Pennsylvania Deer Farmers Association
BREEDING FOR CWD RESISTANCE: How is this done with respect to proven production and marketability?
Sponsored by WDFO
FUNNIEST DEER NAMES
Shared Stories from Fellow Deer Farmers
Sponsored by SETDA
MEDGENE LABS
Looks to Unveil Prescription Platform Vaccines for Use in White-tailed Deer in 2026
Sponsored by MDA
Winter 2025 l Volume 8 l Issue 4
PRESIDENT
Josh Newton (2028)
Deer Wizard LLC
285 Dunwoody Rd
Williamsport, PA 17701
Cell Phone: 484-951-3229
Email: deerwizard64@gmail.com
Samuel King
Rocky Top Whitetails
6285 Engletown Road Honey Brook , PA 19344
Phone: (717) 768-0645
Email: samuel@keystonesteelstructures.com
VICE PRESIDENT
Jarrid Barry (2026)
Jarrid Barry (2026)
Powder Ridge Outfitters
PO Box 6
Hollidaysburg, PA 16648
Cell: (717) 821-0669
Email: powderridgeoutfitters@ gmail.com
Lloyd Stoltzfus (2026)
Walnut Ridge Whitetails 142 Churchtown Rd.
Narvon, Pa. 17555
Office: (717) 768-3471
Email: wrwhitetails@yahoo.com
Ben Spangler (2028)
Big Vision Whitetails
10040 Cardinal Drive
Orrstown, PA 17244
Cell: (717) 816-4319
Email: benspangler1993@yahoo.com
Mike Lapp (2028)
Nationwide Scents
420 Weaver Road
Millersburg, PA 17061
Cell: (570) 425-2855
Email: mlapp@nationwidescents.com
John Ervin Stoltzfus
Rocky Ridge Whitetails
6099 Wanner Road
Narvon, PA 17555
Phone: (717) 768-3336
Email: rockyridgewts@gmail.com
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL
Andy Goodman, Partner
Milliron & Goodman
Governmental Relations
200 N. Third St.
Harrisburg, Pa. 17101
Office: 717-232-5322
Email: andy@millirongoodman.com
Kelsey Showalter
Office Administrator PO Box 66
Morgantown, PA 19543
Office: 717-801-0533
Email: office@padfa.com
Tucker Sellinger (2025)
The Valley Deer Farm 1506 Wells Road
Williamsport, PA 17702
Cell: 570-660-0143
Email: tuckersellinger@aol.com
Jason Stefanowicz (2027)
Awesome Whitetails
990 French Hill Road
Middleburg Center, PA 16935
Cell: (570) 418-3109
Email: awesomewhitetails2@gmail.com
Kelli Nelson (2028)
Deer Forest Farms
903 Deer Forest Road
York, PA 17406
Cell Phone: (717) 515-4049
Email:deerforestfarms@gmail.com
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL
Kerry Lange, Senior Associate
Milliron & Goodman Government Relations
Kerry Lange, Senior Associate
200 N. Third St.
Harrisburg, Pa. 17101
Office: 717-232-5322
Email: kerry@millirongoodman.com
s we close out the year and move into winter, I want to thank every member, volunteer, and supporting partner who helped make 2025 a productive and forward-moving year for Pennsylvania’s deer farming industry. My hope is that breeding season was a success for your operation, and that with the strong stocker market this year, you experienced a prosperous and rewarding fall season.
Board Elections & Leadership Update. This fall, PDFA welcomed three new members to the Board of Directors: Ben Spangler, Kelli Nelson, and Mike Lapp. We appreciate their willingness to serve and are excited for the experience and perspective they bring to the Association. The Board also elected its new slate of Executive Officers for the upcoming term:
- President: Josh Newton
- Vice President: Jarrid Barry
- Secretary: Lloyd Stoltzfus
- Treasurer: Sammy King
We thank each officer for their commitment to serving Pennsylvania’s deer farmers and strengthening PDFA’s direction moving into 2026.
We also had the privilege of recognizing two long-serving board members who have stepped down and retired from their positions. Bob Byers and Bruce Snyder were honored with awards for their many years of dedication, leadership, and service to PDFA.
A special congratulations to Bruce Snyder, who was inducted as the second member of the PDFA Hall of Fame, joining inaugural inductee Glenn Dice. Bruce’s contributions and decades of commitment to the cervid industry represent the very spirit of the Hall of Fame.
We are pleased to announce that Kelsey Showalter has joined PDFA as our new Office Administrator. As Kelsey becomes integrated into her role, we will be working closely with her to strengthen our internal processes and enhance the level of service we provide to our members.
We also want to extend our sincere appreciation to Tess Stevenson and the entire team at Milliron-Goodman Association Management for their years of support and dedication to PDFA. Their work has been instrumental in helping us operate smoothly, and we thank them for their commitment to our organization.
PDFA also has several important events on the horizon. In January, PDFA will once again participate in the Pennsylvania Farm Show in Harrisburg—an excellent opportunity to connect with
President’s Message Continued on page 8...
In addition, we are excited to announce the return of the PA Eastern Winter Classic Breeder & Benefit Auction That’s right—the Winter (previously Spring) event is coming back! More details will be released soon, and we look forward to seeing strong participation and continued growth for this revived event.
From the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, we have an updated CCMZ Order published in the Pennsylvania Bulletin. Our legislative team will be reviewing the changes in detail and will provide updates and feedback to the membership as we absorb and evaluate these revisions.
Thank you to everyone who attended and supported the PA Eastern Fall Classic this September. The turnout, consignor participation, and overall energy made this one of our strongest events in recent years. The board is reviewing member feedback, and we will use it to strengthen the 2026 event. Special thanks to our sponsors, consignors, volunteers, and the Blair County Convention Center for hosting another successful Classic.
This fall marked the first full cycle under our newly organized committee structure. Each committee has begun regular communication and is actively addressing its priorities:
- Legislative & Regulatory: Working with Milliron-Goodman to prepare for the 2026 legislative session, including early CWD and producer-rights discussions.
- Communications: Updating outreach materials and modernizing PDFA’s messaging.
- Fundraising: Enhancing our spring and fall events and exploring expanded raffles and sponsorships.
- By-Laws & Policy: Beginning a comprehensive review of organizational documents.
- Office & Administrative Review: Evaluating workflows and administrative systems to improve efficiency.
- Membership: Continuing to grow and engage our membership base.
- Budget: Preparing early budget considerations for 2026, focusing on advocacy and member resources.
Vice President Jarrid Barry and I continue to work closely with Kerry Lange of Milliron- Goodman, following up on our recent meeting with Senate Majority Leader Joe Pittman. These dialogues remain essential as we move into the new legislative cycle. PDFA is committed to ensuring that the needs and realities of Pennsylvania deer farmers are clearly represented in Harrisburg.
PDFA has resumed consistent communication with the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture regarding CWD program improvements. We remain encouraged by ongoing advancements in CWDrelated technology and by PDA’s willingness to re-engage in meaningful discussion. We will share updates with the membership as soon as new information becomes available.
We are actively tracking the upcoming round of cervid-related grants through PDA and will share timelines and application details as soon as they are finalized. Our goal is to help ensure members are well prepared to apply when the window opens.
PDFA continues to grow, and the value of a strong membership base cannot be overstated. Member support is what drives our advocacy, strengthens our position in Harrisburg, and helps preserve our ability to operate with fairness and opportunity. Please encourage fellow producers, new farms, and emerging operations to join and support PDFA’s work.
As we prepare for winter and a new production cycle, the PDFA Board is finalizing its priorities for 2026. Our focus remains centered on:
- Strong advocacy in Harrisburg
- Clear and consistent communication
- Continued dialogue with PDA
- Producer education and support
- Sustainable event planning
- Strengthening partnerships
PDFA looks forward to working with you throughout the year ahead.
Thank you for your continued support of PDFA and for the work you do every day on your farms and ranches.
Respectfully Submitted, Josh Newton
Welcome to the Pennsylvania Deer Farmers Association 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 PDFA in support of keeping the Cervid Industry live and well in our state.
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.
Just in time for semen sales, getting ready for breeding season!
We created this magazine in order for 2025 Breeder and Hunting Preserve advertisers to showcase their most recent photos of their bucks close to the last days of antler growth. We realize establishing a collective deadline for all states Fall magazines to publish on the same date to obtain last-minute photos would be impossible to achieve. With this magazine, advertisers have one more chance to showcase their bucks.
~ Thank you to all that participated!
If you’re interested in advertising or featuring one or more bucks in the 2026 Showcase please call 435-817-0150 or email deerassociations@gmail.com for more information. There are limited spaces available, call today to reserve your space!
PDFA Magazine Deadlines 2026
Spring: February 17th
Summer: May 19th
Fall: August 18th
Winter: November 17th
Northern Top 30 - Jan 14-16, 2026 - Shipshewanna, IN
Illinois Deer Farmers Association Fundraiser - Feb 20-21, 2026 - Altamont IL
Alabama Deer Association Spring Auction - Feb 21, 2026 - Cullman, AL
Iowa Whitetail Deer Association Winter Banquet - Feb 21, 2026 - Timberghost Ranch Lodge
Kansas Deer & Elk Association Convention - Feb 28, 2026
United Deer Farmes of Michigan Annual Convention - March 6-7, 2026, Bath Township, Michigan
Southeast Trophy Deer Association Spring Fling - March 6-7, 2026 - Orlando, FL
Whitetails of Wisconsin Annual Banquet & Fundraiser - March 13-14, 2026 - Wisconsin Dells, WI
NADeFA Spring Open - March 20, 2026 - Sandusky, OH
KALA Summer Showcase - Aug 8, 2026
Whitetail Deer Farmers of Ohio Convention - Aug 13-14, 2026
Southern Top 30 - Aug 20-21, 2026 - Louisiana
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!
Image: Sting & Zero Gravity (The Swamp Whitetails)
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The 2025 PA Eastern Fall Classic Breeder and Stocker Auction was truly one of the standout events of the year. Held this past September, the Fall Classic brought together breeders, exhibitors, families, and supporters from across the region for a weekend filled with energy, fellowship, and strong industry engagement. Thanks to the incredible support of our members, donors, sponsors, and bidders, the event generated an impressive $85,000–$90,000 in profit a major achievement and a testament to the dedication of everyone involved.
This year’s Fall Classic included a wide array of activities that kept the crowd entertained throughout the weekend. Our brand-new Bingo addition was a huge hit and quickly became one of the most talked-about features. We also hosted a cornhole tournament, Last Man Standing, gun raffles, and a very successful silent auction. A new highlight this year was the 13-month calendar featured in the auction, which quickly became a crowd favorite. Samuel King of Rocky Top Whitetails donated and spearheaded a highly successful Buck Raffle, creating a great opportunity to engage participants from across the country while spotlighting the importance of breeding for CWD resistance. We were also fortunate to offer several excellent semen lots, which helped elevate bidder interest and competitiveness.
Attendance was strong both days, creating a lively and engaged atmosphere. Families played an important role in the weekend as well, with kids enjoying a coloring contest, scavenger hunt, and their own youth cornhole tournament. These activities helped create a welcoming, family-friendly environment and added to the overall success of the event.
Looking ahead, we’re excited about building on this momentum for future Fall Classics. One addition being explored is an antler competition, which could serve as another great way to showcase the genetics, breeding programs, and talent within our membership.
Every auction lot, raffle item, and silent auction piece contributed positively to our fundraising goals and the sellers of consignments throughout the event exactly the goal we aim for with this event. A heartfelt thank-you goes out to everyone who attended, volunteered, donated, sponsored, bid, or supported the Fall Classic in any way. Your continued involvement is what makes this event thrive year after year.
Respectfully,
PDFA Fall Sale Committee
By: Gail Veley • Sponsored by the West Virginia Deer Farmers Association, Inc.
Early dawn brings soft light to a landscape silhouetted with rolling green and shadowed hills, along with deer who seem to welcome, if not rejoice, at the start of a new day. Ceree Ledbetter quietly kneels, her camera fixed on a large buck stretching high for the treasures found in oak trees. With the touch of her finger, click. The image is permanently captured.
“I knew from the moment I was in fifth grade and held my first blue digital camera that I wanted to be a photographer,” Ceree said, reflecting back on her most treasured birthday gift. “I was so excited and thought at first that it would just be some hobby I would do after school. But when I started showing people my photos and getting their reactions, I realized maybe I had a knack for
this. That this could be something I could do professionally,”
While Ceree may be a mere 20 years old, her love of photography and her experiences are akin to someone well-entrenched and well-versed in their craft. While taking a picture may seem like a simple task “the raw lighting and the angles of the photo contribute heavily to the overall structure of it before editing,” Ceree, a Sandyville, West Virginia native and stepdaughter of Mark Cobb, explained. “Editing is also a substantial part of the process. Developing your eye for a great photo is also key. I’d love to travel to any state and shoot photos on both deer farms and preserves. I’m absolutely not nervous about being in a preserve. I’ve even photographed bison up close.”
Her base fee is $250 per day, not including travelling and lodging fees. “If I could stay in the lodge at someone’s preserve, I wouldn’t need hotel lodging,” Ceree explained. “It would probably take one to two days to shoot all the photos we would need. I would especially love to travel to Texas, Ohio and Florida and take photographs. I enjoy meeting new people. I would just really love to expand my business.”
Ceree’s passion for photographing livestock and nature began to flourish in 2020 when she moved to Mark’s farm and “he had so many animals like red deer, elk, horses and chickens and emus,” she said. “People loved seeing the photos I posted on Facebook. I also interned at Woodard Whitetails taking care of fawns, which allowed my love for the ‘veterinarian side’ of the industry to grow.”
Anyone interested in hiring Ceree as their photographer can call or text her at 304-531-7515 or email her at cereelphotography@ gmail.com. While Ceree is open to photographing any livestock you’d prefer, her favorite thing to photograph are bucks in hard antler. “That time of year is one of my favorites,” she said. “So, make sure to give me a call.”
I realized maybe I had a knack for this. That this could be something I could do professionally,” “
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 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.”
By: Gail Veley • Sponsored by the Southeast Trophy Deer Association
Deer, with their memorable antics, characteristics and often times unusual behavior, earn a place in a deer farmer’s heart and perhaps a funny name along with it. The following is a list compiled by deer farmers willing to share their story.
Upper Midwest Trophy Whitetails. Hazel, South Dakota. “Hammer Time” – a buck named after the local game warden and “Ever Ready,” a son of Excel.
Haas Fallow Deer Farm. Warrenton, Missouri. “Couch Tater” - named so after being abandoned by his mother, being bottle fed and spending a lot of time on the couch watching television, and “Dart” after being delivered and saved by owner Jeff Haas, who still greets him with a bark.
Awesome Whitetails. Middlebury Center, Pennsylvania. “Mallory”given her name after she became a family pet and responded with twitching ears to being called “Mal Mal.”
Baker Whitetails. Junction, Illinois. “Master Baker” – a buck named by Chase Baker after Kyle Neal of Neal’s Whitetail Ranch in Ewing, Illinois, dared him to do it.
Shallow Pond Whitetails. Shipshewana, Indiana. “Humpy” - named by Dave Schwartz for the buck’s protruding shoulder blades.
Double H Whitetails, Dundee, Ohio. “Bambi Boo Boo” got his name when as a young buck fawn, he made a “boo boo” inside the house.
MVP Whitetails. Kaufman, Texas. “Ping Pong” was named after his flighty disposition and propensity to run into and bounce off of fences. He was later renamed “Ricochet.”
Sterrett Knob Whitetails, Fredericksburg, Ohio. “Reject” got his name after he was left for dead by his mother. After turning into a big and sturdy buck, he let Levi Miller’s kids ride him like a horse. After he was later sold to Eric Klick, he continued to live a good life and died of old age.
2 Base Down Farm. Morriston, Florida. “Minnie” is one of several girlfriends of breeding buck “Mickey.” Minnie was born weighing two pounds six ounces but is alive and well today. “Nala,” named after the young lioness from The Lion
King, has a very noticeable mane. “Houdini,” earned her name after escaping from a fawn proof pen.
Other deer names at 2 Base Down might be self-explanatory such as “Ms. Fancy Pants” or an abandoned three-pound fawn named “Mercy Me.” When a young buck fawn broke his leg, they named him LBB for “Little Boy Broken,” who went on to be a prized breeding buck, while teaching a valuable lesson. Never give up on a fawn. “When we raise and name deer, we have fun doing it,” Leffler said. “With our breeding buck Mickey, we figured if a mouse named Mickey could put Florida on the map, then our very own “Mickey” could do that for our farm.”
By: Gail Veley • Sponsored by TheMissouri Deer Association
Deer farmers can feel optimistic about vaccine advancement by Medgene Labs in Brookings, South Dakota. If all goes according to plan, the prescription platform for whitetailed deer will be available in 2026. This will allow Medgene to offer more than an EHD vaccine to deer farmers, specifically an option to vaccinate against some strains of bluetongue. Bluetongue, an often fatal virus closely associated with EHD, is caused by the same vector, the Culicoides midge fly. Symptoms include fever, swelling of the head, neck and tongue, lameness, a loss of the fear of humans and the desire to be near water. Although Medgene Labs has a vaccine for EHD, they felt the need to expand to a prescription platform in whitetails because a specific bluetongue vaccine was just as necessary, said Medgene Labs Immunological Services (I.S.) Prime Director Ashley Petersen. “While bluetongue is very similar to EHD, having a vaccine specific to both is another part of a toolbox in overseeing the health and well-being of your deer,” she explained.
In order to test the safety of the prescription platform technology, a
vaccine Safety Study was conducted after four farms, one located in South Dakota, one in Oklahoma, one in Missouri and one in Ohio, agreed to allow their herds to participate. The study evaluated how safe the vaccine appeared for the target species (white-tailed deer) and recorded all reaction events that may have happened after an injection such as limping, soreness or not eating. Medgene’s currently available EHDV2&6 vaccine is manufactured differently than the methods used in the prescription platform system. Though the immune response is robust, “it didn’t matter if it was administered IM or SQ, the deer would be lame afterwards,” said Amy Nold of Nold Farms, LLC in Urich, Missouri. “I would say this new vaccine formulation shows great promise. Lameness is much less significant. I think it allows for more confidence while not inhibiting production.”
In addition, Nold felt there wasn’t a difference between how the does or bucks responded to the vaccine. Vaccines were administered starting December 16th, 2024, and followed up with a booster on January 4th, 2025. Every farm that participated
reported their observations back to Medgene Labs, who upon receiving the results, prepared and submitted a report to The Center for Veterinary Biologics, a division of the USDA located in Ames, Iowa. The center, which works to assure that safe and potentially effective veterinary biologics are available for the ultimate treatment of animal diseases, will more than likely need three to four months to review the report, Petersen said. Should the vaccine platform for use in whitetailed deer be given the greenlight, it will join others that subsist under Medgene Lab’s Prescription Platform License and will contain a “label claim” listing potential side effects. “I’m willing to use this vaccine on all of my deer,” said Nold, whose herd numbers exceed 200 head. “I say the risk is worth the reward in seeing our deer grow and in learning about and caring for one of God’s most wonderful creatures. Anytime you have an opportunity to participate in research, it’s always a pleasure and an honor.”
• 1 Tbsp. olive oil
• 1 yellow onion, diced
• 2 green bell peppers, diced
• 1 lb. ground venison
• 4–5 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 Tbsp. chili powder
• 1 Tbsp. cumin
• 1 tsp. paprika
• ½ tsp. cinnamon (optional)
• 1 and ½ tsp. salt
• ½ tsp. pepper
• 3 Tbsp. tomato paste
• 1 tsp. Worchestershire sauce
• 1 orange, juiced
• 1 lime, juiced
• 1 and 1/2 cups venison or beef stock*
• 28 oz. diced tomatoes, drained
• 15 oz. black beans, drained and rinsed
• 15 oz. kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1. Begin by heating the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
2. Add the onion and peppers and cook until the onions start to brown on the edges, about 5-7 minutes. Then, add the venison and brown.
3. Once the venison is browned add the garlic, chili powder, cumin, paprika, cinnamon, salt, and pepper. Saute for 1-2 minutes and then add the tomato paste. Cook for an additional minute, incorporating the tomato paste.
4. Then, deglaze the pot with Worchestershire sauce, orange juice, and lime juice. Scrape the bottom of the pot and add the stock, tomatoes, and beans.
5. Stir well and bring the chili to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover partially with a lid and let the pot simmer for at least 30 minutes but up to all day. If you’re cooking longer than an hour, be sure to cover the chili fully with a lid so all of the liquid doesn’t evaporate.
6. Ladle up generous portions, top with your favorite chili toppings, and serve.
Have a great recipe to share? Email to deerassociations@gmail.com or mail to: Samantha Uchytil 19291 59th St NE, New London, MN 56273
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.
windy
brisk
thermometer
hibernate
scarf
toboggan
hocky
shiver
cold snowplow
eggnog
frosty
frostbitten
turtleneck
chills
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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: office@pdfa.com
This gives PDFA members a way to reach out to one another for services and to buy or sell deer! There may be limited pages for business cards, overflow would be placed in the next issue and cards will be rotated each quarter.
Answers to puzzles will be available in the next issue, or can be found on our website: www.deersites.com
Coloring pages can be mailed to: Samantha Uchytil, 19291 59th St NE, New London, MN 56273 or emailed to deerassociations@gmail.com for a chance to be featured in the next issue!
Last chance to lock in 2025 rates, SIGN UP TODAY!
• Alabama Deer Association
• Illinois Deer Farmers
• Indiana Deer And Elk Farmers Association
• Iowa Whitetail Deer Association
• Kansas Elk and Deer Association
• Kentucky Alternative Livestock Association
• Minnesota Deer Association
• Missouri Deer Association
• New York Deer and Elk Farmers Association
• North Dakota Deer Ranchers
• Pennsylvania Deer Farmers Association
• South Dakota Deer & Elk Breeders
• Southeast Trophy Deer Association
44 ISSUES FOR 1 YR.
Reaching out to over 2500 members (11 Publications x 4 quarters)
17 State Associations - Approx. 2500 readers
$189 / Issue ($8316. / Yr) ~ Full Page
$107 / Issue ($4708. / Yr.) ~ Half Page (55-59% Discount off single ad placement)
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$252/ Issue ($1008. / Yr) ~ Full Page
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Single Issue In Any Of Our Eleven Quarterly Publications: Full Page: $420.00 1/2 Page: $263.00
• Texas Deer Association
• United Deer Farmers of Michigan
• West Virginia Deer Farmers Association
• Whitetail Deer Farmers of Ohio
• Whitetails of Louisiana
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General Quarantine Order; Cervid Movement Restrictions Within the Core Captive Management Zone I. Recitals.
The following recitals describe the dangerous transmissible disease for which this ‘’General Quarantine Order; Cervid Movement Restrictions Within the Core Captive Management Zone’’ (hereinafter ‘’CCMZ General Quarantine Order’’) is instituted, specify the species of domestic animals affected by and subject to this CCMZ General Quarantine Order and provides the authority under which this CCMZ General Quarantine Order is established.
(a) Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) is an infectious, progressive, and fatal disease of susceptible species of the genera Alces, Cervus, Odocoileus, and Rangifer including elk, white-tailed deer, moose, mule deer, black-tailed deer, sika deer, red deer, reindeer, and hybrids thereof.
(b) There is no known treatment for CWD infection nor a successful vaccine. Currently available live animal testing for this disease is insufficient to reliably identify all individual animals incubating this disease and it is insufficient to definitively rule out presence of disease in a herd.
(c) CWD is transmissible from infected to uninfected cervids by ingestion of infected or contaminated materials occurring through shared environment or close contact.
(d) CWD has been designated a ‘’dangerous transmissible disease’’ of animals by order of the Secretary of Agriculture under the provisions of the Domestic Animal Law (Law) (3 Pa.C.S. §§ 2301—2389), at 3 Pa.C.S. § 2321(d).
(e) The Department of Agriculture (Department) has broad authority under the Law to regulate the keeping, transport, and handling of domestic animals to exclude, contain, or eliminate dangerous transmissible diseases, such as CWD.
(f) The Department also has broad authority under the Law to prohibit the importation of domestic animals, conveyances, containers, goods, products, or materials to keep dangerous transmissible diseases, such as CWD, from entering this Commonwealth.
(g) CWD negatively impacts the Commonwealth’s free-ranging and captive cervid populations. CWD causes economic loss to the captive/farmed cervid industry, as the presence of CWD infection in a herd severely limits the market for product within and outside this Commonwealth.
(h) In 2012, two captive white-tailed deer in the Commonwealth were confirmed to be infected with CWD. Since then, infected captive white-tailed deer, elk, and red deer have been confirmed in Adams, Bedford, Blair, Cambria, Clearfield, Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Fulton, Huntingdon, Indiana, Jefferson, Lancaster, Luzerne, Lycoming, Perry, Somerset, Warren, and Wayne counties. Also, the 2012 Pennsylvania Game Commission’s hunter harvest testing detected CWD in freeranging deer. Since then, free-ranging white-tailed deer have been identified in Adams, Armstrong, Bedford, Blair, Cambria, Carbon, Clearfield, Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Fulton, Huntingdon, Indiana, Jefferson, Juniata, Luzerne, Mifflin, Perry, Snyder, Somerset, Westmoreland, and York counties. CWD has also been detected in cervids in the nearby states of Maryland, New York, Ohio, Virginia, and West Virginia. To date, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported CWD in freeranging deer, elk, and moose in 36 states in the continental United States.
By this General Quarantine Order, the Department is rescinding and supplanting the August 29, 2020, General Quarantine Order Cervid Movement Restrictions Within Core Captive Management Zone [50 Pa.B. 4395][Saturday, August 29, 2020] in order to expand the CCMZ, revise the moratorium, and remove the calculation of CWD Positive Herd Rate and related restrictions.
II. General Provisions.
With the foregoing recitals incorporated into this CCMZ General Quarantine Order by reference, the Department hereby establishes a General Quarantine under authority of the Domestic Animal Law, at 3 Pa.C.S. § 2329(d). The terms of this CCMZ General Quarantine Order are as follows:
(a) Definitions.
Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD). A dangerous transmissible disease identified as transmissible spongiform encephalopathy of cervids. Clinical signs include but are not limited to the following: loss of body condition, behavioral changes, excessive salivation, increased drinking or urination, depression, and eventual death.
CWD-susceptible species. Species of the genera Alces, Cervus, Odocoileus, and Rangifer including elk, white-tailed deer, moose, mule deer, black-tailed deer, sika deer, red deer, reindeer, and hybrids thereof.
Hunting premises. A premises where captive CWD-susceptible captive cervids are harvested within a fenced enclosure.
(b) Repeal, effect, and continuance of previous Quarantine Orders. This CCMZ General Quarantine Order rescinds and supplants the referenced August 29, 2020, General Quarantine Order Cervid Movement Restrictions Within Core Captive Management Zone. The provisions of the General Quarantine Order; Chronic Wasting Disease Program Requirements for Herd Certification Program and Herd Monitoring Program, published at 44 PaB, 2249, No. 15, April 12, 2014 (hereinafter ‘’2014 General Quarantine Order’’), remain in full force and effect and continue to be applicable in the counties covered by this CCMZ General Quarantine Order.
(c) Core Captive Management Zone (CCMZ). This CCMZ General Quarantine Order is applicable to the CCMZ established in the following counties in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania: Adams, Bedford, Blair, Cumberland, Franklin, Fulton, Huntingdon, Juniata, Mifflin, Perry, and Snyder. To the extent any provisions of this CCMZ General Quarantine Order are more stringent than or conflict with the 2014 General Quarantine Order, the provisions of this CCMZ General Quarantine Order shall take precedence and apply within the Core Captive Management Zone (CCMZ).
(d) Persons subject to this Order. Any person within the CCMZ with a CWD-susceptible species of captive cervid is subject to this CCMZ General Quarantine Order.
(e) Movement restrictions and conditions. Premises located within the CCMZ designated counties and having CWDsusceptible species of captive cervids shall be subject to the following movement restrictions and requirements.
1. Movement restriction. No CWD-susceptible species of captive cervids may be moved from premises located within the counties subject to this CCMZ General Quarantine Order to an area or premises within Pennsylvania that is outside of the CCMZ, unless approved at the discretion of the Department and moved under a permit issued by the Department.
2. Live CWD-susceptible captive cervid movement conditions between captive cervid premises. Premises located within the CCMZ designated counties may move and receive CWD-susceptible species of captive cervids, under the following rules and conditions:
(i) General movement standards. All movement of CWD-susceptible captive cervid species shall comply with and meet testing, recordkeeping, identification, and all other requirements of the 2014 General Quarantine Order or any subsequent CWD Program General Quarantine Order replacing or amending the 2014 General Quarantine Order.
(ii) Identification standards. Any CWD-susceptible captive cervid species that is moved into, out of, or within the CCMZ designated counties shall have an approved official identification attached such as a National Uniform Eartagging System (NUES) tag, 840 series Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag, or an 840 series electronic microchip.
(iii) Microchip identification standards. When a microchip is used as the official identification, it is to be placed at the base of the ear of the CWD-susceptible captive cervid species.
(iv) Grandfather clause – microchip. CWD-susceptible captive cervid species that already have a microchip in a location other than the base of the ear are grandfathered into this Quarantine Order until calendar year 2026. The location of the microchip shall be verified prior to movement and documented on a waybill, or 10-day movement form for CWD Herd Certification Program participants and also on annual inventory paperwork.
(v) Microchip reader requirement. Premises receiving CWD-susceptible captive cervid species identified with a microchip shall have a means of confirming and reading the official tag sequence to be recorded in accordance with CWD program requirements and for CWD sample collection and submission.
(vi) Premises to premises movement within the CCMZ. CWD-susceptible species of captive cervids may move between premises located within the CCMZ designated counties with no additional restrictions other than those set forth in subsections (i) – (v) of this section and those required under the 2014 General Quarantine Order or its successor.
(vii) Commonwealth premises outside the CCMZ to premises within the CCMZ. CWD-susceptible species of captive cervids may move between premises located outside the CCMZ designated counties to premises within the CCMZ designated counties with no additional restrictions other than those set forth in subsections (i) – (v) of this section and those required under the 2014 General Quarantine Order or its successor.
(viii) Receipt of cervid from premises under an Order of Special Quarantine. A premises with captive CWDsusceptible captive cervid species that is within the CCMZ designated counties may receive CWD-susceptible captive cervid species from a premises within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania that is under an Order of Special Quarantine related to CWD under the following conditions:
A. A Department issued movement permit shall be obtained for any movement from a premises under Order of Special Quarantine related to CWD.
B. The receiving premises shall be placed under an Order of Special Quarantine related to CWD if it was not previously under an Order of Special Quarantine related to CWD prior to the movement.
(ix) Premises outside the Commonwealth into a premises within the CCMZ. A premises within the CCMZ designated counties may receive a CWD-susceptible species of cervid from a captive cervid premises located outside the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania under the following conditions:
A. The herd of origin is a fully certified herd meeting all standards and requirements of the 2014 General Quarantine Order and the Interstate/International Quarantine Order; Chronic Wasting Disease Importation Requirements for Farmed or Captive Chronic Wasting Disease-Susceptible Cervids published at 44 PaB, 2267, No. 15, April 12, 2014, or any successor to either of those quarantine orders.
B. The herd of origin is a fully certified herd meeting all standards and requirements of the Code of Federal Regulations at 9 CFR 55 relating to ‘’Control of Chronic Wasting Disease’’ and 81 CFR relating to ‘’Chronic Wasting Disease in Deer, Elk, and Moose.’’
(x) Premises within the CCMZ designated counties to a Commonwealth premises outside of the CCMZ designated counties. A premises located within the CCMZ designated counties may sell and ship a CWD-susceptible species of cervid to a captive cervid premises located within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania but outside the CCMZ at the discretion of the Department and under the following conditions:
A. The shipping premises shall be Fully Certified and in good standing under the Department’s 2014 General Quarantine Order, or its successor quarantine order.
B. The shipping premises shall have implemented a herd plan approved by the Department.
C. The shipping premises shall have a written permit issued by the Department.
D. The herd plan and permit shall inform the receiving captive cervid premises that the premises from which the cervid(s) is being shipped is within the CCMZ.
(xi) Premises within the CCMZ designated counties to a captive cervid premises outside the Commonwealth. A premises within the CCMZ designated counties may sell and ship a CWD-susceptible species of cervid to a captive cervid premises in another State if such sale and shipment comply with all statutory standards, rules, regulations and requirements of the destination state or province and requirements of the Code of Federal Regulations at 9 CFR 55 relating to ‘’Control of Chronic Wasting Disease’’ and 81 CFR relating to ‘’Chronic Wasting Disease in Deer, Elk, and Moose.’’
3. Live CWD-susceptible captive cervid movement to a veterinary facility. A CWD-susceptible species of cervid may be moved from a captive cervid premises within the CCMZ designated counties to a veterinary facility for the purposes of medical care under a licensed veterinarian. The Department shall be notified, within 72 hours of such movement, and ownership of the CWD-susceptible captive cervid shipped shall be maintained by the herd owner.
4. Live CWD-susceptible captive cervid movement direct to slaughter. A CWD-susceptible species of cervid shall be moved from a captive cervid premises within the CCMZ designated counties directly to a licensed slaughter establishment, only under a Department issued permit. Ownership of the animal(s) shipped shall be maintained by the herd owner until released under the terms of the permit issued.
5. Dead CWD-susceptible captive cervids or parts. Carcasses and parts of dead CWD-susceptible cervids from premises located within the CCMZ designated counties shall be moved only under the following rules, restrictions, and conditions:
(i) CWD-susceptible captive cervid parts from hunter harvested CWD-susceptible captive cervids such as antlers, clean skull caps, capes, and quartered meat without the backbone may be moved from premises located within the CCMZ designated counties. All other parts of CWD-susceptible captive cervid species, including the carcass, shall be disposed of on the premises or at a hazardous waste landfill within the CCMZ designated counties in accordance with all regulations, including biosecurity measures for transportation of those parts.
(ii) CWD-susceptible captive cervid carcasses may be moved to an animal diagnostic laboratory within the Commonwealth for diagnostic testing. The Department shall be notified, within 72 hours of such movement, and ownership of the captive cervid carcass shipped shall be maintained by the herd owner.
6. Semen or embryos. Semen or embryos from CWD-susceptible captive cervid species on premises within the CCMZ designated counties may only be moved off the premises under the following conditions:
(i) Tested Cervid. The semen or embryo originate from a captive cervid that has died and has been tested for CWD and determined to be Not Detected for CWD, as determined by immunohistochemistry or another Department approved test.
(ii) Within CCMZ. The semen or embryo originates from a live captive cervid on a premises located within a CCMZ designated county and is being moved to another premises within a CCMZ designated county.
(iii) Certified Herd. The semen or embryo originates from a captive cervids in a herd enrolled in and in compliance with the requirements of the Herd Certification Program, with a Department approved herd plan. Such movement shall require a written request to the Department, prior to movement, and approval is at the discretion of the Department.
(f) Moratorium. No new premises with CWD-susceptible species may be established within the CCMZ designated counties except under the following conditions:
1. Pre-existing premises with CWD-susceptible species will be grandfathered at the time of publication of this CCMZ General Quarantine Order, as long as such premises continuously maintain an active business inventory of CWD-susceptible species.
2. New hunting premises may be created with both male and female CWD-susceptible captive cervids. The female CWD-susceptible captive cervids must be harvested prior to March 1st of the year after being added to the premises. The male CWD-susceptible captive cervids must be harvested within 12 months of being added to the premises or by the CWD program anniversary date. No CWD-susceptible captive cervids will be permitted to leave these premises alive. Premises inventories shall have no CWD-susceptible species alive at time of annual inventory paperwork as established by the Department’s 2014 General Quarantine Order or any subsequent CWD Program General Quarantine Order replacing or amending that Quarantine Order.
3. Additional premises may be established at the discretion of the Department with implementation of an approved herd plan or Order of Special Quarantine on file.
III. Violations and Penalties.
Violations/Penalties. Any person violating the requirements of this CCMZ General Quarantine Order may be subject to imposition of such criminal and civil penalties and remedies as allowed under the Domestic Animal Law (3 Pa.C.S.A. §§ 2380.8, 2383, 2385 and 2386).
IV. Actions of the Department.
No restriction on further action by the Department. This CCMZ General Quarantine Order shall not be construed as limiting the Department’s authority to establish additional quarantine or testing requirements on imported cervids or to limit the Department’s authority under the Domestic Animal Law or any other statutes or regulations administered by the Department.
V. Contact information.
Contact information. Questions regarding this CCMZ General Quarantine Order should be directed to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Animal Health, 2301 North Cameron Street, Harrisburg, PA 17110 or by telephone at 717-772-2852, or email at RA-ahds@pa.gov.
VI. Effective Date.
Effective date. This CCMZ General Quarantine Order in its entirety shall become effective immediately upon publication and shall remain in effect unless rescinded or modified by subsequent order or addendum.
RUSSELL REDDING, Secretary
Date
10.30.2025
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