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OCTOBER 2026 | FALL

Inside This Issue: 24

Featured

Content Advertisers Index.................................................. 47

Feature Farm Story: Mountain Side Whitetails

Dream Genomics: Deep into Phase Two of CWD Cutting Edge Technology

Increase Chances of Hunting Success with Properly Placed Trail Cameras, Deer Stands and Scent Hiding

Kansas USDA Research Proving Valuable for EHD Management

Breeding for CWD Resistance: How is this done with respect to proven production and marketability?

Business Cards........................................ 38, 41, 42 Magazine Advertising Information....................... 46 Magazine Deadlines............................................. 13 Recipe: Venison Crunchwraps........................... 48 New York Deer and Elk Farmers Association Board of Directors.................................................. 5 Membership Application....................................... 7 Carolina Deer Association Board of Directors................................................ 20 Membership Application / Members............... 23 Events........................................ Inside Front Cover Meet the Members......................................................22 President’s Message......................................................21 West Virginia Deer Farmers Association Board of Directors ............................................... 11 President’s Message............................................ 12 Membership Application..................................... 15 New Members WELCOME!................................. 13 New Website Information................................... 14 Summer in WV!................................................16-17

WINTER DEADLINE DECEMBER 29TH, 2026

3 3

Board of Directors 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

Tom Peryea

518-561-3555 tomselkranch@juno.com

Tim Rater

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

Mike Rosenwie

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

Mike Czora

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Wayne Hettenbaugh

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Board of Directors

Carolina Deer Association

Director: Finance Tim Bridgers

President Brandon Clewis Director: NC Regional Development Phillip Briley

Vice President Jason Watson Director: Public Relations Joshua Young

Secretary Tina Moore Director: North American Development Nash Murray

Treasurer Grace Clewis

Leading the charge for effective change in the cervid industry in North Carolina by working together with a strong team! pr@carolinadeerassociation.org

260-517-8075 / CarolinaDeerAssociation.org 20

President’s Message Fa l l

2 0 2 6

Carolina Deer Association

Letter From the President On behalf of the Carolina Deer Association, I want to thank the deer farmers, breeders, businesses, and families across the country who continue to support and strengthen this industry. Those of us involved in deer farming understand the time, work, investment, and dedication it takes to build a successful operation. We also know how important relationships are within this industry. Some of the best ideas, opportunities, and friendships come from working together, sharing knowledge, and supporting one another. Here in North Carolina, our association is focused on strengthening those connections, supporting our members, promoting responsible deer farming, and helping create opportunities for the next generation of producers. We are proud to be part of a nationwide industry made up of people who are constantly working to improve their herds, their farms, and the future of deer farming. As President of the Carolina Deer Association, I am proud of the direction our association is heading and thankful for everyone who continues to invest their time and energy into this industry. There is a lot of opportunity ahead of us, and I believe our industry is strongest when associations, farms, and producers across the country continue working together. Thank you for what you do for deer farming and for helping move this industry forward. We look forward to building new relationships, strengthening old ones, and continuing to represent the Carolinas proudly within the national deer farming community. Sincerely, Brandon Clewis President Carolina Deer Association

Membership Application

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

Total: ________________ Check: #___________ Credit Card ____ Name: ________________________________________________________________________________ Farm Name/Company:________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Membership Address:______________________________________ City:___________________ State:____________ Zip:____________County______________________ Main preferred listing phone: _________________________________________ Alternate listing phone:________________________________________________________ Fax:________________________________ Email:_____________________________________________ WebSite:_______________________________________________ Check which apply ___:Own Hunting Preserve

___Own Breeding Operation ___Industry Supplier Species Raised: ___ Whitetail Deer ___Elk ___Mule Deer Other Species Raised:_____________________________________

Products I Offer: __ Meat

__ Industry Supplies

__Velvet Antler

__ Feed

__ Nutritional Supplements ___Vaccine ___Graphic Design & or Web Design

Other Products or Services:____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

I hereby make application for membership to these associations, agreeing to conform to the Code of Ethics and Bylaws governing the associations. Signature: __________________________________________________________________________ Date:____________________________________________________

I give permission to have my contact information published in the annual directory and on the website

Yes

Please mail applications to: Josh Young pr@carolinadeerassociation.org 260-517-8075 23

FEATUR ED

FA RM

S T O RY

mountain side W H IT E TAI L S

HAPPY TO THRIVE IN A STRONG INDUSTRY By: Gail Veley

ana Hoover, owner of Mountainside Whitetails in Penn Yay, New York, can’t decide what he’s more excited about. Is it starting a second deer farm in Penn Yan with his brother and sisterin-law, Roy and Mary Zimmerman, starting a herd of black buck antelope, potentially raising melanistic and piebald deer, or the satisfaction that he’s reliably breeding for CWD resistant deer? There is one thing above all, however, he’s very happy about. “The market is super strong,” he said. “We’ve had some of the best stocker buck auctions we’ve had in a long, long time. Now is the perfect time to be part of the deer industry.” Close to 60 deer reside within a lush and abundant landscape at Mountainside Whitetails, where Hoover welcomed several well-bred fawns this past spring. Two fawns, however, have got his complete attention. One is a buck fawn out of Hoover’s homegrown buck Expedition whose GEBV score is minus 2. The other fawn, a doe,

is out of Megastar with a GEBV of minus 3. “She is going to be the future foundation of my herd,” Hoover, 39, explained. “I’ll be breeding her to very best buck I can possibly find. There is a bigger demand for genetically resistant deer than there are available deer. And there is always room for improvement. I’d like to have a whole herd that is at least minus 2.”

the management of bucks as they mature and become ready for the stocker market. Coinciding with the expansion of Hoover’s operation is the diversification of the herd as well. Along with raising black buck antelope, Hoover is also hopeful that he will acquire both piebald and melanistic embryos to use for this year’s breeding season.

Helping to perpetuate Hoover’s goal of raising substantial and typical framed deer, are other quality bucks such as yearlings out of Expedition and a Rambler son out of an Expedition daughter. However, some of the 2027 fawns will be “an exciting cross on Heavy Hitter and Cruiser over a High Riser sister,” Hoover said. “We’re really looking forward to that.”

“I’m very grateful for all the opportunities that my family and I have in being a part of the deer industry,” Hoover said. “I know a lot of really good people and truly value my customers. If it weren’t for them, we wouldn’t have anything. I sell deer to several states and always sell out of everything I have. I’m even cutting back on my hours working construction so I can be here to raise my deer and spend time with my family. When I think about where I’m at now, I would have never imagined all this ten years ago, when I thought it might be fun to just have a few pet deer.”

Because production at Mountainside Whitetails has gained considerable momentum, a second deer farm, three acres in size, is being created specifically to help bucks grow out. Also located in Penn Yan, Roy and Mary Zimmerman will oversee

DIVERSIFYING THE HERD

BLACKBUCK ANTELOPE

DREAM GENOMICS

DEEP INTO PHASE TWO OF CWD CUTTING EDGE TECHNOLOGY

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

ith Phase One for developing a blood test for early CWD detection essentially in their rearview mirror, scientists at Dream Genomics, a visionary biotech firm started in 2023 and based out of Northbrook, Illinois, are now deeply entrenched in Phase Two, Biological Confirmation. This second phase is moving ever closer to finishing up, explained Dr. Gary M. Pusateri, CEO and Founder of Dream Genomics. Biological confirmation, Phase Two, entails gathering sample after sample from virtually anywhere CWD is detected in the U.S. and Canada in whitetails, mule deer and elk, and pinning down the specific genes that distinguish themselves as being the answer to the diagnosis of CWD. Phase Two has involved extensive travel, time, effort and research on behalf of Dr. Pusateri as well as Dr. Michael Falduto, Chief Technology Officer and Founder and Dr. Scott Magnuson, Chief Scientific Officer and Founder. The more testing that takes place during Phase Two, the closer they come to being 90 percent accurate

(or better) as to which specific genes reveal the presence of CWD, regardless of the location a deer farmer raises deer. As this dedicated trio of scientists works diligently to finish Phase Two and continue onto Phase Three, Assay Development, they are very grateful for those investors who have allowed their work to move forward. However, they are also hopeful that new investors will contribute in order to more fully guarantee their work can be seen to full fruition. “We aren’t connected to a university,” Dr. Pusateri explained. “We currently rely on support from our investors, grants and self-funding for everything that we do.” To come full circle in their gamechanging quest, Phase Three, the final phase, involves moving accurate and targeted samples onto PCR plates. Assuming CWD positive genes become paired down to the fewest specific and acutely accurate number needed for testing, more tests could be run per plate, therefore not costing a deer farmer as much money to test their herd. “This is why Phase Two is so important,” Dr. Pusateri explained.

“We want to ultimately be so accurate that both time and money are saved. We are doing whatever it takes to be at that point. We are looking at a 24hour turnaround once Phase Three becomes fully operational.” If any deer association, private individual or corporation is interested in donating or investing in Dream Genomics research, please contact Dr. Pusateri at his office at 847-2919602 or his cell phone at 715-8917878 or email him at gpusateri@ dreamgx.com. Potential investors can also check out the website at www:dreamgx.com. “The best part about supporting our research is that you have two very large opportunities to gain,” Dr. Pusateri said. “One, in making live diagnostics available to all and helping the entire industry permanently move forward. Secondly, with potential personal gains from investing in the company. If the USDA accredits this test, a deer that tests negative could potentially be moved anywhere, opening doors for deer farmers to completely flourish rather than be held back by regulations.”

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INCREASE CHANCES OF HUNTING SUCCESS WITH PROPERLY PLACED TRAIL CAMERAS, DEER STANDS AND SCENT HIDING By: Gail Veley • Sponsored by the United Deer Farmers of Michigan

t was the early 1980’s, and students at Missouri State University were deep in the woods, thoughtfully stretching a thin line of string, low and across a well-traveled deer path. They had just invented, so to speak, the first active infrared device to study deer behavior. One trip of the string by an unknowing cervid would capture one brief moment, until the string was reset. This unique device later led to the creation of the first trail camera, which caught images using a 35-millimeter camera triggered by infrared signals. “When trail cameras first started gaining real popularity, in the early 2,000’s, they were only a novelty item,” explained Tom Nelson of Grand Ledge, Michigan. “In about 2005 more and more people were using them. But they were in their infancy stage and hard to install.”

Using these cameras involved putting a camera card in a reader, physically retrieving the card, checking the photos and potentially leaving a lot of human scent behind. Today, trail cameras include GPS and wireless tracking abilities, making the ability to check them remotely much easier, but perhaps a time-consuming or addictive 24/7 activity. Trail cameras changed everything for hunters and for those who don’t want to merely hunt “old school” and be surprised at what they encounter. Placing a trail camera to track trophy treasures is a bit of an art. “You need to use trees that are at least close to 12 inches in diameter to put the attachment strap around, and then off the trail a bit so they are harder to notice,” Nelson said. “About waist high is pretty good with very few obstacles around so you get a good look at the landscape.”

Wearing rubber gloves to install cameras will also help hide your scent and detract from educating deer as to where humans may have been. And whether you are checking one camera or 10, careful camera placement might also ensure it doesn’t get stolen, as good ones can cost as much as $300. While cameras can reveal a lot about native and transient deer activity, “I’ve heard hunters say that they’re not going hunting because they had nothing on their camera,” Nelson shared. “But a couple years ago I shot a prize buck on my property, and I never had a picture of him. So, I say you should go hunting regardless of what you find.” Cameras, in addition to tracking game, can also help determine the best location for a morning versus an evening deer stand. Ideally, choosing

a deer stand location preseason could allow you pick an adequate cover tree such as an older or mature oak or pine, with ample branches or leaves that stay on longer in the fall to help provide camouflage. With this type of cover “deer will walk right by you.” Nelson said. While the first tree stands amounted to a wooden seat affixed to a wooden ladder, the idea of hiding from your prey can be attributed to Native Americans, who used to dig holes in the ground to hide from and ambush their next meal. Yet, the idea of being on higher ground for hunting eventually took precedence, hence the invention of the first commercial tree stand by Andy Anders. Initially produced in the 1940’s, Anders modeled his tree stand based on stands used by Japanese snipers in World War II. Today, rather than wood, tree stands are made primarily out of metal for longer durability. Often incorporated into deer stands are deer blinds. Instead of merely being used on the ground, they are frequently used as an additional component of the tree stand. They can be elevated eight, 10 or 20 feet high for more efficient vantage points and protection, replacing exposed platforms used to sight deer and with it, the necessity to wear a safety harness. “In choosing an ideal tree stand location you also always want to look for travel corridors and ridge lines in determining where your stand or blind will be,” Nelson said. “Deer tend to want to stay in cover

and utilize narrower passages going to food plots. Wind direction is an important factor, too, where your scent won’t be easily discovered. Having more than one tree stand could work in your favor especially if you have limited time. For the average hunter a tree stand or blind will pay off and better the chances that you will harvest something.” Nelson still remembers sitting stone quiet in a tree stand with a young, first-time hunter, when the hydraulic crack of his now opened soda can abruptly broke through the forest serenity. “I was not expecting that,” Nelson said. “I just about jumped out of my skin. He still remembers that, and he’s never done it since.” Thus, Nelson also recommends carrying hand snippers to clear anything you might brush up against while entering or exiting a tree stand or blind, adding to the ability to be as silent and undetected as possible. Eliminating unnecessary noise and disguising your personal scent can

further ensure greater hunting success. In knocking your scent down, deer may never detect your presence or might think you trekked through an area hours ago, or even the day before rather than recently. “The goal is to be as 100 percent as scent-free as you can,” Nelson said. “Shower with unscented soap and use unscented detergent for laundry. Hang your clothes outside to dry and keep them sealed in a plastic bag until you have arrived at your hunting destination to change. Wear rubber boots because they will not soak in scent.” Charcoal liners, found inside camouflage clothing, also absorb human scent. Ozone machines screwed into the tree of your stand location can help create an ozone layer knocking down human scent. In addition, using doe or buck urine can both attract deer and cover human scent. Lastly, Nelson strongly suggests carrying a few important items with you on every hunt. These include a knife, flashlight, toilet paper, a snack such as granola bars, water in a nonplastic bottle and a cord-of-rope. “Remember that while they are ways to make hunting easier, hunting really isn’t supposed to be easy,” Nelson emphasized. “I had a friend who would wear a flannel shirt and never camouflage and hunted the old-fashioned way walking through the woods. He wasn’t always successful, but he had a great time. Sometimes it’s more about the adventure, and being out in nature, that’s most important.”

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KANSAS USDA RESEARCH PROVING VALUABLE FOR EHD MANAGEMENT By: Gail Veley • Kansas Elk and Deer Association

n search of a “silver bullet,” the USDA-Agricultural Research Service (ARS) in Manhattan, Kansas is making notable strides in the management of midges that can cause EHD. Through their vast and tedious research and discoveries about pesticides and midge behaviors, the USDAARS is helping Kansas deer farmers make more informed decisions as to how they handle or control midges on their farms. “We are so pleased that someone cares about how EHD affects our deer farms,” said KEDA Treasurer Karla Kretchmer. “EHD kills far more deer than CWD, and EHD is found everywhere.” Leading the charge for the USDA-ARS are research entomologists Dr. Phillip Shults and Dr. Bethany McGregor of the Arthropod Borne Animal Diseases Research Unit (ABADRU). A common factor in any midge related research project has revealed that while a wide variety of midge species occur in every mid-western and southern state and beyond, one primary vector, the Culicoides sonorensis, is found in every one of those regions. It has proven its adaptability in a wide variety of environments. Although many other midge species co-exist with Culicoides sonorensis, learning more about the behavioral habits of this particular midge species could be a key factor in greater population control, as colonies have already been established at ABADRU, thereby enabling quicker and more efficient research studies.

at multi-layered protection for integrated pest management,” Dr. Shults explained. “Not just from a vaccine standpoint but with a goal of preventing host infection by killing the insect with pesticides timed and applied in the most effective manner.” To that end, genetic modification and sterilization of midges has also been a point of focus. However, the task may not be cost effective considering their size and mating behavior. “Midges do not just mate once and they are very small, making something such as radiation difficult,” Dr. Shults said. “Through our efforts we have certainly crossed paths with other organizations like CHeRI in Florida, who are working towards the same types of goals that we are.” Dr. Shults and his team attended NADeFA in Sandusky, Ohio in 2026, presenting their most recent findings

and offering recommendations to attendees. “It was a little disheartening not to have the silver bullet answer that everyone is looking for,” he said. “But we’ve made huge strides. Science always builds upon itself. By providing data and guidance, we test ways to solve problems that lead us in more informed directions.” While field testing for effective midge control is exclusive to Kansas deer farms at this point in time, Dr. Shults and his team may conduct such testing at out-of-state deer farms in the future. Both Dr. Shults and Dr. McGregor have been invited to speak at the next KEDA Annual Event on February 26th, 2027, and share news about their research. All are strongly encouraged to come and learn more about their valuable discoveries.

Recently, Dr. McGregor began working directly with deer farms in close proximity to Manhattan, Kansas, in an effort to evaluate a particular farm’s methods for controlling midges and thereby making suggestions to further enhance their efforts. “Naturally, we are looking

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FREE business card ads for members of NYDEFA, WVDFA, and CDA 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: nydefa18@gmail.com or call 518-383-2200

WV Email to: Info.wvdfa@gmail.com or call Megan Pakradooni at: 304-661-1300

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

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BREEDING FOR CWD RESISTANCE HOW IS THIS DONE WITH RESPECT TO PROVEN PRODUCTION AND MARKETABILITY? By: Gail Veley • Sponsored by The Whitetail Deer Farmers of Ohio

he fastest way to get to negative GEBV’s such as -.3 or -.2 or better, is to use deer that have SS markers and negative GEBV values, offers Ivan Hochstetler of Double H Whitetails, 25-acre deer farm in Mt. Eaton, Ohio. However, proven production and pedigree can also play a huge part in exactly how you arrive at having such a herd. Many deer farmers simply do not own (at this point) quality breeding bucks that are SS with negative GEBV breeding values. Yet it seems “every year a good buck comes out with good markers,” Hochstetler said. “For us, we buy SS semen with negative GEBV values from privately owned farms.” The push to breed for SS markers and negative values and the realization that it was going to become necessary, began about five years ago, Hochstetler believes. Three years ago, things got more serious. For Hochstetler and his herd of powerhouse GG does, he knew he needed a strategy. In breeding his

Black Widow @ 4

proven and very valuable GG does to SS bucks with negative GEBV values, he is now producing GS deer and some SS negative breeding values. He has also not culled any deer but rather has sold some to hunting preserves. If all goes according to plan, in five years Double H Whitetails will see a huge impact as a result of their breeding decisions and have their very own SS bucks for breeding. “We’ve tested our offspring, and they are more and more resistant with each breeding cycle,” Hochstetler said. Utilizing your current herd while working towards resistance breeding is a strategy that Joe and Crissy Johnson, owners of 7-acre Whiskey River Whitetails in East Sparta, Ohio are also abiding by. “We are doing a mix and not giving up proven production and pedigree,” Joe Johnson said. “Ninety-five percent of our deer are foundation deer to Ms. Patrick, a line that has proven itself for decades and decades.” When Whiskey River Whitetails first got started three years ago, they acquired GG deer as starting stock for raising typical deer. Today, they use semen from SS bucks and have subsequently acquired GS offspring. “In a couple years we hoping to have phased out the GGs and have our very own SS big clean typical breeding bucks,” Johnson added.

Daybreak @ 3 works for you and your farm,” he said. “Everyone has their own opinion on what is best for them.” Going forward, Hochstetler feels that currently, “there’s not enough people selling markered does, but as that begins to happen it might be harder to afford to acquire them, especially for the new deer farmer,” he explained. However, while this may or may not prove to be a stumbling block “deer farmers are the solution to CWD and I feel having a reliable markered herd is what we’re all going to need, along with the indisputable proof from NADR that it’s real.”

While solid scientific proof points to the understandable justification for SS production, things can and often do change quickly in the deer industry. Therefore, Johnson, 47, believes his decision to preserve pedigree and proven production is a solid one, no matter what the latest trends may be or could become. “At this point I say ‘to each his own’ in finding what

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Kathy Giesen

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Samantha Uchytil

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Amy Stefanowicz

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Gail Veley

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venison Crunchwraps Venison 1 pound Ground Venison 2 teaspoons Worcestershire Sauce 1 teaspoon Salt 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder 1 teaspoon Onion Powder ½ teaspoon Black Pepper 2 tablespoons Water

Sauce ½ cup Mayonnaise 2 tablespoons Diced Pickles (or Dill Pickle Relish) 1 tablespoon Yellow Mustard 1 tablespoon Ketchup 2 teaspoons White Vinegar 1/2 teaspoon Paprika

for the crunchwraps 4 Burrito Size Flour Tortillas, Warmed 4 Taco Size Flour Tortillas 4 Tostadas 8 Slices American or Cheddar Cheese 2 tablespoons Finely Chopped White Onion 2 tablespoons Diced Pickles ½ cup finely Shredded Lettuce

instructions 1

Make the sauce: in a small bowl, add mayonnaise, diced pickles, yellow, mustard, ketchup, apple cider vinegar, sugar, and paprika. Mix the ingredients together and then sit in the fridge until you’re ready to serve.

Preheat a large skillet or griddle to medium high heat with a tablespoon of oil. Once preheated, add in the ground venison and cook it until it’s brown breaking it up as it cooks. Season all over with Worcestershire sauce salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper. Add in water and mix until the seasonings are well distributed. Removed from heat.

To assemble the crunch wraps, start with one warmed burrito size tortilla. It’s important that the burrito is warmed so that it doesn’t rip while wrapping. Add a thin layer of the sauce, then top with 1/4 of the ground venison and add two slices of cheese. Top with the tostada, add some more sauce and top with shredded lettuce, diced onion and diced pickles. Top the filling it a taco sized tortilla and wrap up the edges of the burrito sized tortilla around the taco size tortilla so that they are overlapping.

4 5

Continuous assembling the remaining crunch wraps until you run out of ground venison. Take the assembled crunch wraps back to your skillet or griddle. Place them down and let them cook for one or two minutes to seal, adding oil to the skillet as needed. Flip over and let cook for another minute on the other side to toast it.

Serve ewnajorym! and