Southeast Tines Spring 2023

PRESIDENT

James “Smitty” Smith

Gum Creek Hunting Preserve 813-714-5045

Jsmith@crossenv.com

www.GumCreekHuntingPreserve.com

VICE PRESIDENT

Dr. Bill Leffler

2 Base Down Farms 2751 SE CR 343

Morriston, FL 32668

561-373-2353

Bleffler2011@gmail.com

Twobasedownfarms@yahoo.com

TREASURER

Dr. Juan Campos College of Veterinary Medicine

Dept. of Large Animal Clinical Sciences University of Florida

108 Deriso Hall, Gainesville, FL 32610 352-363-0703 / jmcampos@ufl.edu

FELLOW DEER

FARMERS PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

- JAMES “SMITTY” SMITH

Happy Spring Fling to all of the greatest people that we have the opportunity to be around and associate with, AKA “friends”.

The Spring Fling is upon us and we at the board have been working to provide a bigger and better event this year. We have added some different vendors and we think our speakers will also add new information for all.

We would like to invite everyone for this year’s event and hope it is bigger and better.

DIRECTORS

Benny Wilkison

Lil Oak Whitetails 3193 NW 216th St Lawtey, Fl 904-424-7233

liloakwhitetails@yahoo.com

Mike Hunter

MS Hunter Farm 8479 Puckett Rd Perry, FL 32348 850-843-0881

Mike.Hunter@etranscarriers.com

Louis Scott

Scott’s Game Farm 96769 O’Neil Scott Road

Fernandina Beach, FL 32097 904-557-8940, 904-753-4091

Spring Fling 2022

In other news, since I am in the animal industry I have seen where our governmental folks are checking on licenses a lot harder now. All live animal auctions have multiple agencies there now. It is a good time to check and make sure you have the right license for the right animal. They don’t cost much but better be safe than sorry.

Once again I look forward to seeing everyone in April, until then be “Florida Strong.”

James “Smitty” Smith

Spring Fling

Auction & Expo Agenda

Friday, April 21

Booth Set Up: 8:00 – 12:00 PM

12:00 PM

5:00 PM

Doors Open for first day of the Spring Fling Meet & Greet, Speakers, and Raffles

Complementary Reception Dinner & Cash Bar

Saturday, April 22

Exhibit Hall Opens: 8:00 AM

Silent Auction: 8:00 AM – 1PM

Seminars: 9:00 AM – 11:45 AM

UF CHeRI, Juan Campos and Medgene, Ashley Petersen

The State of Hemorrhagic Disease Vaccine in Florida

Mark Neely, Trapper in Central Florida

Discuss trapping predators & pests impacting deer farms

Lunch Breaks: 12:00 to 1:00 PM

Announcement Silent Auction Closes at 1 PM

Announcement from the President followed by Prayer DOOR PRIZE ANNOUNCEMENTS THROUGHOUT LUNCH

Guest Speakers: 1:00 to 2:00 PM

ANTLER COMPETITION Winners Announced

Live Auction Begins: 2:00 pm & Cash Bar

Raffle ticket winners announced during auction

Featured Farm Story

2 BASE DOWN FARMS

Morriston, FL 32668

561-373-2353 Dr Bill Leffler

1. HOW DID YOU LEARN ABOUT DEER FARMING?

One of my patients had a deer farm and after visiting their farm with my family and seeing bottle fed deer, we realized that this was something we could actually do. We visited many other deer farms which were all very different and discovered that land size was not the critical factor but a passion for their deer.

2. WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO START A DEER FARM?

I had no intentions in high fencing our rural 106-acre farm which we shared with abundant wildlife. We cherished seeing them every day. Unfortunately, others did not respect us, our property, or the animals that also called it home. So we high fenced it to stop them from running dogs across it and to protect what lived on it and the deer that we would now grow . The native Florida genetics would not satisfy our newly found passion.

3. HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN DEER FARMING?

Our first deer were delivered in the fall of 2017.

4. HOW MANY DEER DID YOU START WITH?

The number might frighten or shock some, but my family and I were 100% committed, deer were about to become a big part of our lives. Into the 1st pen went 5 does and 1 breeder buck, the 2nd pen got another 5 does and 1 breeder buck, the 3rd pen got 3 bred does from 2 totally different breeder bucks, and a few months later 8 yearling does went into a 4th pen. The total was 23 from 3 different farms.

5. DO YOU AI OR LIVE BREED? IF YOU AI, DO YOU USE VAGINAL OR LAP PROCEDURE?

After the purchase of a 3rd breeder buck, we were able to live cover for the initial three years and began Lap AI thereafter.

6. DO YOU BOTTLE FEED YOUR FAWNS?

By the 2nd year we were pulling fawns from select breeding to bottle feed, as well as any fawns injured within 3 days after birth. We also will pull the smallest fawn from any doe that has more than twins to ease the burden and stress on the mother and increase fawn survivability.

7. WHAT FEED DO YOU USE?

We began with Heartland but changed due to delivery problems due to our rural location. I now use a generic feed which we top dress both daily and seasonally as our deer’s needs also change. Each pen has Tifton 85 Bermuda grass growing which our deer love. We give them perineal peanut hay often. Daily treats of either corn, grapes, carrots, sweet potatoes, watermelon, peanuts, apples, and apple flavored horse cookies. There is plenty of brows from oak trees and Spanish moss in most pens as well.

8. WHAT IS THE MOST ENJOYABLE PART OF RAISING DEER?

The daily interactions with our deer, many act like puppies and prefer people time to treats. I can’t imagine life without fawns in the house getting into everything, they know who momma is….. JUSTIN (my son). The excitement and planning that goes into breeding and finally seeing how our bucks grow out can make you giddy and jump for joy.

9. HOW HAS THE ASSOCIATION HELPED YOU AND YOUR FARM?

The Southeast Trophy Deer Association is a vital aspect and integral part of our success. From the ability to get the most current information and education from the experts at CHeRI for the welfare of our deer, to meeting many other deer farmers and making friends who gladly share tips and attending the Spring Fling Auctions where we have acquired so many items for our farm including semen to further enhance and outcross our genetic lines.

SETDA MEMBERS BUSINESS CARD SPREAD

Attention Members;

Welcome to our SeTDA members Business card spread.

This is not just FREE advertising but a way members, both old and new, can reach out to each other for your services or to buy and sell deer.

Again, if interested in getting into future business card spreads, send your Farm or Business Cards to; info@southeasttrophydeerassociation.com.

The SeTDA wants to hear from you and show new and established deer farms and preserves who you are and where in Florida you are located. We look forward to hearing from you and creating a great advertising spread for our members!

Thank You, SeTDA BOD’s

CAPTURE MYOPATHY IN FARMED

WHITE-TAILED DEER

Juan M. Campos Krauer DVM, PhD.

1Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA

2Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA

White-tailed Deer farming is a growing industry in rural North America. There are over 400 deer farms and preserves in the state of Florida. Deer farming encompasses housing, handling, and moving deer to new pens, preserves, or transporting to new farms. Regardless of the management strategy or technique used, capturing, handling, and transporting will significantly stress the animal. This stress may not be apparent in observable behavior, but it can cause a complex degenerative disease of the skeletal muscle known by many names, and referred to here as capture myopathy (CM). this condition can occur not only in white-tailed deer but also in ungulates and some species of birds, reptiles, and fish.

Capture myopathy is a noninfectious, metabolic disease of wild and domestic animals that can lead to significant morbidity and mortality, generally directly associated with the stress of capture, restraint, and transportation. In ungulates (hoofed animals), the syndrome is characterized clinically by depression, muscular stiffness, lack of coordination, paralysis, metabolic acidosis, and death. Pathologically, capture myopathy resembles the myodegenerative disorders of domestic cattle, sheep, horses, and swine.

One of the earliest reports of lesions consistent with CM was reported in a white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus ) in 1955. Later, CM became widely recognized in Africa in the late 1960s and early 1970s when many rare animals died during or soon after capture. Subsequently, it was described once more in whitetailed deer and many other North American species, such as black-

tailed deer (Odocoileus hemionus columbianus), in Moose (Alces alces), Pronghorn antelope (Antilocapra americana), Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis) and elk (Cervus elaphus).

HOW DOES IT OCCUR? WHAT CAUSES CAPTURE MYOPATHY?

One of the most common causes of this disease is muscular exhaustion. Prolonged muscular exertion changes the metabolism from aerobic (uses oxygen) to anaerobic (uses stored energy in the muscles without oxygen). This change in metabolism leads to the production and buildup of lactic acid, causing acidosis. Lactic acid flows in the bloodstream and drops the pH in the body affecting heart muscle output which decreases the efficiency of blood flow. If the heart does not pump sufficient oxygen to the muscles, they will start to die. When the muscle dies over several days, it releases a product called myoglobin (a breakdown product of muscle) that flows to the bloodstream. Excessive myoglobin damages the excretion portion of the kidney, producing kidney failure and ultimately death of the animal. Other organs are affected as well. Lungs become congested and bleed. The liver can become swollen and pale. If any of these organs fail, the animal dies. In severe cases, death may occur in only a few hours. In less severe cases, animals may have damage to skeletal muscle and internal organs and may finally succumb to the disease days or weeks later due to kidney failure.

Young or old animals as well as those that are in poor physical condition or overweight are more prone to develop capture myopathy than healthy adult animals. Similarly, pre-existing diseases, infections, and

severe parasitosis can predispose animals to capture myopathy. Additionally, female animals in their final trimester of gestation may also be at greater risk of developing capture myopathy.

CLINICAL SIGNS

Signs to be aware of:

• Depression

• Debilitation

• Lethargy

• Muscle stiffness

• Tremors

• Ataxia (lack of muscle control or coordination of voluntary movements)

• Firm stepping (muscle tremor is evident in muscles of back and legs that progress to muscle rigor, and the animal is reluctant to move)

• Tachycardia (heart beats faster than normal while at rest)

• Open-mouth breathing

• Hyperthermia (elevated body temperature)

• Red-brown urine

• Unresponsiveness to human presence

HOW TO MINIMIZE THE RISK OF CAPTURE MYOPATHY?

• Plan the work and have all the necessary equipment, tools, and staff to reduce the animal handling time.

• Always work during the coldest hours of the day (early morning) or on days when the ambient temperature is lower.

• It is always better to trap animals rather than chase them. If animals have to be pursued, never do it for prolonged periods.

• Once the animal is immobilized, blindfold and reduce noise to the minimum.

• During anesthesia or when recovering, ensure the animal is in a position where it can breathe easily, and never place the mouth or nose close to objects that can block airflow. Consider the use of oxygen if the animal is not breathing well.

• Consider using oximeters (an instrument for measuring oxygen saturation of the circulating blood). Currently, oximeters are widely available and can help take action if low blood oxygenation is detected.

• Always check the animal’s temperature. Use good ventilation and damp cloths if required. Overheating can have deadly consequences.

• If it is transported, use trailers designed for deer, always supervising the temperature inside the trailer.

• Vitamin complex of selenium and Vitamin E is suggested as a prophylaxis (prevention) or treatment for CM. However, the efficacy of these supplements is contentious.

• Preferably, all animal work should be done by or under the supervision of a veterinarian.

HOW IS CAPTURE MYOPATHY TREATED?

Capture myopathy is very difficult to treat, so prevention is critical. Treatment consists of removing animals from the stress, administering intravenous (IV) tranquilizers and fluid therapy to correct acidosis. Surface cooling and oxygen supplementation are recommended. Treatment should always be done by or under the supervision of a veterinarian.

HOW CAN YOU KNOW IF YOUR DEER DIED FROM CAPTURE MYOPATHY?

On occasions, animals that die due to capture myopathy can have areas of pale skeletal muscles on the heart or thigh muscular mass and dark brown, turbid urine suggestive of myoglobinuria. However, without a detailed animal history, a complete necropsy, and specific histopathologic testing, it can be challenging to clearly identify CM as the cause of death.

DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSES

Conditions that could resemble or share similar signs or symptoms to CM in wildlife may include whitemuscle disease (named because of its characteristic pail coloration of the muscle, caused by selenium deficiency in areas where the mineral is scarce in the soil), Some plant toxicities such as Cassia occidentalis, Cassia obtusifolia, can also resemble CM as well as, early tetanus, hypocalcemia (low calcium levels in the blood), and myositis (a disease that makes the immune system attack the muscles). These are some examples. Conclusive diagnosis of CM depends on history, clinical signs, clinical pathology, and gross and microscopic pathology.

CONCLUSION

Capture myopathy is a condition that can cause the death of many species, including white-tailed deer. Despite being frequently reported by veterinarians, the condition is still poorly understood. It is characterized by severe direct or indirect muscle injury, kidney failure, and elevated body temperatures. Currently, there is no cure for capture myopathy. At present, preventing the condition is the best approach. Deer capturing and immobilization events should be carefully planned, taking all possible preventive measures to reduce the risk to the minimum.

REFERENCES

Abbott CW, Dabbert CB, Lucia DR, et al. 2005. Does muscular damage during capture and handling handicap radiomarked northern bobwhites? The Journal of Wildlife Management 69: 664– 670.

Amy C. Dechen Quinn; David M. Williams; William F. Porter; Scott D. Fitzgerald; Kevin Hynes. (2014). Effects of Capture-Related Injury on Postcapture Movement of White-Tailed Deer. J Wildl Dis (2014) 50 (2): 250–258.

Antognini, Joseph F., Eisele, Pamela H., and Gronert, Gerald A. (1996). Evaluation for Malignant Hyperthermia Susceptibility in Black-tailed Deer. Journal of Wildlife Diseases, 32(4) : 678-681. URL: https://doi. org/10.7589/0090-3558-32.4.678

Beringer, J. et al (1996): Factors affecting Capture myopathy in White tailed deer. Journal of Wild life Management 60(2):373-380 https://doi. org/10.2307/3802238

Breed D, Meyer LCR, Steyl JCA, Goddard A, Burroughs R, Kohn TA. (2019). Conserving wildlife in a changing world: Understanding capture myopathy-a malignant outcome of stress during capture and translocation. Conserv Physiol. 5;7(1):coz027. doi: 10.1093/conphys/ coz027. PMID: 31304016; PMCID: PMC6612673.

Businga NK, Langenberg J, Carlson L (2007) Successful treatment of capture myopathy in three wild greater Sandhill cranes (Grus canadensis tabida). J Avian Med Surg 21: 294–298.

Chalmers GA, Barrett MW. 1977. Capture myopathy in pronghorns in Alberta, Canada. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 171:918– 923.

Chalmers, G. A. and M. W. Barrett. 1982. Capture myopathy. Pages 84–94 in Noninfectious diseases of wildlife, G. L. Hoff and J. W. Davis, editors. Iowa State University Press, Ames.

Clarence M. Fraser (1991). The Merck Veterinary Manual. Merck & Co. Inc. U.S.A.

Dorothy Breed, Leith C R Meyer, Johan C A Steyl, Amelia Goddard, Richard Burroughs, Tertius A Kohn. (2020). Conserving wildlife in a changing world: Understanding capture myopathy—a malignant outcome of stress during capture and translocation. Conservation Physiology, Volume 7, Issue 1, coz027, https://doi.org/10.1093/ conphys/coz027

Hadlow WJ. 1955. Degenerative myopathy in a white-tailed deer, Odocoileus virginianus . The Cornell Veterinarian 45:538– 547.

Haigh JC, Stewart RR, Wobeser G, et al. 1977. Capture myopathy in a moose. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 171:924– 926.

Hamidieh, H., Alhami, A., and Mirian, J. (2011): Capture myopathy in red deer and wild goat. Archives of Razi Institute, Vol. 66, No. 2, 147-149

Harthoorn AM, Young E. 1974. A relationship between acid-base balance and capture myopathy in zebra, Equus burchelli , and an apparent therapy. The Veterinary Record 95:337– 342.

Harthoorn AM. 1973. Physiology and therapy of capture myopathy, 2nd annual report. Pretoria, South Africa: Transvaal Nature Conservation Division, Pretoria.

Herráez P, Espinosa de los Monteros A, Fernández A, Edwards JF, Sacchini S, Sierra E (2013) Capture myopathy in live-stranded cetaceans. Vet J 196: 181–188.

Jarrett WFH, Jennings FW, Murray M, et al. 1964. Muscular dystrophy in a wild Hunter’s antelope. East African Wildlife Journal 2:158– 159.

La Grange M, Van Rooyen J, Ebedes H (2010) Capture myopathy In Bothma J d P, Du Toit J, eds, Game Ranch Management, Ed5th Van Schaik Publishers, Pretoria, pp. 556–565

Lewis RJ, Chalmers GA, Barrett MW, et al. 1977. Capture myopathy in Elk in Alberta, Canada: a report of three cases. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 171:927– 932.

Montane, J., I. Marco, X. Manteca, J. Lopez and S. Lavin, 2002: Delayed Acute Capture Myopathy in Three Roe Deer. J. Vet. Med. A 49, 93–98 ISSN 0931–184X

Nielsen, L., 1999: Postcapture management. In: Nielsen, L. (ed.), Chemical Immobilization of Wild and Exotic Animals, 1st edn, pp. 161–187. Iowa State University Press, Ames.

Spraker TR. 1993. Stress and capture myopathy in artiodactyls. In: Zoo and Wild Animal Medicine, Current Therapy , 3rd ed. (ME Fowler, ed.), pp. 481– 488.

Zoo Animal and Wildlife Immobilization and Anesthesia, edited by Gary West, et al., John Wiley & Sons, Incorporated, 2014. ProQuest Ebook Central, http://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/ufl/detail. action?docID=1747517.

Meet the Team

Meet Our Customer Care Representative ~ Samantha (Sam) Uchytil

By: Gail Veley

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Give Sam a call or email her:

deerassociations@gmail.com

320-905-2622

“Mocha”

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INCREASING FAWN SUCCESS ADVICE FROM EXPERIENCED EXPERTS

By: Gail Veley • Sponsored by WOO

Jodi Ezell quietly pauses outside one of her deer pens in the spring twilight, watching and waiting for signs of does ready to deliver fawns. A few does have already started pacing and instinctively creating a safe haven by chasing off other does. However, Ezell is looking for one specific thing as she shares the cool evening with the herd she and her husband Chris raise at Dangerous Whitetails of Oklahoma in Adair, Oklahoma. She is looking for any does with tails lifted and actively pushing, as this starts the countdown for safe fawn arrival. “I give them about an hour of active pushing,” Ezell explained. “If nothing has happened by then, I go in to assist.” Assisting means reaching deep inside the womb, feeling for fawns and helping to pull them out. While an inevitable set of twins is usually the norm, a doe’s history may point to the potential for triplets or quads or perhaps the rare arrival of quintuplets and the necessity to not stop investigating after two.

As these delicate lives receive their first breath of earthly air, Jodi and Chris, who have been through at least 12 fawning seasons, are already taking stock of each fawn and keeping a watchful eye. After 12 hours next to their mother’s

side to ensure colostrum intake, each fawn has hair pulled for a DNA sample, is tagged and given medication. Afterwards, doe fawns and struggling buck fawns are brought inside the Ezell’s bedroom, placed in baby pens and given additional goat colostrum. They will spend the next week receiving a bottle three times a day before being moved to the farm’s fawning facility. Once there, they are introduced to grain as a supplement to their regular schedule of pasteurized goat’s milk, although other farms may opt to bottle feed formula instead. “Around week three we start to feel like their survival rate is more guaranteed,” Ezell said. “By watching them this close for the first three weeks, we are eliminating some of the potential for Mother Nature to do them harm.” This could include the development of scours or even the failure early on to intake enough colostrum to ensure survival.

While fawn arrival may be one of the most rewarding times of the year for deer farmers, it can also be a time when farmers collectively hold their breath as they work to safeguard their health and survival. Although born precocial and able to ambulate practically from the moment they arrive, fawns can also be extremely fragile and may require dedicated care in order to grow into thriving and healthy adult deer.

In addition to proactive fawn care from the moment they arrive, ensuring fawns get the best head start begins with the care of the expecting doe, explains Matt Owens, owner of After Shock deer supplements and Rack Star Whitetails in Sullivan, Missouri. After having been through nine fawning seasons on his farm, his first preparations involve vaccinating all expectant does on March 15th for pneumonia, fusobacterium and clostridium C and D, common cervid

diseases known to cause herd and fawn mortality. A booster shot given on April 5th for each is another safeguard to increase doe antibody levels and allow for the passive transfer of antibodies from mother to baby, he emphasized. “The most important part of preparing for healthy fawns is to have a proven vaccine program and proven feed program for your expectant does,” Owens emphasized. While these measures certainly point to an increase in fawning success “some fawns are still born sick,” Owens said. “Another measure to decrease these odds is to make sure pregnant does also have a good vitamin and mineral program. When you do, fawns are generally born bigger and healthier. Fawns are born with no immune system and not until the 90-day mark do they really develop one. They need all the protection you can give them, including vaccines, until that 90-day mark.”

ANTLER REPLICATION TECHNIQUES WHICH ONE IS RIGHT FOR YOU?

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

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

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

Traditional replication methods:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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YOUTH HUNTING FUELING PASSION FOR THE OUTDOORS

By: Gail Veley • Sponsored by PDFA

owner of Custom Pro Friction Calls and the man who taught Glenn to turkey hunt. After hearing about Archer’s first hunt, he surprised Glenn with a picture of Archer holding his first turkey, along with a personal inscription for Archer. In sharing a love of the outdoors with Archer and his other young son Lincoln, 9, Glenn, 53, feels “it’s paramount to appreciate nature and spend time with them outside. There’s not a better morning than being out in the woods. It’s my favorite time of day.”

This enables us to enjoy year-round family-centered outdoor activities and to also be deer enthusiasts,” he said. “This involves working together as associations and staying abreast of current regulations and any proposed changes that affect us and standing up for our rights and practices of land ownership, management and stewardship.”

“Now whatever you do, don’t blow up Dad’s new decoy,” Glenn Dice affectionately told his young son Archer as they called in turkeys and waited during a spring 2021 hunt in their home state of Pennsylvania. When a big curious, striking gobbler checked out the decoy then stepped a few feet away, Archer, then 10, took his first shot ever as a hunter. Bingo. The victorious turkey hunt was followed by one in Florida this past spring and yet one more a month later back in Pennsylvania with another father and son. As the four eagerly waited in the cool predawn, competitive gobblers soon came running in, yet Archer appeared to hesitate. “Why aren’t you taking a shot?” Glenn whispered. “I don’t want to shoot your decoy,” Archer replied. Glenn quickly responded, “I don’t care about the decoy just shoot the darn turkey!” And with that, Archer’s aim was triumphant. He was the only one in the group to harvest anything that day.

The three bullet shells responsible for harvesting those three turkeys, each inscribed with Archer’s name, are kept on Glenn’s desk. He’s not only thrilled that his son shares one of his favorite pastimes, he’s also proud of his love of nature and the outdoors. Sharing that pride along with Glenn is Jeff Graham,

Nationally, hunting is a multi-milliondollar industry responsible for substantial annual revenue. In 2021, revenue from hunting licenses was reported at $902,356,898, a $3 million increase from 2020. The top six states for issuing hunting licenses are typically Colorado at approximately $59 million followed by Texas at $47 million, Wisconsin at $41 million, Minnesota at $39 million, Pennsylvania at $37 million and Michigan also at $37 million. Even the tiny state of Rhode Island registered 26,690 hunters in 2021.

The most popular and number one animal to hunt is a whitetail deer followed by turkeys, elk and bear. While the interest in hunting is showing no signs of slowing down, without youth remaining interested in nature, hunting and the outdoors, subsequent decades may tell a different story. Vigilant deer farmers and preserve owners in Pennsylvania and in other states have a responsibility to ensure future generations embrace this same love, Glenn emphasized. “Being involved allows you to share your passion for the outdoors as well as collaborate on regulation development.

While Archer is poised to perpetuate this philosophy, he has yet to hunt whitetail, partially due to the fact that they are raised on the family farm, Glenn Dice Farms in Chambersburg. However, he has expressed an interest in trying. After they explore whitetail hunting sometime in the near future in Pennsylvania, Glenn and Archer may plan a Utah vacation to hunt mule deer. In the meantime, Glenn is working steadfast to maintain a constant presence in Washington on behalf of deer farmers, and to give back to an industry that has been so good to him and his family.

Glenn and Archer Dice

(Donated by Prime Acres Whitetails. Drawing will be April 23, 2023)

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*** These states allow anyone that lives in their state and not raising deer but have interest to supporting the industry to be at the Associate Membership Level. This level is a non-voting level.

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GRAND PRIZE DRAWING WILL BE HELD AT THE SPRING FLING IN FLORIDA ON APRIL 22ND

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.

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• No Refrigeration Needed

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• 18 Month Shelf Life

• Available in 20# & 8# pails

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