Cruiser/Jumbo Classic’s Sister NADR #: 353868 | GEBV: -0.244544
CODON 96: S/S
44 COVER OFFERS SELLING THIS YEAR
From Deer to Here
“Secure Your Spot on the 2026’s Most Coveted Front Covers!”
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.
BONUS: YOUR AD + THEIR NAME Unforgettable back cover impact - Personalization meets prime real estate + 44 BACK COVER OFFERS
IOWA: FEB. 20-22 MCCLUNG SALES
ILLINOIS: FEB. 16-19 McCLUNG SALES
MINNESOTA: Mar. 10-12 MCCLUNG SALES
Antler Contest
· Categories include: Yearling 1st,2nd,3rd , 2-yr old 1st, 2nd, 3rd, Mature 1st, Elk 1st, and Red Stag 1st
· Attendees will vote on each category.
· Everyone is welcome to enter each category once.
· Antlers should be within a year old. Dart Gun Competition
· Winner wins a Dart Gun! Photo Contest
· 4 x 6, Amateurs only please, Cervids, + people + action + humor!! ..optioins (limit 5 photos per person/ brought to event)
South Dakota Deer & Elk Breeders Association
Message from Brandon Walker:
Memberships for 2026 are due $100 for owners
$50 for associate/non-animal owners. Our annual membership meeting is on April 11th at 10:30am at South Dakota Animal Industry Board Conference Room, 411 South Fort Street, Pierre, SD 57501.
Brandon Walker
Manager, Cedar Breaks Mule Deer Ranch
Secretary/Treasurer South Dakota Deer and Elk Breeders Association
Cell:(608)695-0796
Office:(605)567-3563
Mike Elsberry
President Dakota Muleys
701-340-4445
Grand Forks, ND
Lani Schafer Secretary/Treasurer 1223 18th Ave NW
Turtle Lake, ND 58575
Board of Directors
Chris Ryckman
Missouri Valley Muleys 6160 Hiway 1804
Bismarck, ND 58504
Bob Miller
Evolution Whitetails 10801 52nd St NE Bismarck, ND 58503
Butch Dick 6379 123rd Ave SE Lisbon, ND 58054
Mike Ryckman
Ryckman Whitetails PO Box 565 Linton, ND 58552
Jamie Feist
Imperial Whitetails Baldwin, ND 701-471-1481 mount4u@hotmail.com
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
North Dakota Deer Ranchers Appreciative of Opportunities Through the ND Department
A Message of Inspiration from North Dakota Deer Ranchers President Mike Elsberry
Funding assistance for genetic whitetail testing as well as for the purchase of up to 10 semen straws with more favorable CWD resistant GEBV’s, is currently available through September of 2026. This funding assistance, made available through the North Dakota Department of Animal Health, is available to any whitetail producer in North Dakota who applies and is given approval. Applications are available by emailing their office at doa-bah@nd.gov and requesting a Genetic Testing Assistance Form. According to the North Dakota Dept. of Animal Health veterinarian Dr. Beth Carlson, DVM, even if you’re waiting until spring to do genetic testing, you should submit your application now so that funds may be reserved for you. Many larger state producers have already participated in this program, and all are encouraged to take part.
News of this funding opportunity, relayed at our association picnic this past August, added to the upbeat feeling that producers share who raise whitetail deer. Close to 20 people gathered at Schafer Whitetails near Turtle Lake (including a few guests from South Dakota) to enjoy burgers, brats, brownies and beautiful weather. What a fantastic day. In addition to learning more about genetic testing grant money, those is attendance enjoyed an educational talk by Shawn Schafer on TB testing, and on the potential benefits of adding zinc to your cervid water supply. It is theorized that by simply adding zinc to the water (in what amounts to as a very non stressful way to medically treat deer) it can help them fight against contracting EHD. As we strive to raise the healthiest deer possible, this was welcome news.
We also enjoyed farm tours and elected Russell Lunde to the board and look forward to his participation and insight. Please plan on attending our next annual picnic in 2026 at his hunting preserve, Sandy Oaks Lodge. Thank you!!
Schafer Whitetail Ranch Summer Picnic!
Dependable Sedation Starts Here
(Medetomidine/Ketamine 10/200 mg/mL + 2X Atipamezole 20mg/mL)
Gentle on the animal and trusted by veterinarians, handlers and owners for every species or procedure The information in this advertisement is general and
(Medetomidine/Ketamine/Butorphanol 20/100/50 mg/mL + Atipamezole 40mg/mL + Naltrexone 50mg/mL)
e most widely used MK™ kit on the market. is formulation contains higher concentrations of active ingredients than the original MK™ kit, allowing for lower dose volumes and the use of a smaller dart, resulting in improved accuracy during capture.
FORMULA PROPRIETARY FORMULA MKB2™ Kit PROPRIETARY FORMULA MKBM™ Kit PROPRIETARY FORMULA
(Medetomidine/Ketamine/Butorphanol 10/50/25 mg/mL + Atipamezole 20mg/mL + Naltrexone 25mg/mL)
or sedation scenarios under 15-20 minutes.
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. MK2™ Kit MKB™ Kit
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.
(Medetomidine/Ketamine/Butorphanol/Midazolam 20/100/30/20 mg/mL + Atipamezole 40mg/mL + Naltrexone 50mg/mL)
Board of Directors
Adam Helgeland
President
Trophy Whitetail Deer 15425 450th St. Leland, IA 50453 641-590-3410 adamhelgeland@gmail.com
Mike Hine
Timberghost Ranch PO Box 545 Mediapolis, IA 52639 319-394-9876 mike@timberghost.com
Jake Lahr
Double "O" Whitetails 2608 325th St Hopkinton, IA 52237 319-975-0005 jlahr.w@gmail.com
Fred Huebner
Vice President
Circle H Ranch 2575 Iowa Keokuk Rd. North English, IA 52316 319-530-7824 circleh@netins.net
Roger Strunk
Secretary
Strunk's Whitetail Haven 508 Franklin 3rd St West Point, IA 52656 319-470-2413 rlstrunk@yahoo.com
Mick Tonderum
GMT Farms Inc. 2008 5th St. Emmetsburg, IA 50536 712-260-7310 gmtfarms74@hotmail.com
Matt Nebel
River Bottom Game Farm 2717 275th Ave Dewitt, IA 52742 563-580-4149
Adam Laubentha
Luby’s Custom Whitetails 715 11th Ave SW Spencer, IA 51301 712-240-2818
Chad Machart
Prairie Antler Ranch 24424 180th St Anamosa, IA 52205 319-540-9311
DEER & ELK PHOTOS WANTED!
Board of Directors
Greg Leenderts Chairman Whitetail Farms 48474 257th St Garretson, SD 57030 507-227-6328 gleenderts@alliancecom.net
Brandon Walker Secretary/Treasurer
Cedar Breaks Mule Deer Ranch 19145 Robbs Flat Road Midland, SD 57552 608-695-0796 brandon@cedarbreaksranch.com
Mark Hollenbeck Sunrise Ranch 277772 Elbow Canyon Road Edgemont, SD 57735 605-685-3376 markholl@gwtc.net
Shane Zylstra Vice-Chairman 28863 471st Ave, Beresford, SD 57004
605-777-2731 shane.zylstra1@gmail.com
Cody Warne Stone Meadow Ranch 3520 LAMBETH PL Pierre, SD 57501
605-222-7407 codybuckwarne@msn.com
Rob Curtis
605-840-1079 rclandd@hotmail.com
Liz Vogelsong 605-310-2703 lizblain21@gmail.com
If any members of SDDEBA or other breeders/ranches of South Dakota have pictures of their deer and or elk please email to Brandon Walker. We are looking for South Dakota deer and elk producer pictures that we can post on our website. We do not need to share your farm/ranch information unless you want us to.
Board of Directors
Scott Fier
President
Buffalo Ridge Whitetails 3788 260th Ave Porter, MN 56280 507-829-3151 fierscott@gmail.com
Steve
Porter Whitetails 1828 350th Ave Lake Bronson, MN 56734 218-526-0180 porterwhitetail@gmail.com
Mark Volk
Treasurer Volk Whitetails 9095 160th Ave Royalton, MN 56373 320-232-3352 volkwhitetails@outlook.com
Steph Buchner
B&B Trophy Whitetails 716 N Central St Warren, MN 56762 218-686-9863
Gary Olson
Olson Whitetails 34526 State Hwy 30 Lanesboro, MN 55949 507-269-9791 garypolson2005@yahoo.com
Deb Holthaus Secretary Two Rivers Deer Farm PO BOX 336 Little Falls, MN 56345
320-360-4667
Deb@Benefits-MN.com
Mary Volk
DeerMomma Embroidery Volk Whitetails 9095 160th Ave Royalton, MN 56373 320-232-7493 deermomma@outlook.com
Devon Lien 1071 165th Ave. NW New London, MN 56273 320-905-2896
Ken Williams
Williams Whitetails 30567 440TH ST Melrose, MN 56352 320-291-3385 kwilliams7777@outlook.com
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.”
Upcoming Whitetail and Cervid Events
Upper Midwest Magazine Deadlines 2026
Spring: April 21st
Summer: July 21st
Fall: October 27th
Winter: Jan 26th, ‘27
Whitetails of Oklahoma Annual Fundraiser - Feb 6-7, 2026 - Sallisaw, OK
Illinois Deer Farmers Association Fundraiser - Feb 20-21, 2026 - Altamont, IL
Alabama Deer Association Spring Auction - Feb 21, 2026 - Cullman, AL
Iowa Whitetail Deer Association Winter Banquet - Feb 21, 2026 - Timberghost Ranch Lodge
Pennsylvania Deer Farmers Association Eastern Winter Classic - Feb 27-28 - Morgantown, PA
Kansas Deer & Elk Association Convention - Feb 28, 2026
United Deer Farmes of Michigan Annual Convention - March 6-7, 2026, Bath Township, Michigan
Southeast Trophy Deer Association Spring Fling - March 6-7, 2026 - Orlando, FL
Minnesota Deer Farmers Association Online Fundraiser Auction - March 10-12, 2026 - McClungSales.w2auctions
Whitetails of Wisconsin Annual Banquet & Fundraiser - March 13-14, 2026 - Wisconsin Dells, WI
NADeFA Spring Open - March 20, 2026 - Sandusky, OH
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!
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 Upper Midwest 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.
ILDFA: Lisa_shepard83@yahoo.com
IWDA: adamhelgeland@gmail.com
MDFA: fierscott@gmail.com
NDDRA: ryckman219@gmail.com
SDDEBA: jamesfam13@outlook.com
If you have any questions please contact: Kathy Giesen: 435-817-0150
Your Business Card HERE!
HOW TO RATTLE UP A BUCK
By: Gail Veley • Whitetail Deer Farmers of Ohio
Mony Weaver can still remember November 14th, 1985 like it was yesterday. It was only 2 p.m. and he had already rattled in nine bucks that day. Out of the nine, he didn’t shot any because they were quit small. But his intuition and discoveries about deer behavior had clearly paid off. “There is one key ingredient to successful buck rattling. The buck has to be in the mood,” explained Weaver of M & M Whitetails in Apple Creek, Ohio, started in 1994. In his 55 years as a hunter, Weaver has spent the better part perfecting the ideal rattling situation. Rattling, or knocking a set of antlers together, is designed to entice a buck in the rut into shooting range, based on making the buck believe that there are does in estrus close by and other bucks are fighting over them.
However, “there’s no way a human can make that much noise,” Weaver said, in reference to the sound of two bucks fighting. This makes a hunter’s strategy very important. After successfully rattling in a 160” buck many years ago, Weaver carefully pinched the rattling antlers he was using between his thighs and silently bent over to pick up his bow and arrow. The moment he stood to take aim, the antlers slipped through his legs and came crashing down onto the tree stand, causing his promising buck to spin around quickly, and take flight.
Weaver, 71, firmly believes in rattling from a tree stand for safety and to remain inconspicuous. “Rattle for 30 seconds, wait 15 minutes and try again,” he said. “If in two hours you haven’t attracted a buck, it’s not the right time.” The practice of rattling, dating back to the late 1800’s, was primarily done by market hunters in Texas and other southwestern parts of the U.S. It wasn’t until Hart Stillwell wrote an article on rattling
that was published in Outdoor Life Magazine in May of 1951, that the concept became popular to a larger audience. Today there are vast products designed to mimic the sounds of two fighting bucks, but Mony feels a good old-fashioned set of antlers, synthetic or natural, works just as well. “When a buck gets close, don’t keep rattling,” he said. “You don’t want them to know where you are. Use medium sized antlers. If they’re too big a buck might stay away thinking the competition might be more than they can handle.”
Weaver recalls rattling in a buck so full of testosterone that all of its hair was standing on end. “He kept going around and around the tree I was in,” he shared. “I didn’t shoot him because he was too small. Regardless of size, you need to watch your safety and respect them. A wild buck is safer overall than a buck in a pen, because of human familiarity. But I still didn’t come down and out of that tree for quite a while.” Weaver has also rattled in bucks from a deer blind, where situated outside was an eight-point decoy, piquing the curiosity of each
buck that investigated, if nothing else. Dragging tree branches across tree trunks can also simulate the sounds of a scuffle. “Once, I had a buck come running just because I climbed up into a tree,” he said. Weaver’s hunting adventures are documented in two books he’s written called Buck Rubs and Turkey Scratches, Part One and Two.
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.”
INAMING DEER
CREATING CATCHY, UNIQUE AND MEMORABLE NAMES
By: Gail Veley • Sponsored by Whitetails of Louisiana
t was Halloween night a few years ago, and the considerably long and scenic road to Elam Woods Whitetails in Baskin, Louisiana never saw any trick or treaters. A storm was rolling in, dark and rumbling. As crashes of thunder and streaks of lightening illuminated the surroundings, Ben and Krystal, two adult children of Elam Woods Owner Bill Holdman, spotted something moving across the front lawn. “Dad, we have a trick or treater,” they both exclaimed. “Finally.”
As Holdman opened the front door to investigate, he didn’t find a trick or treater, but rather, a five-monthold buck fawn that had wandered out of its pen. “We named him Gray Ghost,” Holdman said. While naming deer can have a more lighthearted and humerus side to it, a unique name may help people long remember your farm or the buck. Having bucks with unique names can also “help promote a lineage and genetic line and can even give a real boost to a certain line,” said Henry Woodard of Woodard Whitetails in Glasglow, Kentucky.
Woodard, who purchased the infamous buck Gladiator as a mere 63” yearling in 2004, couldn’t have known then that the little buck, named so after the movie Gladiator, would “blow up” at two and go on to sire many more great producers with names such as Gladiator II, Gladiator Supreme, Gladiator XL and Gladiator Select. Owning Gladiator proved to be extremely profitable for Woodard and provided the backbone to carry this head-turning lineage forward. Semen straws sold quickly. Later, Gladiator was bought by
Lone Hollow Whitetails where he lived to be 16.
“It was different back then when Gladiator was on the scene,” Woodard said. “CWD wasn’t the big issue it is now. We had DNA and parentage testing and didn’t have to worry about CWD. Still, Gladiator was an ‘SK’ with a -3.78 GEBV. When you get a buck out there for promotion and give him an iconic name, once they have solid production on the ground you are at whole different level.”
Having bucks with unique names “has helped us when placing magazine ads,” Holdman explained. “We had an ad with a buck named Kisatchie, after Kisatchie National Forest here in Louisiana. In the ad he was standing in the middle of tall pine trees. We had another buck named Cotton Picker and had him standing in the middle of a cottonfield in his ad. We found it’s been an effective way to promote them.” At Elam Woods, deer are often named after places in Louisiana, country music legends or songs. Some of their current breeding bucks include Twitty, Easy Touch, Slow hands and Heated Rush. “Those names caught on really well,” Holdman said. “Everybody knows who they are.”
Patriotic names and names of songs also often
work well to do a deer “justice” and therefore make them more memorable. The best buck ever raised by Woodard, called Louisville Slugger, was impressive even as a yearling, and named after the well-known baseball bat company. “I thought it was iconic and not easily forgotten,” Woodard said. “We also have Mr. Incredible after the movie ‘The Incredibles’ and he had two sons, Dash and Jack.” However, no buck, no matter its name, is worth anything unless they are registered with NADR. “If someone is able to look up a buck on NADR, and think that will work on their farm, they will more than likely be interested in him,” Holdman said.
In addition, having a buck who will raise the bar for the deer industry and essentially out-produce himself, pass his genes along and also be useful for outcrossing, is what will make him truly great. “You don’t see that with every deer,” Woodard concluded. “Having that will certainly get you noticed.”
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.”
• 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
2025 Membership Application
(Illinois) ILDFA: Assoc. Member $25 Active Member $50 Lifetime Member $500 (Iowa) IWDA: _____ Assoc. Member $50 _____ Active Member $100 Lifetime Member $500 (Minnesota) MDFA: Assoc. Member $50 _____ Active Member $75 (North Dakota) NDDRA: Assoc. Member $50 Active Member $75 (South Dakota) SDEBA: Assoc. Member $25 _____ Animal Owners $50
PLEASE NOTE: If you are a resident of any of these states and required to be an active member, please select the correct level above. If you are not sure of your membership status with a state and you sign up, your payment will cover you for the next year. *** These states allow anyone that lives in their state and not raising deer but have interest to supporting the industry to be at the Associate Membership Level. This level is a non-voting level.
Name: Spouse or Partner:
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 __Velvet Antler __ Industry Supplies __ 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 No
Please mail applications to: ILDFA: Mark Voss, 618-343-5653
IWDA: Adam Helgeland, 15425 450th St., Leland, IA 50453 MDFA: Mark Volk, 9095 160th Ave, Royalton, MN 56373 NDDRA: Lani Schafer, 1223 18th Ave NW, Turtle Lake, ND 58575
SDEBA: Brandon Walker, 19145 Robbs Flat Road, Midland, SD 57552
