Our unique state of Florida has much to offer our fellow hunters. From whitetail velvet hunting season to exotics to traditional whitetail hunting, it seems there’s always something to look forward to. I recently enjoyed a velvet hunt so much I didn’t make it back home until 1 a.m.! 

While we’ve spent much of the summer in a drought, we recently had a deluge of rain in certain areas of our state. While that is a much-welcome relief, so is the fact that we’ve only a few reported cases of EHD this year. As we glance ahead to fall, we look forward to fostering a deeper understanding of what our general members and board members need to become more cohesive in our decision making. We value everyone who chooses to raise deer in a state that is as unique as its people. We are always seeking to stand strong together.

Please mark your calendars for March 5th and 6th of 2027, when our annual Spring Fling is scheduled to take place at our usual venue in Orlando. If anyone has any thoughts or any concerns they would like to share with me, please feel free to give me a call or send me a text. Thank you! I’m looking forward to spending time with everyone!   

From President Matt Young

The Southeast Trophy Deer Association recently had our annual Spring Fling March 6th and 7th, 2026. The two-day event had 150 deer farmers and preserve owners and families joining us from across the country. Pennsylvania, Texas, Michigan, Indiana and Alabama were just a few of the states that joined us. We are very grateful to all of the deer farmers and their families that participated in our event. We were also very happy to support NADeFA with a $3,000 check that we presented to Associate Executive Director, Troy Zacchini. We also presented Miranda Imeri with a $2,000 check as a scholarship award.

We are looking forward to our summer picnic August 8th, view more information on page 9, and also for our Spring Fling in 2027. Thank you to all of our generous vendors, lecturers and all who placed ads, consignments and donations. If there are any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to any of our Board of Directors. 

Thank you! Sincerely, Vice President Matt Young. And, as always, stay safe and Florida Strong!!

Winter has been brutal this year across the nation with many struggling with ice, deep snow, and bitter cold temperatures.   Even Florida saw the white stuff this year, but compared to our Northern friends, our animals and us were truly blessed.  

For many, Spring will not come soon enough.  Simply ask any teenager or college  student where they plan on heading for spring break, and Florida will be at the top of  the list.  Remember the old saying, “ HAPPY WIFE, HAPPY LIFE”.   So why not make your  kids and wife happy and join us at one of Florida’s biggest events, the Southeast Trophy Deer Association’s Spring Fling Fundraising Auction this March 6-7, in Orlando.   (Please see our website for details)

As the deer industry continues to change, the board of directors and I, have been dedicated to keeping you informed and up to date, so that you may be best prepared for any challenges that may arise.   In this  issue, you will find articles from two doctors,  Dr. Joe Ables and Dr. Chris Ashworth, which will do just that.  Their topics cover the latest advancements in caring for your animals.  By the way, you will be able to meet and hear both speaking this March at our upcoming Spring Fling.

In Part 8 of the series, The Truth About CWD, you will discover why THE NUMBERS DON’T ADD UP,  and how the greatest change and advancement to man’s processing of information and problem solving with the help of AI, is something that Federal and State agencies will come to fear.  They can no longer hide the truth with lies......just ask AI !

The 2025 Annual Meeting of Members to elect board members was held Saturday  January 10, 2026 at the Tucker Hill Pavillion off Croom Road in Brooksville, Florida.  I want to thank all those who voted.  Three board of directors were elected who’s term will begin March 7th at the conclusion of the 2026 Spring Fling.   Benny Wilkison and Tim Cromwell were both re-elected for another 3 year term,  while Les Simon, was elected to serve the remaining two years of my term.

It has been my great honor to serve on this board and to ensure that ALL Florida deer farmers, from the smallest to the largest, were represented.  To the best of my abilities, I have tried to promote and market Florida’s deer and to assist others in doing the same.  As well as, to help educate, and keep all those who were interested, informed of the latest advancements in caring for deer, regardless if they were deer farmers or not, and to ensure that our members were kept abreast of any plans and  changes that FWC and the Florida Dept. of AG were proposing which could affect them, and to make sure that they heard our concerns,  and to be the best steward of your trust and funds as possible.   Every member should be proud that what once was a dream has become a reality, and for the 3rd year in a row, we will be awarding a Scholarship recipient at the Spring Fling.  

Always remember, myself and your board are here to serve you.  If you have any  questions or concerns, please let us know.  We all may not always see eye to eye, but your input is valued, and your voice will always be respectfully listened to.

A good friend of mine once said, “It’s not the path we walk, but those we meet along the way that make the journey oh so rewarding”.

As always, stay Safe and Florida Strong,

Sincerely,

Dr. Bill Leffler

It’s that time of year once again, where we see the fruits of our labor. Our fawns are weaned and does are ready for breeding. Our bucks are big, beautiful, hard horned, and now dangerous to each other and ourselves. Those that have not already been sold as stockers should have their temperament greatly improved or their antlers removed. In this issue you will read an article, To Cut or Not To Cut, and make your own opinion.

It’s also that time of year when deer farmers’ plans for the future are put into action. You can’t change or improve the genetics standing on your farm unless you buy different deer, embryos, or semen. Regardless if you intend to Al or live breed, try to relax, take a deep breath, and remember it’s in God’s hands.

In part 7 of the series, The Truth About CWD, you will read about the second case of CWD being confirmed in Florida and part of my discussion with Steve Padgett who owns a preserve in the “quarantine zone”. I was only too happy to send him all the information I could about CWD so that he was fully prepared for a meeting with FWC.

This year’s Summer Picnic held at the Austin Carey Learning Center was again a huge success. SETDA’s primary goal for the event as always was to help educate deer farmers., and boy did we. Thanks to the help of Dr. Diane Kitchens with FDACS, Ken Holmes with FWC, and the incredible team from CHeRI. The great folks at CHeRI were kind and allowed me to use their data and slides for a presentation that I gave at Pennsylvania’s Deer Fundraising Auction in September. I was asked to be a speaker and help educate our northern friends about hemorrhagic diseases. The timing was unfortunately a few months too late as many states were being ravished by EHD and BTV with heartbreaking losses.

Our Spring Fling Fundraising Auction will once again be held at the Double Tree Hilton by the Orlando airport. You will find information about it, including room discounts, and how you and others can market your deer and products. Members from SETDA’s board of directors will be reaching out to assist you with this and ask for your support. We look forward to seeing everyone there.

Let me introduce you to the newest members of SETDA’s BOD:

Michael “Andrew” Owens, with Whitetail Country Plantation in Live Oak, Florida

Blaine Flynn, with Flynn Farms in Milton, Florida

As always, myself, and your board are here to serve you. Please reach out with any questions or concerns. We will be having announcing the date of the annual meeting to be held prior to January 15th to elect new board members whose term is expiring. Voting members should look forward to receiving a ballot to either be sent by mail or electronically after January 1st.  Those interested in being on the board of directors, will find the application form inside, which must be turned in before the ballots are sent out.

I want to wish everyone in advance, a Happy Thanksgiving, Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year!

As always, stay Florida Strong and Safe,

Sincerely,

Dr. Bill Leffler

• 68A-4.0052 Possession and Release of Live Mallards.doc
• 68A-12.006 Sale of Pen-Raised Quail.doc
• 68A-12.011 Regulations Governing Game Farms.doc
• 68A-12.010 Regulations Governing Hunting Preserves.doc
• 68A-1.004 Definitions.doc

The Southeast Trophy Deer Association recently held our annual Spring Fling Fundraiser.  The two-day event provided an opportunity to meet, and ask questions of, and

learn from other deer farmers across the state and country.  We welcomed speakers from Texas, Missouri, and Pennsylvania share their success stories of raising deer and 

concerns.  All agreed that breeding CWD resistance into their herds is critical for the future of deer farming.  The free educational seminars provided vital information on

how to become better stewards for our animals.  The doctors and staff at UF CHeRI shared the newest breakthrough in combating hemorrhagic disease.    Ashley Petersen, 

traveled from South Dakota to update us on Medgene's progress with vaccines.  While Mike Russin from Mixlab, covered various meds for deer immobilization.

This year we presented two Scholarship awards, one to Miranda Imeri and the other to Presli Busby.  We also offered new Florida deer farmers an opportunity to WIN A FREE

DEER, thanks to the generosity of the following sponsors: Dr. Bill Leffler from 2 Base Down Whitetails,  Sam Petersheim from Cresent Ranch, and Mike Vizcaino Deer Farm.  The biggest winners were our audience, those attending in person and online.   

Thanks to our generous sponsors, vendors, lecturers, and all those who placed ads, consignments, and donations for helping to make 2025 SETDA's Spring Fling a huge success.   

Sincerely,

Dr. Bill Leffler

SETDA Pres. 

This bill has been a long time coming and makes the FWC Board more representative of the entire state. It further protects all private landowners rights from FWC coming onto their property without a warrant. Unanimously passed 116 to 0 on April 16th.

CS/CS/HB 1133: Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

View Clip Here

At its February meeting, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) approved rule changes for hunt preserves and game farms, to enhance public safety, prevent wildlife escapes, align with industry standards, increase accountability and clarify existing regulations.

In 2017, the FWC implemented significant changes to hunt preserve and game farm rules, including enclosure requirements to prevent animal escapes. Over the past seven years, FWC staff and stakeholders have identified areas for further improvement. The revised rules, developed in collaboration with stakeholders, include updates to enclosure requirements, such as water gaps and new gate designs, to better reflect industry needs.

“We appreciate the Commissioners’ recognizing the need for these hunt preserve and game farms rule revisions, said Maj. John Wilke, FWC Captive Wildlife section leader. “These updates will reflect current industry standards, clarify regulations, and improve safety for both wildlife and the public.”

Key changes also include:

A requirement for dissolved facilities to properly dispose of wildlife in their possession.

Increased permit holder accountability for actions taken by their employees.

A prohibition on hunting captive-bred turkeys on hunt preserves.

Key points:

Enclosure requirements – New standards address water gap enclosures and gates, which were not covered in previous rules but are necessary for operation.

Dissolution of facilities – Facilities that lose their permits due to revocation or nonrenewal must legally remove all captive wildlife, ensuring accountability and preventing unlicensed individuals from continuing operations.

Escaped wildlife – Permit holders are required to make reasonable efforts to recapture escaped animals.

Permit holder responsibility – Permit holders are accountable for violations related to their FWC permit committed by employees at the facility.

genomically-estimated-breeding-value.pdf

68A-12.011 Game Farms DRAFT 10-1-24 (1).doc

68A-12.010 Hunt Preserves DRAFT 10-1-24 (2).doc