As a licensed Texas real estate professional and biologist with over 20 years of experience, we help discerning buyers acquire exceptional ranch properties and transform them into thriving wildlife and fisheries assets.
Too many ranches are bought on appearance alone. We evaluate what others overlook:
• Water systems
• Soil integrity
• Wildlife capacity
• Long-term ecological and financial value
We don’t just help you purchase land. We help you build a legacy.
From acquisition to strategic ranch development and sustainable wildlife management, every decision is guided by science, stewardship, and long-term vision.
Because premier land deserves premier expertise.
Blessed Bayou Land & Ranch
Ranch Real Estate • Wildlife & Fisheries
Development
• Land Stewardship
Serving Texas Ranch Buyers and Landowners
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.”
44 Front COVERs SELLING at Auctions THIS YEAR
From Deer to Here
BONUS: Showcase your Buck or Product across the ENTIRE COVER. Our new art template seamlessly integrates what you’re selling into a stunning full-page display + it comes with a FULL PAGE AD INSIDE.
+ 44 BACK COVER OFFERS
BONUS: YOUR AD + THEIR NAME Unforgettable back cover impact “Personalization meets prime real estate”
“Secure Your Spot on the 2026’s Most Coveted Front Covers!” - 2 page Center Spreads - Inside back covers - Inside front covers
A veriety of other prime advertising spots available:
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!
Scan QR Code to View the 2025 Magazine!
MK2™ Kit
Dependable Sedation Starts Here
Gentle on the animal and trusted by veterinarians, handlers and owners for every species or procedure
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.
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.
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.
SPREADING A POSITIVE DEER FARMING MESSAGE:
ADDITIONAL PERSPECTIVES FROM FELLOW DEER FARMERS
By: Gail Veley • Sponsored by the North Dakota Deer Rancher’s Association
The sense of responsibility that Mike Elsberry of Dakota Muleys in Grand Forks, North Dakota takes on in the raising of his mule deer includes more than just his farm, or his potential profits. “There are so few mule deer being raised, that if I stopped raising them their genetic pool would be damaged,” Elsberry, 42, said. “There is so much more on the line here than just me. There are so few mule deer in the wild, the numbers are down, and if their habitat won’t come back, they won’t come back. Sage grouse are right behind that. I’ve taken land not good for other types of farming and have found ways to restore these areas and build this ecosystem.”
Through Elsberry’s dedication and efforts, he also works to broaden and improve public perception of deer farming. “The fact that we raise them to harvest them should never even be in a conversation,” explained Elsberry, in regards to speaking with the general public. “Caring for my deer ranks right up there with caring for my own family. I can’t go to bed at night without knowing if they are okay. Making sure their water is working and that they have ample
food to eat. A deer can’t knock on the door to ask for something. They are completely dependent on you.”
At Crooked Tines Ranch in Bitely, Michigan, the long-range goal is not to just raise and sell deer, but to help get the community involved by offering field trips for school groups, hunts to disabled veterans and other activities, shared owners Ryan and Bob Randolph. “If you don’t know what’s happening behind a fence your curiosity gets the best of you,” Bob said. “Therefore, we want to educate people and invite them in to see and learn about what we do.”
In addition to the ecological, educational and conservational aspects of deer farming, perhaps the best contribution deer farmers have made in this regard is the effort to eradicate CWD. “Thanks to Dr. Christopher Seabury, deer breeders have a science-based answer to CWD,” said Daniel Thomas of Daniel Thomas Whitetails in Springhill, Louisiana. “CWD has been putting a lot of people out of business. In the meantime, we are working hard to breed the most resistant animals we can possibly have.” Understanding
the scientific perspective of raising deer is just as important as knowing that some farmers simply really enjoy raising deer. “Traditional livestock farmers might enjoy raising cattle,” said Kyle Techel of Far North Whitetails in Gaylord, Michigan. “Likewise, vegetarians grow plants with the intention of eating them. We are so used to eating cattle or chicken and think nothing of it. Deer farming is based on the same principles. It’s the fastest growing alternative livestock agricultural industry. For some deer farmers it’s a business and for others, deer are like treasured pets. For some it’s a little of both.”
In conclusion “if you’re a deer farmer merely for the money, then it’s probably not for you,” Elsberry emphasized. “While transparency and making a profit are understandable goals, we need to continue to embrace our bigger role in this bigger picture that we find ourselves in.”
Whitetails of Louisiana Magazine Deadlines 2026
Spring: February 24th
Summer: May 26th
Fall: September 8th
Winter: December 1st
United Deer Farmers 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
West Virginia Deer Farmers Association Benefit & Online Auction - April 7-9
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!
Science that delivers the health & productivity you require
G FORC E™
SCIENTIFICALLY FORMULATED NATURAL SUPPLEMENT TO HELP GROW LARGE, HEALTHY DEER AND BIG ANTLERS!
Nutrient rich formula contains highly bioavailable ingredients, including our proprietary calcium/phosphorous complex with Antler D TM, that are required to support body and bone growth, especially for fast growing bucks
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
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
The 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 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.
While solid scientific proof points to the understandable justification for SS production, things can and often do change quickly in the deer
@ 3
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 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.”
Daybreak
Black Widow @ 4
LIGHTER WEIGHT.
EFFECTIVE. MINIMAL TRAUMA.
IF YOU HAVEN’T TRIED PNEU-DART’S RDDS, YOU’RE MISSING MORE THAN YOUR TARGET
Did you know impact trauma can negatively influence medical treatment? We do. Which is why we’ve spent 55+ years perfecting the ideal remote delivery device. Shorter in length and lightest on the market, our disposable RDDs, with patented Slo-Inject ® technology, provide ultimate accuracy while reducing the potential for problematic hematomas. Pneu-Dart. When you can’t afford to miss.®
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.”
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!
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.”
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
WHAT TO EXPECT IN CONGRESS IN 2026
This year, Congress and the administration will face several major deadlines and policy decisions that are expected to shape the legislative agenda. Lawmakers will work to avoid another government shutdown while attempting to advance unfinished priorities, including full-year appropriations and reauthorization of the farm bill. At the same time, trade policy, court rulings, and the upcoming midterm elections are expected to influence both congressional activity and the broader political environment.
Appropriations
Congress must pass full-year spending bills or a short-term funding extension before January 30 in order to prevent another government shutdown. Neither the Democrats or Republicans are understood to want a repeat of last year’s shutdown, which was the longest in history. As of the week of January 5th, the Agriculture-FDA, Legislative Branch, Military ConstructionVeterans Affairs appropriations packages have been enacted through the Continuing Resolution which brought an end to last year’s shutdown. Congress has introduced appropriations bills for Commerce-Justice-Science, Energy and Water, and Interior-Environment which are expected to be passed by Congress before the January 30 deadline. No agreement has been reached on other appropriations measures.
Farm Bill
Agriculture Committees in both the House and the Senate will attempt to pass a five-year farm bill after the 2018 bill expired in 2023. While many policies that the farm bill provides have been continued through short-term extensions and the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, lasting updates to conservation, forestry, rural development, and the farm safety net were not extended. Senate Agriculture Chair John Boozman (R-AK) is committed to advancing a bill which includes increasing the limits on federally backed farm loans. However, there are concerns about staffing shortages at the Department of Agriculture after their workforce was cut by several thousand people last year.
In July, the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement is up for review. President Trump has indicated that he may pull out of the $1.5 trillion trade agreement rather than extend it for another 16 years. However, the agreement has been credited with protecting consumers from rising prices amid the President’s tariff regime, meaning the administration may choose to maintain the U.S.’ participation in the pact.
Tariffs
The Supreme Court will also issue a ruling on President Trump’s tariff policies by June at the latest. The court will issue a ruling on President Trump’s use of the International Emergency Economic
Powers Act to set 10-50 percent tariffs on most imports as well as duties on Mexico, Canada, and China to address fentanyl trafficking.
Midterm Elections
In November, Republicans will seek to maintain control of both the House of Representatives and the Senate in the midterms. Democrats are unlikely to win the 4 seats they need to take control of the Senate. However, Republicans have a very thin majority in the House, so Democrats are widely expected to win control of that chamber. As a result, Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) is anticipated to become the House Speaker after the elections. In order to secure this victory, Democrats are expected to continue to campaign on affordability, how tariffs affect affordability, and the release of the Epstein Files.
Congressional Maps
The congressional map may be reshaped before the November midterm elections. After Texas began a redistricting effort to secure 5 extra Republican seats, states across the country have redrawn their maps. Republicans in Florida and Kansas as well as Democrats in Virginia, Illinois, and Maryland will continue the redistricting effort this year ahead of the elections.
Overall, the year ahead is expected to be defined by shortterm legislative solutions, election-year politics, and movement around trade and economic policy. While Congress is likely to move forward on must-pass items such as appropriations, progress on longer-term priorities may take a back seat. With the midterm elections approaching and potential changes to congressional maps, political considerations are expected to play a significant role in shaping outcomes across policy areas.
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 Whitetails of Louisiana 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.
Email to:
Myra Bollinger whitetailsoflouisiana@gmail.com
Ultimate Venison Meatballs
Enjoy these easy baked venison meatballs with your favorite sauce and pasta for a hearty, comforting meal. They’re tender and meaty without any gamey taste. A crowd-pleasing way to enjoy ground venison!
Ingredients
• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
• 1 small red or yellow onion, diced (about 1 cup )
• 4 large cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon dried tarragon
• 1 pound ground venison
• 1/2 pound ground pork
• 1 egg, or flax egg
• 1/4 cup oat flour or breadcrumbs
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 375°F.
2. Add olive oil to a skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add onion to the pan and cook until slightly softened, about 4 minutes. Add balsamic vinegar, garlic, herbs, salt and pepper and cook an additional 2 minutes. Turn off heat and let cool for a couple of minutes.
3. Meanwhile, add the remaining ingredients to a large mixing bowl. Add the cooled onion mixture and using clean hands mix together until thoroughly combined.
4. Using a medium cookie scoop, roll the mixture into balls and place on the baking sheet.
5. Bake for 22-25 minutes until the meatballs are cooked through and golden brown.
6. Use as desired or freeze for use at a later date.
Word Search
SUDOKU
The rules for sudoku are simple:
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.
Adventure
Backyard
Barbecue
Butterflies
Canoeing
Festivals
Fireworks
Gardening
Hayride
Strawberries
Sunshine Watermelon
I AM JOINING AS: (PLEASE CHECK ONE) ACTIVE MEMBERSHIP (VOTING PRIVILEGES): $100.00/YR.
ASSOCIATE MEMBERSHIP (NON- VOTING): $50.00/YR.
LIFETIME MEMBERSHIP (VOTING PRIVILEGES): $750.00
I HEREBY MAKE APPLICATION TO THE WHITETAILS OF LOUISIANA AND I CERTIFY THAT THE INFORMATION I HAVE PROVIDED IS TURE AND CORRECT TO THE BEST OF MY KNOWLEDGE:
Mission and Purpose :
To promote the business of raising and marketing Whitetail Deer in the state of Louisiana.
To promote high ethical standards in the care, handlin g, and harvesting Whitetail deer
To provide educational opportunities for members of the corporation and other interested people through the sharing of inform ation concerning whitetail deer.
To serve as a collective voice in governmental issues that affec t whitetail deer producers, so as to enhance the whitetail deer industry. To require members of the corporation to operate in a legal, honest and forthright manner with fellow members, other whitetai l deer producers and the general public
• United Deer Farmers of Michigan
• West Virginia Deer Farmers Association
• Whitetail Deer Farmers of Ohio
• Whitetails of Louisiana
• Whitetails of Oklahoma
Buckaneer
Package: *
44 ISSUES FOR 1 YR.
Reaching out to over 2500 members (11 Publications x 4 quarters)
19 State Associations - Approx. 2500 readers
$200 / Issue ($8815. / Yr) ~ Full Page
$113 / Issue ($4990. / Yr.) ~ Half Page (55-59% Discount off single ad placement)
Yearling Package:
*
4 ISSUES FOR 1 YR.
(1 Publication x 4 quarters)
$267 / Issue ($1069. / Yr) ~ Full Page
Doe-Re-Mi Package:
16 ISSUES FOR 1 YR. (4 Publications of your choice x 4 quarters)
$233 / Issue ($3730. / Yr) ~ Full Page
$128 / Issue ($2052. / Yr.) ~ Half Page (48-54% Discount off single ad placement)
$145 / Issue ($581. / Yr.) ~ Half Page (40-48% Discount off single ad placement)
Magazine ANNUAL
$540 ~ Full Page*
$250 ~ Per Quarter Page
$135 ~ Per Quarter Page - Current Advertiser in quarterly magazines.
$180 ~ Per Quarter Page
- Current Member of any of the Associations we serve
* Must be a current advertiser, limited space available
L OUISIANA D EPARTMENT OF A GRICULTURE & F ORESTRY
