INCREASING FAWN SUCCESS
Advice from Experienced Experts
Sponsored by WOO
Sponsored by ILDFA
Sponsored by WDFO
BOARD OF OFFICERS & DIRECTORS
PRESIDENT
Josh Newton (2028)
Deer Wizard LLC
285 Dunwoody Rd
Williamsport, PA 17701
Cell Phone: 484-951-3229
Email: deerwizard64@gmail.com
TREASURER
Samuel King
Rocky Top Whitetails
6285 Engletown Road Honey Brook , PA 19344
Phone: (717) 768-0645
Email: samuel@keystonesteelstructures.com
VICE PRESIDENT
Jarrid Barry (2026)
Jarrid Barry (2026)
Powder Ridge Outfitters
PO Box 6
Hollidaysburg, PA 16648
Cell: (717) 821-0669
Email: powderridgeoutfitters@ gmail.com
SECRETARY
Lloyd Stoltzfus (2026)
Walnut Ridge Whitetails 142 Churchtown Rd.
Narvon, Pa. 17555
Office: (717) 768-3471
Email: wrwhitetails@yahoo.com
Ben Spangler (2028)
Big Vision Whitetails
10040 Cardinal Drive
Orrstown, PA 17244
Cell: (717) 816-4319
Email: benspangler1993@yahoo.com
Mike Lapp (2028)
Nationwide Scents
420 Weaver Road
Millersburg, PA 17061
Cell: (570) 425-2855
Email: mlapp@nationwidescents.com
John Ervin Stoltzfus
Rocky Ridge Whitetails
6099 Wanner Road
Narvon, PA 17555
Phone: (717) 768-3336
Email: rockyridgewts@gmail.com
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL
Andy Goodman, Partner
Milliron & Goodman
Governmental Relations
200 N. Third St.
Harrisburg, Pa. 17101
Office: 717-232-5322
Email: andy@millirongoodman.com
Kelsey Showalter
Office Administrator PO Box 66
Morgantown, PA 19543
Office: 717-801-0533
Email: office@padfa.com
Tucker Sellinger (2025)
The Valley Deer Farm 1506 Wells Road
Williamsport, PA 17702
Cell: 570-660-0143
Email: tuckersellinger@aol.com
Jason Stefanowicz (2027)
Awesome Whitetails
990 French Hill Road
Middleburg Center, PA 16935
Cell: (570) 418-3109
Email: awesomewhitetails2@gmail.com
Kelli Nelson (2028)
Deer Forest Farms
903 Deer Forest Road
York, PA 17406
Cell Phone: (717) 515-4049
Email:deerforestfarms@gmail.com
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL
Kerry Lange, Senior Associate
Milliron & Goodman Government Relations
Kerry Lange, Senior Associate
200 N. Third St.
Harrisburg, Pa. 17101
Office: 717-232-5322
Email: kerry@millirongoodman.com
WINTER SALE AGENDA
THURSDAY FEBRUARY 26TH
12:00 PM Display/Decor Drop Off
12:00 PM - 5:00 PM PDFA Event Set Up 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM Vendor/Exhibitor Move-in
FRIDAY FEBRUARY 27TH
7:00 AM
8:00 AM
Trade Show Floor Opens, Booth Visitation
Coffee and Donuts Served
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Gun Raffles, 50/50 and Bingo Games
9:45 AM - 10:30 AM
SPEAKER : Dawn Dillion | Dept. Of Ag PA Deer Farming/Hunting Introduction to feeding Pennslyvania
Ranch Program Update
SPEAKER: Lindsey Kogut North American Deer Registry - NADR Science-based Data for Private Deer Management
10:30 AM - 11:30 AM PDFA Bingo
12:00 PM Lunch 5:00 PM Dinner
6:00 PM Breeder Auction
SATURDAY FEBRUARY 28TH
7:00 AM Trade Show Floor Opens, Booth Visitation
8:00 AM Coffee and Donuts Served
10:30 AM - 11:15 AM SPEAKERS: Jason Snavely Drop Tine Wildlife Consulting Soil Health and Pasture Management
11:15 AM Last Man Standing
11:00 AM - 2 PM Lunch/Food Truck
12:00 PM PDFA Fundraiser & Benefit Auction Featuring Hundreds of Donated Item
President’s Message
Spring 2026
President’s Message – Strengthening Our Mission
Since our Fall 2025 update, the Pennsylvania Deer Farmers Association has continued advancing our mission and reinforcing the foundation of private deer management across the Commonwealth.
At its core, PDFA is about healthy animals, strong rural economies, responsible land stewardship, and conservation-driven agriculture. Our members contribute not only to Pennsylvania’s agricultural landscape but to the preservation and improvement of open space and wildlife habitat throughout the state.
Modern deer farming is grounded in science. Implementing advancements in genetics, herd health management, and disease mitigation technologies remains the backbone of our breeding operations. We rely on data, research, and evolving tools to combat disease and protect herd integrity. These advancements ensure that our operations remain sustainable, responsible, and forward-thinking.
At the same time, ethical and regulated hunting continues to serve as the ultimate management tool that supports conservation goals, drives rural economic activity, and sustains the very habitat we work hard to protect. Hunting funds conservation, supports land preservation, and closes the loop on responsible wildlife management.
Advocacy & Education in Action
Addressing the Feed Tax Issue
We continue working closely with our lobbyist, the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue, feed mills, and legislators to address the sales tax issue impacting Cervid Livestock Operations (CLOs). Ensuring fair and consistent tax treatment is essential for producer sustainability, and this remains a priority focus.
Pennsylvania Farm Show
PDFA proudly operated a booth for seven full days at the Pennsylvania Farm Show. With strong volunteer participation and high attendance, the Farm Show remains one of our most powerful platforms. It allows us to engage directly with the public, interact with policymakers and agency officials, and demonstrate that deer farming is a viable and important agricultural sector in Pennsylvania.
CWD & CCMZ Regulatory Progress
We continue to make steady progress on Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) regulations. Our focus is ensuring that the CCMZ framework works for producers in the field—supporting responsible disease management without unnecessarily hampering operations. Dialogue with the Department of Agriculture remains ongoing as we advocate for practical, science-based policies. We are optimistic that the “herd plans” being developed for CCMZ producers are at the forefront of what the future may hold.
As we collectively continue our genetic progress in developing herds that are resistant to CWD, regulatory capture should wane, and we can move beyond this stage in the deer farming timeline.
Cornucopia at the Capitol
PDFA participated in the Cornucopia event at the State Capitol alongside other PA Preferred agricultural associations. Jarrid Barry and I had direct conversations with more than 40 attendees including Representatives, Senators, and staff and cabinet members -while sharing venison products and discussing land stewardship, rural economic impact, and deer farming. These face-to-face interactions are invaluable in building understanding and long-term relationships.
Education & Looking Ahead
We are proud to have brought back our Winter/Spring event, including the PA Winter Fall Classic. We secured outstanding speakers from NADR (Lindsey Kogut) and wildlife biologist Jason Snavely of Drop Tine Wildlife Consulting, who will speak on genetics, soil health, and pasture management—topics that directly support healthier animals, improved land management, and stronger operations.
Who We Are
PDFA stands for healthy animals, science-based breeding and disease mitigation, supporting rural and local economies, habitat improvement and land conservation, advocacy and education for producers, and responsible hunting as a conservation tool. Everything we do ties back to these principles.
Support PDFA
Our strength comes from member engagement. Advocacy only works when producers stand together. We encourage continued participation, attendance at events, and ongoing support of the Association. Together, we can continue advancing deer farming and protecting the future of our industry in Pennsylvania.
Respectfully,
Josh Newton President Pennsylvania Deer Farmers Association
KEYNOTE SPEAKER SPOTLIGHT:
JASON SNAVELY – DROP TINE WILDLIFE
We are excited to welcome Jason Snavely, founder of Drop Tine Wildlife Consulting, as our keynote speaker for this year’s Winter Event. With over 25 years of experience as a wildlife biologist and habitat consultant, Jason has worked extensively with landowners, producers, and hunting operations across the country to improve wildlife habitat, forage systems, and overall land productivity.
Jason specializes in practical, fieldtested strategies that connect soil health, pasture management, and habitat design to stronger wildlife populations and more sustainable land use. His approach blends sciencebased management with real-world application—focusing on improving soil structure, forage diversity, and
long-term carrying capacity. Whether you manage large acreage or a smaller operation, his insights on soil health and pasture improvement directly impact animal performance, habitat quality, and overall farm profitability.
This is a rare opportunity to learn from a nationally respected consultant who understands both the biological and operational sides of wildlife management. If you are serious about strengthening your land, improving herd performance, and building long-term sustainability into your operation, you won’t want to miss this presentation.
Join us at the PDFA Winter Event and hear directly from Jason as he shares proven strategies that can elevate your land and your operation.
Speaking:
Saturday February 28th 10:30 - 11:15 at the PDFA Event
Dont miss out!
PDFA Deadlines 2026
Spring: February 17th
Summer: May 19th
Fall: August 18th
Winter: November 17th
Illinois Deer Farmers Association Fundraiser - Feb 20-21, 2026 - Altamont, IL
Alabama Deer Association Spring Auction - Feb 21, 2026 - Cullman, AL
Iowa Whitetail Deer Association Winter Banquet - Feb 21, 2026 - Timberghost Ranch Lodge
Pennsylvania Deer Farmers Association Eastern Winter Classic - Feb 27-28 - Morgantown, PA
Minnesota Deer Farmers Association Annual Meeting - Feb 28, 2026 - Willmar, MN
Kansas Deer & Elk Association Convention - Feb 28, 2026
United Deer Farmes of Michigan Annual Convention - March 6-7, 2026, Bath Township, Michigan
Southeast Trophy Deer Association Spring Fling - March 6-7, 2026 - Orlando, FL
Minnesota Deer Farmers Association Online Fundraiser Auction - March 10-12, 2026 - McClungSales.w2auctions
Whitetails of Wisconsin Annual Banquet & Fundraiser - March 13-14, 2026 - Wisconsin Dells, WI
NADeFA Spring Open - March 20, 2026 - Sandusky, OH
Indiana Deer & Elk Farmers Association - July 31-Aug 1st - Nappanee IN KALA Summer Showcase - Aug 8, 2026
Whitetail Deer Farmers of Ohio Convention - Aug 13-14, 2026
Southern Top 30 - Aug 20-21, 2026 - Louisiana
Whitetails of Louisiana - Aug 21-22, 2026 - Marksville, LA
TDA Annual Convention - Aug 28-29, 2026 - San Antonio, TX
Use this QR Code or go online to DeerSites.com for more deadlines and up to date event information!
Breeder Buck 2025 Showcase Magazine is here!
Just in time for semen sales, getting ready for breeding season!
We created this magazine in order for 2025 Breeder and Hunting Preserve advertisers to showcase their most recent photos of their bucks close to the last days of antler growth. We realize establishing a collective deadline for all states Fall magazines to publish on the same date to obtain last-minute photos would be impossible to achieve. With this magazine, advertisers have one more chance to showcase their bucks.
~ Thank you to all that participated!
If you’re interested in advertising or featuring one or more bucks in the 2026 Showcase please call 435-817-0150 or email deerassociations@gmail.com for more information. There are limited spaces available, call today to reserve your space!
PDFA REPRESENTS PENNSYLVANIA DEER FARMERS AT CORNUCOPIA IN HARRISBURG
The Pennsylvania Deer Farmers Association was proud to participate in the annual Cornucopia event at the Pennsylvania State Capitol, standing alongside fellow PA Preferred Agricultural Associations to showcase the strength and diversity of Pennsylvania agriculture.
Cornucopia provides a unique opportunity for direct engagement with policymakers in a setting that encourages meaningful conversation. During the event, PDFA President Josh Newton and Vice President Jarrid Barry met face-to-face with dozens of legislators and staff members, discussing the role of private deer management in:
• Supporting rural and local economies
• Preserving working lands and family farms/ranches
• Advancing science-based animal health practices, specifically in the CWD resistance area.
• Strengthening conservation through responsible management
Our table featured venison sticks and specialty meats, which served as both a conversation starter and a tangible
reminder that deer farming is a legitimate and valuable agricultural enterprise in the Commonwealth. These interactions allowed us to explain how cervid operations contribute to, habitat and farm land preservation, and economic sustainability across rural Pennsylvania.
Events like Cornucopia are critical to PDFA’s advocacy efforts. Legislative relationships are not built overnight, they are built through consistent presence, dialogue, and education. By showing up, engaging professionally, and sharing our story, we continue to position Pennsylvania deer farming as a responsible, sciencedriven agricultural sector.
We remain committed to representing our members in Harrisburg and ensuring that the voice of PDFA is heard clearly and accurately.
Respectfully,
Josh Newton President, PDFA
DAY ONE FORMULA
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
FOX VALLEY ANIMAL NUTRITION, INC. COVERING EVERY NEONATAL NEED
By: Gail Veley
It wasn’t just belief in his products that prompted Nick Vlamis to start his company, Fox Valley Nutrition, Inc., in 1995. It was because the need for his products weren’t being filled anywhere else. Since the very beginning Nick has valued every customer, particularly the four-legged ones, by producing milk replacers, supplements and feeding supplies for young wildlife, domestic and exotic animals. Since founding his company, Nick has been helping orphaned neonates maximize their health, growth and performance potential through species-specific milk replacers and supplements. “It’s a blessing for all the animals that we save,” Nick said. “It makes it much less about making money and more about gratification. My customers are not just an invoice. And the quality of our products has never been compromised.”
Fox Valley, headquartered in Huntley, Illinois, sells their products in the U.S.A., Canada, Australia, Costa Rica, The Netherlands, Germany, Italy, Spain and also in the United Kingdom. They specialize in species-specific milk replacers, made with the finest raw ingredients available, to create the same composition found in natural milk. To date, more than 60 different types of milk replacers are offered to various species ranging from whitetail deer fawns, elk, moose, kittens, puppies, goats, cows, llamas, wallabies, raccoon, shrew and baby humpback whales among many others. In starting Fox Valley, Nick knew he’d be successful because “no one else had anything species-specific. Back then a raccoon would fall under feline. Everyone was taking existing puppy or kitten formulas and trying to make it work for other animals,” he said. “However, if you have a formula as close as possible to the actual animal you have, it can cause better health and greater
performance. Anything less can result in feeding problems and other issues.”
Not only do Fox Valley’s milk replacers aid in the overall health of each neonate, but their supplements do also, as they are formulated to combat dehydration, diarrhea and disturbed intestinal flora. “I got my start at a National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association conference,” Nick explained. “We were always finding orphaned fawns. I let them have free field trails of my formulas. They saw it worked and had great trust in it, making me believe I was on the right track.” Customers also trust that should they call Nick with questions, he will make every effort to speak to them directly. He has spent immense time promoting his products to veterinarians, colleges, conferences, trade shows and other venues. He knows the results speak for themselves, yet finds great joy when customers write or call to express their gratitude. Nick also feels great gratitude for his employees Walter Amador, Chris and Heather Vlamis as well as Tyler Eldrup and Jonathan Cielo. Amador’s scientific background is key to carefully blending all product nutritional ingredients
to “spec.” Nick’s son Chris manages key components in the development and distribution of products, while Heather’s (Nick’s daughter-in-law) computer knowledge and synergistic personality greatly assists in customer service through phone orders and in creating an effective website. Nick is also very grateful to Tyler Eldrup and Jonathan Cielo who oversee the packing and shipping of products.
“We have the best wildlife milk replacer available,” Nick said. “The products are easy to mix and have an 18-month shelf life. They also come in convenient sizes in sturdy, reusable plastic buckets and have been thoroughly field-tested by rehabilitators.” Should product prices ever increase, Nick will always explain the reason to his customers. “I will not substitute a cheaper product to make a buck,” he said. “I will always offer the same high-quality products I have stood behind since day one. I believe Fox Valley Nutrition is the Cadillac of neonatal formulations. We strive to be a growing world-class manufacturing organization that responds to customer-driven demands while consistently exceeding expectations.”
2025 Membership Drive, Featuring 4 Grand Prize Winners!
As most of you know, D&K Design has been at the forefront of overseeing a membership drive for many state deer associations for the past years. As part of servicing 19 states with quarterly publications, we were proud to also offer this service. 2025 we included in our grand prize drawing, donations from each state association. Many of their members stepped up to donate a product or service.
Memberships are collected throughout the year and at events such as NADeFA and Top 30. Each participant that spent over a certain amount on memberships was included in our end of year drawing.
Meryle Frey’s Winnings ~
• $250 Shock Effect Certificate
• 50 Custom Ear Tags
• $350 C&E Solutions certificate
• Legends binocular harness
• Ohio Gun Raffle Calendar
• 10 Personalized calendars
• 1 Straw of Mohican
• $250 Gift Certificate from Pneu-Dart
2025 winners included Shane and Jennifer Horrocks of C&E Bio Solutions and Max Rax feed company, Amber Boldt, a loyal D & K Design supporter, James Weaver of Dutch Creek Whitetails in Fredericksburg, Ohio and Meryle Frey from Fish Lake Whitetails in Indiana.
Winners received gifts, valued at over $1,800. which also included certificates for deer industry goods and services.
“I found the semen straw of Cruiser from Rocky Ridge Whitetails to be very worthwhile and appealing,” James Weaver said. “I say YIPPEE! I hope I win again!”
Merle Frey felt that winning for him was a bonus, on top of the fact that he became a member of several state associations. “The items that were in my basket were things I was already using like Shock Effect and products from C & E Bio Solutions,” he said. “I’m also really glad to have gotten a semen straw of Mohican that Woodard Whitetails donated. Being a member of these associations has been worth it even without winning, and I appreciate everyone who donated the items I won.”
Shane and Jennifer Horrocks, huge supporters of each state association, strong advertisers and advocates for state memberships, were equally pleased. “What a great way to have our enthusiasm rewarded by winning a raffle,” Shane said. “Our basket was very thoughtfully hand selected by Kathy and we really appreciated receiving it.”
Amber Boldt, who has gladly pitched in and helped transport D & K Design booth to industry events, was very pleased with her raffle win as well.
This helps keep the momentum going and further fuels my desire to have every state continue to donate items, in an effort to make these raffles one of the most anticipated activities at our events. We sold over $8,000 in memberships total! I appreciate everyone who has donated in the past and plans to donate in the future. Your support will win you recognition throughout the year. Ask me for more details!
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BEWARE OF HAVING A PET BUCK
By: Gail Veley • Whitetail Deer Farmers of Ohio
On December 31st, 2025, Levi Miller held his five-monthold grandson Zachary in his arms and told him softly “grandpa has to go feed the deer. I’ll be right back.” With that said, Miller, a man who raised his first deer at age 14, who has raised deer for a total of 30 years, walked off alone to feed his herd. Reaching the first pen, he felt a sense of contentment in seeing three-year-old Buddy walk towards the gate of his chain link fenced pen, where he lived among doe fawns. Having bottle raised him, Miller had unwittingly convinced him along the way that he wasn’t really a deer. He was merely a family pet who laid outside their front door like a guard dog, waiting for scratches on the head. A pet that never for one second had any desire to hang out with other bucks, not to mention any behavioral acknowledgement that anything like the rut even existed. Therefore, to protect Buddy, he placed in a pen with doe fawns, rather than with other bucks.
Miller opened the gate and slipped in, ready to turn and give expected head scratches to Buddy. “As soon as I latched the gate. I was knocked on the ground,” Miller said. After a powerful force of wham! Miller found himself staring in disbelief at his pet buck who was shaking and snorting from adrenaline. Miller quickly got up to take cover behind a water trough. Wham! He was back on the ground. Although Buddy’s antlers had been cut, he still had stickers on his head which gored into Miller’s legs and hands as he tried to fight him off. Climbing the chain link fence was out of the question. Wham! As he was thrown against the chain link again and again, Miller thought he’d never see his grandson again. Wham! “I grabbed ahold of his stickers in my hands to hold him off, but I was getting exhausted,” Miller said. “I
finally made it out the gate and into the alleyway, but he came with me. I couldn’t yell for help. The wind was knocked out of me.”
Luckily, the alleyway provided some thing the pen didn’t, woven wire preserve style fencing. Asking the Good Lord for one more burst of strength and for the chance to see his grandson again, Miller started to slowly climb the fence while Buddy tried knocking his feet out from under him. But Miller finally made it to the very top of the fence and collapsed across it, hoping desperately he’d find his phone and call for help. Right at that moment, one of Levi’s son’s Caleb, looked out the window and towards the barn. He immediately spotted Miller and in an instant Caleb and two of Miller’s other sons, Jeremy and Daniel, came charging out. With an urgent force matched by Buddy’s adrenaline, Daniel ripped a two by four off a nearby fence and gave
Buddy a firm whack in the head, sending the buck running. Assisted back to the house safely, Miller was bloody and hurting from head to toe. By Friday morning January 2nd his hands and legs were completely swollen and hosting deep holes. A doctor ordered him to take pain pills and steroids. Miller is expected to make a full recovery. “I got complacent, I guess. I knew better,” Miller said. “My sons said ‘Dad, you taught us better than this.” Buddy is still living at Miller’s farm, however, no one is permitted to go anywhere near him. And that is how it will remain. Permanently. “Don’t ever think you can really tame a buck,” Miller said. “I’m feeling immense gratitude to be alive.”
Harrisburg Update
We are over halfway through the 2025-26 legislative session. All introduced bills have until November 30, 2026 to pass through the legislative process and get across the Governor’s desk. If they don’t make it through, they effectively die and must be reintroduced in the following session for future consideration.
The House and Senate released their spring session schedule as follows: Senate House
Jan 26, 27 & 28
26, 27 & 28
Feb 2, 3 & 4 2, 3 & 4
Mar 16, 17, 18, 23, 24 & 25 23, 24 & 25
Apr 20, 21 & 22 13, 14, 15, 27, 28 & 29
May 4, 5 & 6 4, 5 & 6
PA General Assembly
The legislature continues to operate with slim margins between Democrats and Republicans in both chambers, making strong bipartisan support a necessity for every piece of legislation.
Here is the current breakdown:
• House: 100 D - 98 R
• Senate: 27 R – 23 D
A handful of representatives resigned from the House this year:
1. State Rep. Torren Ecker (R-193): Elected to Adams County Court of Common Pleas
2. State Rep. Dan Miller (D-42): Elected to Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas
3. State Rep. Lou Schmitt (R-79): Elected to Blair County Court of Common Pleas
4. State Rep. Josh Siegel (D-22): Elected Lehigh County Executive
5. State Rep Seth Grove (R-196)- New role as President of PA Concrete and Aggregates Association)
Special elections will be held in the coming months to fill these seats. Those elections must be held at least 70 days after each resignation.
Elections
2026 is an election year. All 203 members of the House of Representatives and 25 out of 50 Senators are up for re-election (only even-numbered district seats). In addition, Governor Josh Shapiro and Lt. Governor Austin Davis are also up for re-election.
Several have already announced their plans to resign/retire at the end of session in November 2026 including:
1. Rep. Mary Jo Daley (D-Montgomery) (State House of Representatives – D-148)
2. Rep. Anita Kulik (D-Allegheny) (State House of Representatives – D-45)
3. Rep. Bryan Cutler (R-Lancaster) (State House of Representatives – D-100)
4. Rep Sheryl Delozier (R-Cumberland) (State House of Representatives – D-88)
5. Rep Eddie Day Pashinski (D-Luzerne) (State House of Representatives – D-121)
The primary is scheduled for Tuesday, May 19, 2026. Please note that May 12, 2026 is the last day to apply for a mail-in or civilian absentee ballot.
Revenue Collections
The Independent Fiscal Office (IFO) recently released their Fiscal Outlook for FY 2025-26 through FY 2030-31. Here’s a brief overview:
• General Fund surplus projected to be depleted in FY 26-27;
• Rainy Day Fund (currently $4.7 B) projected to be depleted by FY 27-28;
• FY 25-26 deficit is currently projected at $3.7 B and projected to grow to $7.7 B by FY 30-31; and
• $1.3 B temporary measures used in FY 25-26 must be back-filled next year.
2026-27 Budget
On February 3rd, Governor Shapiro provided his 2026-27 budget address and corresponding proposal. It is a $53.2 billion plan, about 5.3% more than last year’s budget. Once again, he is calling for the legalization and taxation of recreational marijuana as well as regulating and taxing skill games. Also, like prior budgets, he is calling for the minimum wage rate to be increased to $15/hour.
As for the PDA portion, Governor Shapiro called for an additional $2 million for the new veterinary lab operations in western Pennsylvania. Details on the Keystone Animal Diagnostic Center are TBD.
Sales Tax of Deer Feed
Several members of PDFA recently expressed concerns about sales tax on the purchase of deer feed. We were able to get clarification from DOR as noted in the memo below.
Article continued on next page...
LEGISLATION
We continue to monitor for any bills that could potentially harm the industry, as well as for bills that could support industry growth Our firm coordinates directly with the PDFA legislative committee to review the bills introduced and determine levels of engagement (support/oppose/amend/neutral).
Over 3,200 bills have been introduced since the beginning of the session (Jan 1, 2025). Each one has until the end of the session, November 30th , 2026, to get through the legislative process and across the Governor’s desk. Of the 3,200, we have about 40 bills on the PDFA bill tracking report. The most recent priority was the Sunday hunting bill.
Our office will continue to monitor bill introductions and movement and keep the PDFA board informed. In the meantime, please reach out to us with any questions or concerns. And most importantly, please continue to engage with your legislators. Gradually build those relationships and continue the education about your industry.
TOHIO CHRISTIAN AID MINISTRIES SEARCH AND RESCUE TEAM
By: Gail Veley • Sponsored by the Whitetail Deer Farmers of Ohio
he Whitetail Deer Farmer’s Association of Ohio (WDFO) is well-known for two things, putting on a memorable annual event and choosing a worthy organization each year to receive a donation from event proceeds. In 2024, the ODFA donated $20,400 to Christian Aid Ministries (CAM), a national volunteer search and rescue organization with a team based out of Millersburg, Ohio. “It’s extremely helpful to us to receive this donation,” said Ohio CAM Search and Rescue (SAR) Coordinator Marcus Miller. “We don’t receive grants and so we rely heavily on donations from churches, individuals and a bit from businesses to keep us going.”
Levi Miller, Executive Director for the WDFO, recommended CAM to receive a donation after a northeast Ohio family recently lost a loved one due to drowning. After everyone else had essentially given up, CAM stepped in and found them, Levi said. CAM’s search and rescue organization has been helping families reunite or recover loved ones since 2016. There mission isn’t only to save individuals who have been physically lost, but to assist them spiritually as well.
The Ohio CAM SAR team, comprised of 30 members many of whom are Amish and Mennonite, were chosen based on their faith and passion to help others. “We don’t take just anyone off the street who’s looking for an adrenaline rush,” said Marcus Miller, who also teaches the CAM Search and Rescue class. “Our volunteers are put through many
rigorous hours of training and make a huge commitment to be available when we need them.” Training courses include, for example, land navigation, boat operation, radio communications, crime scene preservation, wilderness first aid, rope and knot tying and fire starting. Current Ohio CAM SAR team members range in age from 19 to 56. “We wouldn’t turn anyone down who might be older,” Miller shared. “There’s always something we can find for them to do.”
Although while every SAR team member is hopeful for a successful outcome, it doesn’t always turn out that way. “I think we can all relate to how terrifying it is when a child goes missing,” Miller said. “We’ve found the bodies of children who’ve drowned. Consoling the parents is the toughest part and something we make a point of doing. We also seek to bring those we help closer to a spiritual belief as part of their healing.”
Perhaps one of Miller’s favorite rescue stories involved a young man who had run away from home. “We had no location on him, and we were concerned he may have been picked up by someone,” he said. “But we found him sleeping in the woods, got him back to camp and warmed up and counseled him on ways to cope better with life. We really enjoyed our time with him.”
When rescue situations appear to be risky or dangerous, law enforcement officers typically work alongside CAM, since CAM team members do not carry firearms. CAM teams are also located in Arkansas, Illinois, Tennessee, Oklahoma, Virginia, Minnesota, Mississippi, Michigan, Indiana and Pennsylvania. Depending on the time of year, teams could receive up to four calls per week asking for help. “Sometimes a whole month goes by and nothing,” Miller said. “Spring through mid-fall are the busiest times. Sometimes calls come in at very inconvenient times like Christmas Day or right in the middle of a family gathering. But this is what we signed up for. This is what we committed to, and we are more than glad to help anyone who needs us.”
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.”
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Science that delivers the health & productivity you require
G FORC E™
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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
Trophy Breeder Bucks Showcase Book 2026 Application
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 16th20th. Just in time for semen sales getting ready for Breeding Season. These will be mailed to Breeders and Ranch members of the 20 state associations we service.
More information will be mailed out to all current advertisers closer to the date. Pre-register and we will contact you for further information
PRIME SPOTS WILL BE AUCTIONED ONLINE AT MCCLUNG SALES: JULY 2026
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MK2™ Kit
PROPRIETARY FORMULA
(Medetomidine/Ketamine 10/200 mg/mL + 2X Atipamezole 20mg/mL)
MKB2™ Kit PROPRIETARY FORMULA
(Medetomidine/Ketamine/Butorphanol 20/100/50 mg/mL + Atipamezole 40mg/mL + Naltrexone 50mg/mL)
e most widely used MK™ kit on the market. is formulation contains higher concentrations of active ingredients than the original MK™ kit, allowing for lower dose volumes and the use of a smaller dart, resulting in improved accuracy during capture.
MKB™ Kit
PROPRIETARY FORMULA
(Medetomidine/Ketamine/Butorphanol 10/50/25 mg/mL + Atipamezole 20mg/mL + Naltrexone 25mg/mL)
to induce a reversible sedation with smooth induction and faster reversal. Recommended for procedures or sedation scenarios under 15-20 minutes.
Contains higher concentrations of active ingredients than the MKB Kit, allowing for lower dose volumes and a smaller dart to improve accuracy during capture. Recommended for super exotics and large cervids that may be more diffi cult to sedate.
MKBM™ Kit PROPRIETARY FORMULA
(Medetomidine/Ketamine/Butorphanol/Midazolam 20/100/30/20 mg/mL + Atipamezole 40mg/mL + Naltrexone 50mg/mL)
is kit builds on our MKB™ formulation by adding midazolam for superior muscle relaxation and more reliable sedation. Recommended for immobilizing large exotic hoofstock species, including bongo, kudu, gazelle, eland, other African hoofstock and certain domestic wildlife species.
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.”
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SUDOKU
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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.
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