Michigan Fall 2022

Next Level Whitetails

Cover, Back Cov., 3

Pine Creek Deer Farm

............................Inside Spread, 38

Pneu-Dart 36

Prime Acres Whitetails

Rocky Ridge Whitetails

State Line Cryogenics ... In. F. Cov.

Sunrise Supply, LLC

Thompson Trophy Whitetails

Thunder Bay Whitetails 39

Trophy Whitetails

Whetstone Brothers

Whitetail Syndications

Whitetails

15, 27

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

RYAN HALFMAN

Hello fellow members, In the blink of an eye, summer is gone and it seems we skipped right to winter. The days are getting shorter, but it seems there’s plenty to try and squeeze in to each day. On our farm we have been busy sorting deer, TB testing, and preparing for breeding. It can feel like a lot to take on while simultaneously prepping our construction projects for the winter. At the end of the day, I deliberately take time to reflect on the blessings of these responsibilities. I find it’s the best way to keep a positive perspective of the chaos of the fall.

Currently the association is in the process of updating the Economic Impact Study for the Deer Farming Industry in Michigan. You all should have received a couple emails with a link to the survey. This study is a priceless tool that the Association uses to legitimize our industry in Lansing. It is a powerful tool to use to educate legislators and the public alike of what our industry encompasses with revenue and employment.

To date, very few surveys have been submitted. I urge every one of you (Michigan Members Only) to take the time to complete the survey and submit it. This includes Ranches, Breeders, Exhibition, and Hobby farms. The benefits we all receive from the leveraging of this study are enough to validate your time to fill it out. The more participants we have in this study, which can be done anonymously, the more accurately we can create a tool to be used to benefit us all.

From what I have seen and heard so far; the Michigan ranches are having a record year. Knowing that many are booking up for next year, I am feeling very positive about the direction of deer farming in Michigan. In fact, it sounds like we need to find a way to raise more bucks!

The Board has started to planning for the 2023 convention. The dates are March 3rd and 4th at Soaring Eagle Casino in the same room as last year. Be sure to block that out on your calendar! As we are preparing for this upcoming convention, please take a minute and consider a donation or sponsorship towards the event. Please email any donation information to one of the Board Members if you have them.

Sincerely, Ryan Halfman UDFoM President

breeding operation

Industry has been focused on Non-Typicals for years and it’s slowly transitioning back to Typicals. next level whitetails is already there!

Breeding with maternal anchor does and offspring: Patrick, Heather, Blue 37, Matilda, Sonia, Sofie and many more just to name a few. We offer AI and embryo production with industry leading bucks and does. Visit nextlevelwhitetails.com or call us at (229) 805-0390 for more information.

Our lodging offers southern hospitality and a family feel with first-class meals, accommodations and guides.

Fallow Hall Farm

Located near Port Huron in St. Clair County, Michigan. Consists of a 2,800++ sq ft brick (3-4 bed, 2¾-3½ baths). On nearly 40 acres, with livestock, handling facility, 3 storage buildings, customers, suppliers, consulting, and all the equipment necessary to assume a turn-key deer farming business.

RED RIDGE WHITETAILS AND CERVID SOLUTIONS

STRIVING TO REPRESENT THE DEER INDUSTRY IN A POSITIVE LIGHT

By: Gail Veley

Red Ridge Whitetails is more to Operations Manager Josh Newton than just a place to raise and sell deer. At the end of the day, the farm is a representation of all that is good about the deer industry. From the development, breeding and raising of quality seed stock for hunting ranches, to the practice of superior animal husbandry to the promotion of private land management and conservation, Newton’s goal is to help the industry as a whole to thrive and prosper. And he wants the governing bodies in his state, as well as in other states, to know how diligently deer farmers work to improve the health and vitality of whitetails in many facets including the potential eradication of CWD.

Yet, there are moments when Newton relaxes, however brief and cherished those moments might be on the peaceful and lush 10-acre farm in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. Then, he just simply enjoys his deer and his role as a father to his young daughters

Lena, 5, and Gianna, 2. Watching them interact with fawns alongside his wife Lisa, 37, reminds him of how it all started. For this, Newton is grateful for the other lessons offered through deer farming. “The real lesson is the life itself,” Newton, 41, shared. “And whether we like it or not the reality is that life does exist and (the deer) depend on you. Sadly, some do die. But these experiences create a normal traditional value mindset and animals are a great conduit for that.”

Creating the desire to raise deer started in 1999 when Josh was 17 and visited his uncle’s deer farm for the first time. Within moments of being there, what stirred in his soul was something he couldn’t ignore. He bought his first deer and never looked back. Through working on the farm and learning a vast majority of relevant management skills, he eventually became the operations manager of Red Ridge Whitetails in 2006 after a fateful encounter and subsequent three-hour conversation with the owner. Today, Newton might be considered a walking encyclopedia or a beacon of information on whatever subject pertaining to whitetails you want to discuss. His never-ending drive to represent the industry and continually learn also extends to his role as President of the Pennsylvania Deer Farmer’s Association.

His education didn’t always come easily or happen overnight. It evolved after Newton’s worst and ultimately best experience at Red Ridge Whitetails. After the heartbreak and exasperation of watching close to 20 fawns die within

three weeks in 2008, Newton vowed “never again.” Through his grief and resolve, Cervid Solutions, a company dedicated to providing cervid specific vaccines as well as health management protocols, was founded and today ensures that all deer at Red Ridge (and other farms) live the healthiest lives possible. By using Cervid Solutions as the foundation for putting prevention through herd health at the forefront of the farm’s daily operations, and limiting the number of deer per acre, Red Ridge stays poised to continue setting a good example to others.

They are proud to raise typical deer from the likes of Roman, Rango, Legion, Big Fuzz, Two Big and Artisan among several more. Providing preserves and ranches with big-bodied, hearty, classic, genetically viable typical stocker bucks remains a steadfast goal. Their herd, numbering close to 50, are all DNA certified and registered and also GEBV tested for CWD susceptibility.

“The whitetail industry for me always has been, and will continue to be, my labor of love,” Newton said. “Through Cervid Solutions, I can always provide the best health tools for Red Ridge Whitetails and for a multitude of other like-minded deer farmers.”

Roman- sheds (200 inch 4x4)

Lena and Gianna

North American Deer Registry Office 1601 Medical Center Drive, Suite 1 Edmond, Oklahoma 73034 Phone Number:405-513-7228 www.deerregistry.com

Since the new CWD Susceptibility test had been validated and released last August, we continue to see interest in how this test works as well as how will it help your breeding programs.

CWD Susceptibility Test Update

more information to help you understand and interpret the results.

CWD Susceptibility Test Update

Since the new CWD Susceptibility test had been validated and released last August, we continue to see interest in how this test works as well as how will it help your breeding programs.

Once we receive results back from the lab, you will receive an email with an excel spreadsheet with each animal receiving a score. We have seen scores ranging from .400000 to -.489000. The higher the negative number, the least susceptible the animal becomes to CWD. It is important to note that this is not a test for resistance but a test to genetically determine animals that are least susceptible to CWD. This test will allow selective breeding based on a genome-wide approach and not based on single gene information to decrease CWD susceptibility.

Once we receive results back from the lab, you will receive an email with an excel spreadsheet with each animal receiving a score. We have seen scores ranging from .400000 to .489000. The higher the negative number, the least susceptible the animal becomes to CWD It is important to note that this is not a test for resistance but a test to genetically determine animals that are least susceptible to CWD This test will allow selective breeding based on a genome wide approach and not based on single gene information to decrease CWD susceptibility.

We have also received inquiries regarding the CWD data and whether it is made available to the public. The simple answer is no. It is important to know that unlike Pedigrees, your CWD Test information will not be available online and will remain confidential to you. It will not be shared with anyone unless you decide to share it yourself. Even for those of you working with your State Department of Agriculture, they will not receive your animal or farm information. They only receive an overview as to what the scores have been without seeing any animal or farm information.

For the CWD Susceptibility test, turnaround time will be 4 to 5 weeks assuming there are no complications or delays by the laboratory. I also understand that many of you will have questions and need clarification on the results Our team will be available to answer any questions you have In addition, you should receive FAQs with your results that will give you more information to help you understand and interpret the results.

For the CWD Susceptibility test, turnaround time will be 4 to 5 weeks assuming there are no complications or delays by the laboratory. I also understand that many of you will have questions and need clarification on the results. Our team will be available to answer any questions you have. In addition, you should receive FAQs with your results that will give you

We will communicate with you as we progress and will continue our efforts to use technology to make improvements for the deer industry.

Thanks,

We have also received inquiries regarding the CWD data and whether it is made available to the public. The simple answer is no. It is important to know that unlike Pedigrees, your CWD Test information will not be available online and will remain confidential to you. It will not be shared with anyone unless you decide to share it yourself. Even for those of you working with your State Department of Agriculture, they will not receive your animal or farm information They only receive an overview as to what the scores have been without seeing any animal or farm information. We will communicate

Gary Cook, Executive Director North American Deer Registry

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 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.

Blosser uses this type of feeder on his deer farm

FEATURE STORY EC WHITETAIL RANCH –FOCUSED ON UNFORGETTABLE HUNTING EXPERIENCES

By: Gail Veley

the ranch. The ranch herd, which numbers close to 200 today, started after acquiring eight does and two bucks from Sheri Witte at Nature’s Best Whitetails. Adding to their herd they then bought three does from Chris and Gina Hayes at Storm’s End Whitetails and have also borrowed a breeder buck from them for the past four years. In addition, they have used a piebald breeding buck from Craig and Karen Frye to diversify their genetics.

Cory Goings heart pounds just as hard as that of his ranch guests when they’ve spotted their target. Zeroing in and taking a shot, a big “frame-y” typical buck becomes the prize to yet another successful hunter at EC Whitetail Ranch in White Cloud, Michigan. Since 2017, the 160-acre ranch nestled among mature trees and pristine northern Michigan landscape, has provided cherished hunts to families and youth.

“I think the biggest thing is that we provide a true family experience and make you feel like your adventure is the only one that matters,” said Ranch Manager Cory Goings. “We also film all the hunts complimentary. One of my favorite things is editing and finishing the video and creating a lasting connection between us and our guest.”

Finding a way to make a living doing what he loves the most, was inspired by his father Ed Goings, a lifelong hunting enthusiast who had a dream of starting a preserve. The moment he shared his vision with Cory, then 23, and offered him a chance to manage the business, “I wanted to say yes so badly,” recalled Cory, who was working full-time as a paramedic. “I also wanted my wife’s blessing. We were living in Pratt, Kansas at the time and she had strong roots in Kansas. But she knew it was something I wanted really badly.” A year later Cory and Cassi moved to Michigan. As a result of being a paramedic, Cory feels it has made him a better caretaker for their deer.

While the ranch strives to provide unforgettable hunts, they also strive to produce big, balanced, typical deer they raise within

Having a wide variety of deer, a roomy four-bedroom guest cabin, quality cooking along with a pole barn complete with a lounge and pool table ensures guests are comfortable and satisfied during their stay. Hunts are booked starting in the first week of August through the second week of December. They loan guns at no extra charge and also offer shooting practice from 100 yards to ensure comfort handling a gun.

While Cory has endless “favorite” stories about hunts, one particular hunt stands out the most. “It was my first year with youth doe hunts and these two sisters came out,” he said. “The older girl had a line on a doe, but she flinched and missed. The younger girl was able to harvest a doe later that day. The older one tried again the next day and made a great shot and dropped the doe on the spot. Turned out it was the same doe she had missed the day before. Her reaction and excitement was amazing. Because of the videos we make, I was able to show her the difference between the two shots. The first time her eyes were shut. The second time her eyes were wide open.”

“This is why my family and I love running our preserve” Cory explained. “Our guests treasure their experience for the rest of their lives. We enjoy it so much and work hard to make that happen.”

FREE business card ads for members of United Deer Farmers of Michigan

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:

Quincy Querfurth quincyquerfurth97@gmail.com

This gives UDFOM members a way to reach out to one another for services and to buy or sell deer! There will be limited pages for these card spreads, first come first serve. The overflow would be placed in the next issue and cards will be rotated each quarter.

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

Semen Available (2021)

Name Ph #:

Floyd Miller (Tri-Pod Acres) (574) 773-3005

Tripod Acres Whitetails (Indiana) Ph#: (574) 773-3005

Doe Bred (short form pedigree)

Doe ID#

Custom Express / Custom Hardtail / Rolex / Silver Hawk NADR# 243001

Hilty Whitetails (Indiana) Ph#: (260) 723-4287

Doe Bred (short form pedigree)

Triple Crown / Express / Dream Ranger

Doe ID#

NADR# 220081

Champion Express / Role / Rold Gold NADR# 233631

Champion Express / Energizer / Rocket NADR# 233632

Gladiator / Stone Cold / Maxbo XL

NADR# 240507

Express / Dream Ranger / Little Boomer NADR# 172049

Triple Crown / Gladiator II / Duracell Dam NADR# 220078

Unforgiven / Texas Tea / Gladiator NADR# 240520

Vortex / Green 19 / PA Geronimo NADR# 22799

Express / Vortex / Blue 1 NADR# 172039

Red Baron / Duracel / Gladiator NADR# 286256

Red Baron / Silver King / Dutch Boy NADR# 286263

Shadow / Texas Tea / Gladiator NADR# 286243

Red Baron / Champion Express / Gladiator NADR# 286253

Champion Express / Triple Crown / Express NADR# 265466

Champion Express / Duracell Dream Ranger NADR# 265467

Champion Express / Energizer / Rocket NADR# 240525

Chmpion Express / Gladiator / Hydra Ax NADR# 242783

Unforgiven / Gladiator / GB Buckster

NADR# 240519

Isaac / Duracell / GXL NADR# 329750

Red Baron / Champion Expess / Gladiator Kid

NADR#332960

Shares

Golden Ranch Whitetails (Louisiana) Ph#: (985) 227-3664

Doe Bred (short form pedigree)

Doe ID#

GKR Excess / 4M Gladiator 44 NADR# 205263

The Fed / Foster / Monarch I NADR# 320405

Campbell / Jus Chillin' / High Roller NADR# 320419 Campbel / Roll On / CCW Federal Express NADR# 320423

Bluebird Hill Whitetails (Kentucky) Ph#: (270) 570-0158

Doe Bred (short form pedigree) Doe ID# Gladiator / PJ / Storm Cloud / Storm Express Yellow 23 7C's Blue Duck / Plan B / Absolute Maximus White 41 Gladiator X / PJ / Marlin / Dallas Yellow 0177 Silverstorm Doe Yellow 38

Forgotten Mile Whitetails (Indiana) Ph#: (260) 341-7296

Doe Bred (short form pedigree) Doe ID# Duracell / Gladiator Kid / Silver Storm Yellow 0424 Yellow 1107 / Maxboz A Blazin' / Pusher Yellow 2

White Pine Whitetails (Indiana) Ph#: (765) 437-5783

Doe Bred (short form pedigree) Doe ID# Cap'n Stub / Complete Control / Marsh Milbo NADR# 288695 Double Express / Gladiator XL / Ranger / Holly White 19

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

HOW TO CORRECTLY LINE BREED AND WHY

By: Gail Veley • Sponsored by IDEFA

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

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

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

Success with your line breeding efforts is realized when, after a few years, your herd begins to display and sustains a consistent look and striking resemblance, Bontrager explained. Twin Maple has heavily line bred the Patrick line into their herd, as a result of Ezra visiting Pine Creek Deer Farm and being impressed by long-tined typicals.

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

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

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

St. Patrick @6

Breeding CWD Susceptibility Out of Deer

Audio Recording

New Braunfels, TX September 28, 2022 - Dr. Christopher Seabury is one of the leading CWD researchers in the world. He is a tenured professor at the College of Vet Med at Texas A&M and is currently conducting ground breaking research at captive deer breeding facilities on why some whitetails contract CWD while others in the same proximity don’t.

On this audio recording, you’ll hear how Seabury has identified specific genetic defects in some deer that make them more susceptible to contracting the dis-ease. Seabury has an astonishingly successful record of identifying these genetic defects and is advising captive deer farmers how to effectively breed captive deer to be less susceptible to CWD.

“This audio featuring Dr Seabury was recorded during a special presentation at the Texas Deer Association annual meeting to a packed the house with great scientific information. If anyone is concerned about CWD and wants to get an inside look at this research, they must listen to this recording”, says Keith Warren host of the popular Deer and Wildlife Stories television series.

Listen to this presentation here: https://youtu.be/rJqz7dixJeI

For more information on Deer Farming, check out the Deer Farming Channel on YouTube.

Custom Embroidery

Photo credit: Dan Verrips

FEATURE STORY CROW RIVER WHITETAILS –PROVIDING UNIQUE HUNTING ADVENTURES

By: Gail Veley

When a group of hunters arrives at Crow River Whitetails, owner Steve Uchytil uses a drone to show them the quality of deer waiting for them within the lush landscape. However, among the selection one deer in particular stands out - a big white Seneca deer. Although many hunters have tried to find him once they enter into the preserve, for the three years the buck has lived there, no hunters have ever seen him. “Hunters would never trust that he was in there if I didn’t show them first,” Steve said.

But if he has learned one thing about the deer business, it’s this. It pays to trust people. At his 82-acre preserve in Atwater, Minnesota Steve has operated with his wife Melissa for 10 years, he puts trust first. He offers hunters a non-guided chance to harvest a northern world class whitetail buck or elk while independently exploring a challenging landscape filled with swamps, hardwoods, prairie grass and thick brush. In this regard it may feel more like hunting free-range, yet a harvesting a deer is still guaranteed. “The deer can definitely hear you coming if you aren’t careful,” Steve said.

Making life-long friends in the deer business is another guarantee, including the “regulars” Steve and Melissa welcome back to their preserve each hunting season. Yet, some unexpected friends were made recently when the two weren’t even home, but rather on vacation out-of-state. “Another preserve had booked a group of six hunters but then they went out of business,” Steve, 51, began. “(The hunters) weren’t told about it until two days before they were supposed to be there.” A friend of Steve’s found out and asked him if the group could stay at their house and harvest the remaining 10 deer still residing within the preserve. Steve responded “what do we care? Sure!”

Although the grateful group tried to find all 10 deer, they harvested four. When Steve and Melissa got home from vacation, they found a big check including a tip laying on the kitchen counter. “They booked for next year for 10 guys,” Steve said. “It felt good knowing I could trust them. It pays to trust people.”

The plan to operate a preserve was not at the forefront of Steve’s plans when Crow River Whitetails first began as merely a 10-acre breeding facility with the intent to sell stockers. However, he found out later that the price others were willing to pay for his deer didn’t quite coincide with the effort, time and money invested in raising them. As a result, he decided to start his own preserve. If requested, hunters can have the entire preserve to themselves as well as a guide at no extra charge. Length of stay at the preserve lodge depends on the size of your group. Although close to 80% of the hunts at Crow River Whitetails are successful, unsuccessful hunters are welcome to return and try again.

Price per deer depends on size and determined by what color ear tag a deer is wearing. Hunters are then able to distinguish what deer they are permitted to harvest, or upgrade to a larger deer if circumstances change. While many hunters prefer the challenge of stalk and spot, deer blinds (including one that is wheelchair accessible) and four-wheelers are also available. Steve needs to stock his preserve with at least 60 bucks per year to satisfy hunters and is grateful for the genetics infused into his herd by his popular, prized and non-typical breeder buck Boo-Boo, affectionately named by Melissa. While Steve would never trade Melissa for anything, he may have one parting thought about trust. “Don’t trust your wife to name your deer.”

TRIPLE X PEDIGREE