively find CWD in a singularly fashion, before symptoms develop and before others in a herd are also affected. “Their progress is amazing,” said NADeFA President Shawn Schafer. “This could completely change everything in the industry as we know it right now. Gone may be the days of five-year quarantines or repeatedly extracted rectal samples.”

Resounding in the deer industry is the common goal to eradicate CWD and to develop a minimally invasive diagnostic test, explained Dr. Pusateri. “Once adequate project funding has been established and

enough positive samples have been acquired, Dream Genomics can move towards biological confirmation that our test is accurate,” he said. “We strongly believe that we can reach our goal of making this real and attainable.”

Anyone interested in donating towards Dream Genomics research, please contact Dr. Pusateri at his office at 847-291-9602 or his cell phone at 715-891-7878 or email him at gpusateri@dreamgx.com.

You can also check out the website at www.dreamgx.com.

THE BENEFITS OF FEEDING TREATS TO DEER

WHY, WHEN AND WHICH KINDS ARE SAFE?

By: Gail Veley • Sponsored by The Illinois Deer Farmer’s Association

Staying on top of herd health finds many deer farmers to be big proponents of feeding treats to their whitetail deer. Safe options could include animal crackers, peanuts, marshmallows, horse treats made with oats, golden oreos or other similar non-chocolate cookies. “Feeding treats helps me to get a good look at them every day,” said Chase Baker of Baker Whitetails in Junction, Illinois. “Each deer has a distinct personality and if they aren’t acting like themselves then I know something is wrong. If I can get closer to one that normally I couldn’t or pet one I normally can’t, there’s a problem. Or if one that is normally friendly and right up front is hanging out in the back, then I know I need to attend to it. There could be any number of things wrong from a soundness issue, a wound or a virus.”

Baker, who prefers to feed animal crackers and buys them in bulk, also adheres to certain safety rules while feeding treats. He only feeds bucks outside the fence and never touches them. He also never wears gloves, to allow his deer to be familiar with his scent. Baker

also recommends feeding treats during a specific time of the day, to help ensure that expectant deer will be ready, waiting and easier to find. Through Baker’s year-round routine of feeding treats, it allows him to check for ailments specific to certain times of the year such as pneumonia in the fall or EHD in the summer months. While feeding treats year-round can be ideal, in places such as New York where winters can be much colder and more brutal, Dana Hoover of Mountainside Whitetails in Penyan, New York abstains in the winter from doing so. “Starting after NADEFA when the weather turns nicer, we start feeding treats again,” Dana shared. “I like to feed peanuts for the protein aspect and that way I won’t get sticky hands like I would feeding something like diced up apples. Peanuts rattle when they hit the ground, and the deer know the sound.”

Dana and his wife Ella feed treats from early spring until early fall and revel in the time they spend in the deer pens. They have found that throughout the winter, their deer tend to get wilder due to reduced interaction. As soon as the peanuts

come out and Ella resumes her daily practice of walking though the pens, the deer calm right down (and fawns get used to seeing humans from the very onset.) “This really helps our program,” Hoover said. “We can safely watch them grow and catch stuff early on. It also gives us a head start on any potential antler infections. We’ve definitely caught most of them early on during the years.”

Medicinal benefits from other types of food such as raw pumpkin, also perceived by deer as a treat, is a natural dewormer as a result of the fiber content. In addition, acorns, watermelons, apples, alfalfa, soybeans and legumes provide vitamins, protein and energy. However, certain foods such as cucumbers, rhubarb plants, potato leaves, tomato leaves, onions, garlic, daffodils, foxgloves and poppies are either toxic, or generally unpalatable to deer, and should not be found near where they thrive. “If you have a garden, make sure it is fenced off properly and your deer are unable to get in there,” Baker said. “Regardless of whether you’re growing watermelons or tomatoes.”

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

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: aldeerassoc@gmail.com

DAY ONE FORMULA

Species - Specific for Whitetail , Mule Deer & Elk “Better Than Mother’s Milk”

FEEDING DIRECTIONS: WHITE-TAILED DEER:

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

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

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

• Fawns 2 months to weaning: Gradually decrease formula and number of feedings to approximately 15 oz. of formula once daily until fawn is fully weaned at 12 to 14 weeks of age. Provide a weaning diet and fresh clean water to the fawn.

For oral use only. These feeding directions are guidelines. As each animal is an individual, the feeding rate may be increased or decreased according to the needs of the neonate.

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

• All-Milk Protein from Premium Food-Grade Milk Ingredients

• Essential Vitamins and Complex Minerals

• Balanced Fatty Acids

• Improves Digestion

• Promotes Growth and Performance

• No Refrigeration Needed

• Easily Palatable

• 18 Month Shelf Life

• Available in 20# & 8# pails

• 24/7 Technical Advice & Support

• Formula for other Exotics and Wildlife Available

CAT’S CLAW FASTENERS

A FATHER’S INGENUITY, A DAUGHTERS VISION AND A MOTHER’S INSPIRATION

Ever built a fence to keep critters in, or critters out? Chances are, you’ve run into a dilemma that spans back to the dawn of fence building tradition The underappreciated artform of attaching wire or panel to a post. In a rocky, muddy, sloped field with only-kindacrooked-posts, it comes down to grit and sheer determination to beat a staple into submission, without pounding a finger too!

After 60 some odd years of ranching in Montana, and subsequently responsible for over 100 miles of fence, Curt Almy became increasingly disgusted with the “old fashioned” ever-rusty fence staple In 2016, Following a particularly rough day on a nasty section of fence, Curt received a bit of divine inspiration that prompted him to retreat back to the old workshop, to tinker with this new idea He declared the new product would be the antithesis of the old fashioned staples, the new claws would be simple to use, require only an impact driver instead of tangled air tools or hammers, be rust resistant, be reusable, and most importantly the new claws would be vastly stronger than the old fashioned staples

Gone would be the days of staples p out and getting stuck in a hoof or a t financial advisor by day since the 80 rancher by evening, it took Curt mon dedicated weekends to create the ul “redesigned mousetrap” of the fenci Who would know that such a simple could be so complicated?

Several iterations of what would b the “Cat’s Claw fence claw” were ma tested by local fencers. By 2018 a rus resistant, patented version of the Cat Fastener w d f k t and i 2019 the as released

Testin s and receiving th y the first steps among many, in order to successfully launch the business. Chiefly, and rather importantly, an official name was needed for the product! During deliberations with his wife Patricia, it was determined that t historic Crown W 1914 George Ranc be used as the official headquarters

Cur t Almy and Daughter

Toby-Jeanne shown at the historic 1914 Crown W Geor ge Ranch, home to the Cat’s Claw shop and many shop cats!

prototype claw

With the location d more amusing to the pa cats dominated the ran entertained the idea of area where the ranch w suggested that the prod they came up with “Ca

In 2018, the first $5 allowing the operation plague looming in the n play a major role in a d Canadian companies w bring attention to the fir posts made by Full Circ that Cat’s Claw could h gone through one of th

As video production time in 2020 approached, many warnings were issued, and borders closed a day after the Cat’s Claw crew made it home. The markets were turbulent, and the future of Cat’s Claw was also in question Would a small Mom & Pop operation make it through such a worldwide disruption?

1/4 magnetic hex driver is included in ever y bottle

Softwood claws 2” screw stays secure even in a rotten post

p j , g g j y to the Cat’s Claw crew If you have ever used a Cat’s Claw Fastener, the crew would love to hear from you! You can reach out at info .com, or write to:

Surprisingly, the answer was emphatically, “yes.” While many businesses saw stagnation, the topic of modern homesteading became increasingly popular. Seeing an opportunity, (Daughter) Toby-Jeanne began advertising to homesteaders and buffalo fencing operations, which in turn lead to connections within Zoos and even the Cervid community.

Cat’s Claw Fasteners 28 N. Montana Miles City, M T 59301

Who knows, your story could be featured next!

Curious to try them for yourself? Head on over to www.catsclawfasteners.com and enter code: CERVID2025 for free shipping until August 31st, or give them a call at 406 851 CLAW(2529)

Mountain lion testing out the fence claws:

Courtesy of Twin Pine farm & exotics in South Carolina

Mascot Ronnie the Tiger Cat assists in reading incoming fan mail!

Word Search

SUDOKU

The rules for sudoku are simple:

A 9x9 square must be filled in with numbers from 1-9 with no repeated numbers in each line, horizontally or vertically.

To challenge you more, there are 3x3 squares marked out in the grid, and each of these squares can’t have any repeat numbers either.

Thunderstorm

Sunscreen

Fishing

Beach

Breezy

Backpacking

Mountains

Bonfire

Muggy

Last Issues Puzzle ~ Answer Keys ~

Adventure

Hazy

Last Issues Puzzle ~ Answer Keys ~

ACT PROMPTLY TO TREAT DAMAGED OR INFECTED ANTLERS

By: Gail Veley • Sponsored by KALA

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

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

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

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

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

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

Blosser uses this type of feeder on his deer farm

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

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

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

Feed Enhanced for Premium Performance

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17 State Associations - Approx. 2500 readers

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Trophy Breeder Bucks Showcase Book 2025 Application

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All advertisers that are published in our 2025 state associations magazines will have the opportunity to place a single Buck update photo in this September Showcase Book.

Reservation for space and buck info will be due no later than August 12th, 2025. If you have an existing picture ready to go, that will also be due at that time. If you would like to send in a last minute photo of your buck, the cutoff date is September 1st by 8am CST. Placement will be in order of first come first serve. Printing and mailing will start September 4th and be in hand between September 16th-20th. Just in time for semen sales getting ready for Breeding Season. These will be mailed to Breeders and Ranch members of the 18 state associations we service.

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

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