Trio Trails SU 26 Full Book by DandKDesign

Meet our New Team Member! Amy Stefanowicz

Dedication is exactly what every successful deer farmer learns and Stefanowicz now exuberates not in owning and operating Awesome Whitetails in Middlebury Center, Pennsylvania with her husband Jason, also in her job as an Accounts Receivable staff member for D & K Design. D & K Design, producer of quarterly state deer association magazines, saw Stefanowicz as the perfect fit for the job.

known Amy for years, along with Jason,” said D & K Design Magazine Editor Kathy Giesen. “When I heard that was looking for a part-time job, Jason joked that she could come work me. Well, I took him up on it. Amy very personable, well-known in the industry and very detail oriented. are so glad to have her on board.”

“Amy with all of her kids”

great example of devotion back then, and along with it they both nurtured their daughter’s interest in agriculture, 4-H and even bowling. As the years passed, Stefanowicz found herself drawn to both horses and teaching, and even dreamed of becoming a barrel racing competitor on the national circuit. Ultimately, she was compelled to pursue early childhood education at Montgomery Community College, shortly after graduating from Dock Mennonite Academy.

Later, she met Jason at a birthday party, ultimately fell in love and married him on September 11th, the same day as her birthday, in 1999. Now, through the creation of their deer farm and the daily caring for deer, Stefanowicz has found the perfect combination of her passions as a teacher and animal lover. Her advice

as devoted to their deer as she and Jason are, as it allows her and Jason to attend industry events on a fairly regular basis.

If she had but one wish, it would be that her parents were still alive, sharing in all the joys and challenges of raising deer. However, she finds comfort in knowing her success is firmly rooted in the life lessons they taught her. If you don’t already know Amy, visit the D & K Design booth at the next event they may be found at, and say hi!

President Brandon Clewis

Vice President Jason Watson

Director: Finance Tim Bridgers

Director: NC Regional Development Phillip Briley

Director: Public Relations Joshua Young

Director: North American Development Nash Murray

Fawning

Carolina Deer Association

Memberships

$25.................................Contributing Member - Non Voting

$200...............................Voting Member with a Cervid Operation

$2,500 Voting Member with a Cervid Operation - Lifetime Membership

$250 Contributing Member

Sponsorships

$1,000 Bronze Level Sponsor

$2,500 Silver Level Sponsor

$5,000............................Gold Level Sponsor

$10,000..........................Platinum Level Sponsor

Signature: Date: I give permission to have my contact information published in the annual directory and on the website Yes No

Meet North CaroliNa’s

YouNg FarMer oF the DaY awarD reCipieNt Josh YouNg

By: Gail Veley • Sponsored by Carolina Deer Association (CDA)

Josh Young tries to never spread himself too thin. Yet, it would be easy to wonder how he fits everything into his life that he does. Young, 35, is a self-sustained deer farmer and longhorn cattle and pig rancher who devotes a large majority of his time promoting deer farming. On May 17th he was awarded the “Got to Be N.C.” Young Farmer of the Day Award by North Carolina AG Commissioner Steve Troxler. The

award recognizes outstanding young agricultural leaders between the ages of 18 and 40. Honorees participate by riding in an annual spring festival Tractor Parade, receive a prize pack and are also featured in agricultural blogs and various types of media coverage. He credits and thanks some of his closest friends, Ms. Janice and Ms. Patricia, for nominating him for the award in March of this year.

However, as much as this award means to him, it is equally meaningful to him that people understand and embrace deer farming. Young estimates that he attends close to 25 festivals a year in North Carolina, taking the Carolina Deer Association (CDA) along with him. “I introduce people to the fact that you can raise deer as livestock,” Young said. “When you show them that they are tagged just like cattle, they start to understand.

Their next question is always about buying venison. I say that we are working on it with the USDA.”

Young, who started the Young-Outlaw Ranch in Dudley (Wayne County), North Carolina in 2021, currently has eight deer and counting on his 45-acre property. Prior to starting his farm, he spent six years serving in the Marine Corps and three years serving in the United States Armed Services.

“Growing up, I always wanted to be a Marine and a cowboy. Now I’ve done both,” he said. Young, a first-generation farmer to rancher, learned the value of hard work and the love of anything outdoors from his late grandfather, Fred Young. “I got to watch westerns with him,” Young reflected. “He was also in the army. He was big on work ethic. He laid tile and played tennis in his mid-60’s and even taught me how to water ski. I would give anything for him to be here now.”

Young credits his internal drive and ambition to his grandfather, and he

is certain he still plays a part in every decision he makes. In November of 2024, Young and other dedicated individuals officially formed the Carolina Deer Association, a 501 (c) (3) organization dedicated to promoting deer farming along with addressing and curbing misconceptions about the deer industry. In creating the association, they also became a member of the “Got to Be N.C.” program, a statewide program designed to assist agri-businesses and associations grow and expand. Young’s official role within CDA is Director of Public Relations, something that fits as perfect for him as a glove. “Through the ‘Got to Be N.C.’ program, deer farming is solidified as an official form of agriculture,” Young said. “CDA participates in the annual spring festival at the fairgrounds that attracts more than 120,000 people. I’m glad that deer farming can get the positive attention it deserves. I’m proud to be a part of it and proud to help teach the next generation about our way of life.”

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New York Deer and Elk Farmers Association

Dave Vanderzee President Easton View Outfitters 518-210-8889 eastonviewoutfittersllc@gmail.com

Mike Kerry Four Season Whitetails 315-783-2848 fourseasonwhitetails@hotmail.com

Robert Root

Moriah Elk Farm 607-657-8069 rootnyelk@aol.com

Tim Rater

French Creek Whitetails 716-355-8870 timrater21@gmail.com

Mike Czora Prime Whitetails 585-330-9100 mike@primewhitetails.com

Tom Peryea 518-561-3555 tomselkranch@juno.com

Mike Rosenwie Concord Whitetail Scents 716-912-7314 rosey9473@hotmail.com

Wayne Hettenbaugh Valley View Whitetails NY 716-499-9367 whett6@hotmail.com

Dan Jennings JB Farms 413-822-1040 dan.jennings02@gmail.com

Member Message

Summer 2026

Hello Deer Farmers,

Hopefully this finds everyone with a successful fawning season behind them. On our farm we had some big healthy fawns some of that due to a lot of singles this year. We also had a first for our farm with our first Black Buck fawn being born. We put the little buck on the bottle but ended up losing him. I want to start a bottle raised herd as my original buck and two does are pretty wild. Hopefully better luck next time!

There is also grant money available again this year thru Ag & Markets to pay for NADR testing if your interested. They will also send you the test tubes and punch. This is about as good as it gets, I don’t think they will come and take the samples!

On August 8th is the NYDEFA summer picnic. See the inside front cover for more info. It will be at good friends of ours Gideon & Verna Mae Zook (Pine Vista Whitetails) 442 Pickle Hill Rd Fort Plain NY 13339. Everyone is welcome! Thank you Gideon & Verna Mae for supporting the industry and hosting the event we appreciate it immensely!

Enjoy the summer and I wish you lots of luck with fawns and antler growing.

MountainSide Whitetails

Dana Hoover

New York Deer and Elk Farmers Association

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Tim Bridgers business plan for his fallow deer farm, Boot Swamp Ranch in Bladenboro, North Carolina might include having some of the best pedigreed deer possible. Yet, for him and his wife Brooke, their daughter Eva and son Gavin, they are also very respected and revered livestock. “They may as well be dogs at our own home, we love them that much,” Tim said. “At the core of our farm is the primary goal to drive the best fallow pedigrees possible and produce high-quality breeding bucks. Secondly, to produce stocker bucks. Through A.I. we have invested in some of the biggest fallow bucks in the country.

Boot Swamp Ranch Growing Viable and Genetically Superior Fallow Deer

By: Gail Veley

But the farm also provides family time and the ambition to diligently care for and maintain healthy animals.”

Begun in 2022, Boot Swamp Ranch, named so after a water system that runs through it, exclusively raises fallow deer in Bladenboro, a town with deep agricultural roots, shaped by Native American heritage and early European settlement. Bladenboro, near where Tim was born and raised, was put on the map, so to speak, in 1859 after the railroad became established. Today, Boot Swamp Ranch encompasses an immense 300-acre spread and dedicates six (and soon

to be 12) acres to raising close to 60 fallow deer and counting. The remainder of the land on the farm is used mainly to raise loblolly pines, a fast-growing evergreen native to the southeastern United States and highly valued for providing lumbar, pulp, plywood and paper.

However, Tim’s desire to spend time at the ranch is perhaps, in part, due more to their beloved fallow deer, who thrive in naturally wooded pens where browsing and relaxing is clearly abundant. Inside each deer pen are the offspring of some of the most wellknown fallow deer in the industry such

as Mpressive (a son of Bullwinkle), Razor, Triple Find, Show Time, Big Rig, Big Wig and No Brainer. However, the ranch is also home to a breeding buck named Moonshot, a son of Game Changer, purchased two years ago as a two-year-old. Named after his chocolate-colored coat dappled in small gray star-like dots, Moonshot, the buck on this magazine’s cover, has finally taken to eating out of Tim’s hand. “He’s very chill,” Tim, 45, said. “You’ll find him lying in the shade under trees. He loves corn treats. When I feed alfalfa hay, he goes and lays right on top of it so he can have it all to himself. His paddles look bigger and better each year. We’re very happy to have him.”

Tim credits his love of fallow deer to his seasonal east Texas travels for hunting, where he was exposed to the deer industry. He also grew up experiencing the outdoors with his father, also named Tim, who would take his young son hunting and fishing, and today lends a consistent helping hand on the ranch. “Our whole family is very taken with the deer,” Tim (Jr.) said. “Deer farming is a very high yield investment per acre and teaches a great work ethic. Fallow deer, who are naturally resistant to CWD and as hearty as cattle, were the perfect choice for us. Hopefully, this ranch will be a legacy and a solid career opportunity for my children to perpetuate these incredible creatures.”

Join our Association!

Welcome to the Trio Trails Quarterly Magazine.

We are excited for you to explore the many industry articles, deer farming and vendor advertisements, and much more. We would like to encourage you to JOIN or RENEW your membership with any or all of these associations in support of keeping the Cervid Industry live and well.

Benefits you will experience as a member include:

• Quarterly Newsletters containing information, education, and an opportunity for you to advertise along with an emailed ebook each quarter.

• Invites to all State Association Events and National Events.

• Connections to other cervid breeders and preserves. Communications about recent events and legislation affecting your cervid operation.

• Member listing on our website, Free business card placement in the quarterly magazines, and periodic emails about upcoming events.

New York Deer and Elk Farmers Association

Upcoming Whitetail and Cervid Events

Trio Trails Magazine Deadlines 2026

Spring: March 24th

Summer: June 23rd

Fall: September 29th

Winter: December 29th

Use this QR Code or go online to DeerSites.com for more deadlines and up to date event information!

Indiana Deer & Elk Farmers Association - July 31-Aug 1st - Nappanee IN

KALA Summer Showcase - Aug 8, 2026

Missouri Deer Association Picnic & Meeting - Aug 8, 2026 - Clark, MO

Whitetail Deer Farmers of Ohio Convention - Aug 13-14, 2026

Pennsylvania Deer Farmers Association PA Eastern Fall Stocker Auction - Aug 29th - State College, PA

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

Iowa Whitetail Deer Farmers Winter Meeting - Feb 27, 2027 - Waterloo, IA

Pennsylvania Deer Farmers Association Winter Benefit Auction - Feb 26-27

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Oklahoma Treading New Territory with Releasing CWD Resistant Deer into the Wild

By: Tim Condict and Gail Veley • Sponsored by the Missouri Deer Association

In Oklahoma, deer farmers are breeding as fast as possible for genetic resistance, inspired by the passage in February 2024 of House Bill 3462, the Chronic Wasting Disease Improvement Act. HB 3462 made it possible this past spring to release deer that are “SS” and make the GEBV cutoff of -0.056 into wild populations. This was a “first” for Oklahoma and hopefully may set a precedent for other states to be given permission in the future by government agencies, to do the same.

“In the first part of 2026, we didn’t have such a surplus of resistant deer that we wanted to sell them just yet,” said Whitetails of Oklahoma (WOO) Vice President Tim Condict. “But we still put some on the ground just to break the ice. Most likely it will be 2028 before we have enough to actually sell quite a few.” The state tested more than 500 wild deer last year and got the results in March, indicating that around 40% had one or more “S” marker and only about 2.5% had “SS” markers. The wild deer also had an average GEBV score of -0.000. In other words, they could use some help. CWD continues to be found around the Oklahoma border (especially Arkansas) with a few cases inside the border having been found in Northwest Oklahoma. “The Oklahoma Department of Agriculture continues to be fantastic at helping the breeders to be able to help the landowners who want to protect their property and wildlife from developing a significant prevalence rate,” Condict said. “We figured to cover the state it would take around 2,000 bred does. So, it’s not going to happen immediately, but other states sitting on their hands or

adopting failed policies when there is an available answer, seems to me, to be close to a dereliction of their duty.”

Condict feels other states should look at adopting a similar program to assist Mother Nature in her drawnout process of making the wild deer population more resilient. Just the mere introduction of genetic diversity upon the landscape could make the wild deer much healthier and robust, along with resistance to CWD. “The cool thing about the Oklahoma law is the fact that it doesn’t cost the wildlife agency or the taxpayers a penny,” Condict explained. “The deer are purchased by private landowners and released with an orange tag in each ear on their property. Hopefully landowners will spread the word to not harvest those animals. In a lot of states, the public is fed up with an agencies approach to CWD. As bad as they hate to admit it, genetic durability is the only answer.”

Condict and each member of WOO believe it would be great if the state wildlife agencies around the country could work with breeders and together, help slow the growth of the prevalence of CWD in the wild herds,

to better protect both wild and farmed herds. “Hopefully, everyone will start reaching out to their own state legislators and senators to educate them on the facts surrounding CWD and the ability of using deer breeders to solve it,” Condict said. “CWD will never be gone but the idea is to limit its relevance. Many breeders around the state have great pedigreed bucks with great GEBV’s and “SS” markers with reasonably priced semen to assist everyone across the nation with the ability to protect your farm. We look forward to the day when wildlife agencies across the country fully welcome the news of a solution to the problem, after 60 years of failure. We really appreciate the support we have received from our state, and the help we have received from Dr. Christopher Seabury and NADR to actively address our concerns in Oklahoma.”

HOW TO TRACK A WOUNDED DEER

By: Gail Veley • Kentucky Alternative Livestock Association

The last thing any hunter wants is a wounded deer, rather than a quick and clean shot. Any ethical hunter will develop the bow or rifle skill needed to make an ethical shot in the heart or lungs. Yet, simply wounding a deer, rather than having this precise aim, does happen. Losing track of where a wounded deer has retreated to, could turn into a challenge. “There are three ways to track them,” explained Ethan Woosley of Single Creek Whitetails in Litchfield, Kentucky. “There’s the old-fashioned way. Wait 30 minutes and follow the blood trail. Waiting gives the deer time to settle down and expire. If you track them immediately, which most people want to do, they will spook and just keep running. But if you wait, they might have expired by the time you find them.”

Drones are perhaps a more efficient and popular way to track a wounded deer, as drones equipped with thermal imaging can pick up the heat emitted from a blood trail. It could also help guarantee that you won’t lose the deer entirely. “We’ve only had one situation where we thought we lost a deer,” Woosley said. “It was about 15 years ago. “The deer had run down a hill and fell up under some brush, and it was nearly impossible to find him. It took a couple of hours. When we did, he was dead. Having a drone might have saved us a lot of time.”

Using a tracking dog is yet another way to find a wounded deer. For Kenzie Taylor, owner of Kentucky K9 Deer Tracking out of Madisonville, Kentucky, she and her five-yearold Bavarian Mountain Hound, Liebe, track “on lead” an average of 100 times per season which

runs from Labor Day through the second week of January. Her fees are indicative of travel time and whether or not the deer is found. “Deer will emit the stress hormone cortisol through their hooves when they are injured, and dogs can track that,” Taylor said. “The hardest deer to track and find is one that is hit in the intestines during the rut. These bucks are so fueled by testosterone and adrenaline that pain isn’t as prevalent, so they may not emit enough hormone to track them. The dogs are trained to follow specific hoof tracks of the wounded deer, but because of being in the rut, it’s like the deer don’t even know how badly they are hit at times!” Now in their sixth hunting season together, Taylor even further appreciates Liebe’s natural ability to “cold nose track,” meaning for a hunt that is at least 10 hours old.

However, for Patrick Shanley, owner of Twisted Tines Ranch in

Williamstown, Kentucky, he and his clients have never had the misfortune of losing a deer. “We take preventive measures of first making ethical shots,” he shared. “That is the goal. We take clients to our shooting range and spend enough time until they are sufficient with whatever weapon they are using. Any approved shot from our guides is about half of what the client is truly qualified to shoot at, for both firearms and bow hunting. If you shoot from 50 yards, you have a 75 percent or better chance of making it. This applies to hunting from deer blinds, deer stands or from within the woods. Practice is everything. No one wants to take unsuccessful aim and end up with a wounded deer. If a shot is not mortal, we quickly dispatch a drone. This happens less than one percent of the time.”

Trophy Breeder Bucks

Showcase Book 2026 Application

Reservation for space and buck info will be due no later than August 12th, 2026. 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 19 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

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ONLINE AT MCCLUNG SALES: JULY 2026

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.

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Dedication is exactly what every successful deer farmer learns and what Stefanowicz now exuberates not just in owning and operating Awesome Whitetails in Middlebury Center, Pennsylvania with her husband Jason, but also in her job as an Accounts Receivable staff member for D & K Design. D & K Design, producer of 11 quarterly state deer association magazines, saw Stefanowicz as the perfect fit for the job.

“I’ve known Amy for years, along with Jason,” said D & K Design Magazine Editor Kathy Giesen. “When I heard that Amy was looking for a part-time job, Jason joked that she could come work for me. Well, I took him up on it. Amy is very personable, well-known in the deer industry and very detail oriented. We are so glad to have her on board.”

As a young girl growing up on a hobby farm near Telford, Pennsylvania where

Amy Stefanowicz

“Amy with all of her kids”

as devoted to their deer as she and Jason are, as it allows her and Jason to attend industry events on a fairly regular basis.

~ Amy

Summer Sausage Hash

Summer sausage crisped with golden potatoes and onions, lifted by a sharp mustard seed vinaigrette. Cozy, rustic, and elevated enough for a weekend brunch.

IngredIents

• 8 oz Venison Summer Sausage, sliced into ¼-inch coins

• 1 lb Yukon Gold potatoes, diced small

• 1 Yellow onion, diced

• 1 tsp Fresh thyme, chopped

• 3 Tbsp Olive oil

• Salt, to taste

• Black pepper, to taste

InstructIons

Mustard Seed Vinaigrette

• 1 Tbsp Grainy mustard

• 1 tsp Dijon mustard

• 2 Tbsp White wine vinegar

• 1 tsp Honey

• 4 Tbsp Olive oil

• Salt, to taste

• Black pepper, to taste

• Directions

• In a mixing bowl, whisk together grainy mustard, Dijon mustard, vinegar, and honey.

• Slowly stream in olive oil while whisking until emulsified. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.

1. Heat olive oil in a cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add potatoes and cook, stirring occasionally, until beginning to crisp, about 8–10 minutes.

2. Add onion and thyme, cook until softened and lightly caramelized, 5–6 minutes.

3. Push vegetables to the side, add sausage coins, and sear until browned on both sides. Toss everything together and season with salt and black pepper.

4. In a mixing bowl, whisk together grainy mustard, Dijon mustard, vinegar, and honey. Slowly stream in olive oil while whisking until emulsified. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.

5. Transfer hash to a platter or individual plates.

6. Drizzle with mustard seed vinaigrette and serve immediately.

7. Spoon hash onto a warm platter, drizzle vinaigrette lightly, and garnish with extra thyme leaves.

NADEFA 2026 FLY-IN

In April, NADeFA members from across the country gathered in Washington, D.C., for the 2026 Fly-In to advocate for critical funding in the fight against Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD). Representatives from Oklahoma, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Texas, Alabama, Missouri, North Dakota, New York, Ohio, North Carolina, Kansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, and West Virginia met with their respective lawmakers to underscore the urgent need for federal support. NADeFA members had a total of 85 meetings, including with House and Senate offices from both Democratic and Republican offices, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and industry partners. These meetings allowed members to educate Congressional members on CWD and reinforce the importance of NADeFA’s FY-27 appropriations requests.

NADeFA members advocated for two comple-mentary federal funding efforts to combat CWD. First, they supported providing $15 million under the Chronic Wasting Disease Research and Management Act to fund competitive grants for states, Tribes, universities, and researchers to study disease transmission, develop vaccines and live diagnostic tests, identify genetic resistance, and expand management and education efforts. Second, they called for $17.5 million for the Cervid Health Appropriations Program, including $12.5 million for the CWD Herd Certification Program and surveillance activities, and $5 million for timely indemnity payments to remove infected animals.

As next steps, Capitol Hill Consulting Group will follow up with House and Senate Appropriations staff, the USDA, Senator John Hoeven, and House Agriculture Committee Chair GT Thompson on behalf of NADeFA to further support the FY-27 appropriations requests.

Appropriations Update

After receiving the President’s budget request, the House and Senate Appropriations Committees started to draft their 12 annual appropriations bills. The House Appropriations Committee has released the schedule for FY27 appropriations bill markups, where each Subcommittee will review its bill. The first markup was held on April 17, with the last one scheduled for June 24. The Senate has yet to release its markup schedule, as they are still holding hearings with agencies to discuss the President’s budget request.

Conclusion

As Congress continues to shape federal funding and longterm agricultural priorities, NADeFA remains steadfast in its mission to advocate for meaningful support in the fight against CWD. NADeFA is committed to ensuring the cervid industry has the resources it needs. We’ll continue to work closely with lawmakers, agency partners, and stakeholders to keep CWD at the forefront of federal policy discussions. Thank you for your continued support as we advance this important work.

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 the email address below.

This gives NYDEFA, CDA & WVDFA 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.

NY Email to: dana@abcmailbox.net or call Dana at: 315-595-2202

WV Email to: mark.cobb@gmail.com or call Mark at: 304-532-4514

NC Email to: Joshua Young pr@carolinadeerassociation.org 260-517-8075