HELLO & WELCOME EVERYONE
Vice President's Message
Summer in Florida is known for hot rainy days, bugs, family vacations and tourists. However, to deer farmers it is probably the most exciting time of the year with the fawning season and watching our bucks grow those big beautiful racks.
I can't help you with the heat, rain, or tourists, but you will find a brief article in this issue of Southeast Tines about bug control which you may find beneficial.
I truly hope that everyone has had an exciting and fun fawning season with little stress or sadness. As summer comes to an end, so does the growth of antlers. The rewards of food supplements have helped our bucks to reach their maximum potential and are also vital for our lactating does.
We as deer farmers often know what to expect , but should the unexpected occur, remember that your Board and I are always here to help.
With that said, the "unwanted and unexpected" has finally arrived in Florida, CWD. It was discovered in Holmes county early this year in a 4.5 year old wild (non-captive) deer. Your Board and I have been working with USDA and FWC, to make sure they are aware of our concerns as captive deer farmers and preserve owners. We have also been working hard to keep you and our members informed, on our new Website and Facebook page, about the latest information as it develops.
At this year's SETDA Summer Picnic, there will be members from USDA and FWC to discuss CWD. There will be brief presentations and updates from UF CHeRI, as well as education concerning the nutritional needs of whitetail deer at various stages in their life. For the first time, SETDA will have a dart gun competition. Ladies and gentlemen, if you want the braggin rights..... put your money where your mouth is! May the best shot win. As always there will be great food and fellowship, a gun raffle, discount vouchers for deer feed and dart guns, and if time permits a roundtable Q&A to your Board about the Business of Deer Farming and Hunting Preserves.
SETDA now has accounts at both Champion Genetics and Great Lakes Sire Semen storage for all semen donations. Your Board and I, want to thank all sponsors, donors, consignors, advertisers, booth sales, and our family of deer farmers and preserve owners for making the SETDA Spring Fling a success. Before you know it we will be reaching out once again for your continued support.
Your Board of Directors and I, want to remind everyone that all memberships are on a calendar year basis, January 1 thru December 31. It has also come to our attention that FWC is way behind in approving GFL and HP/BHP licenses, so go online and renew earlier than you ever have in the past. Please check out our "new" website. We have been working hard to make it much more user friendly. You can also find us on Facebook. We want to make it as easy as possible for you to be able to communicate with your Board about any issues or concerns. We are here to HELP AND SERVE YOU.
We can accomplish great things, like our Student Scholarship program, with your active support and participation. To quote a friend of mine, "Step Up and Get You Some".
Stay Safe, Well, and "Florida Strong"
God Bless
Dr. William "Bill" Leffler, Jr