January 6, 2021 – The National Deer Association (NDA) is pleased to present its 2021 Conservation Awards recognizing significant contributions to the future of wild deer, wildlife habitat and hunting. Winners have been named in the six following categories.
Recognizing significant contributions to our hunting heritage with the potential to make lasting impacts for current and future generations of hunters, NDA is proud to name First Lite as the recipient of the 2021 Hunting Heritage Award. First Lite has demonstrated strong support for NDA, especially in the area of hunter recruitment and NDA’s Field to Fork program. Read more about this award here.
Professional Deer Manager of the Year
For making significant strides in the fight against chronic wasting disease (CWD), NDA named Dr. Krysten Schuler of New York as its 2021 Professional Deer Manager of the Year. Schuler is a wildlife disease ecologist and assistant research professor at Cornell University’s Wildlife Health Lab, and she serves on NDA’s Science and Research Advisory Committee.
Read more about this award here.
This award is presented to an amateur deer manager who demonstrates an outstanding commitment to sound management of deer habitat and wildlife populations. Mike Hinkle of Flower Mound, Texas, is the 2021 NDA Deer Manager of the Year. Read more about this award winner here.
Wildlife agencies that receive this award boast a record of innovative and progressive deer management, initiating positive change through science, regulation and hunter involvement. This year’s recipient is no different. NDA is pleased to recognize the New York Department of Environmental Conservation (NYDEC) as its 2021 Agency of the Year. Read more about the agency’s work here.
Signpost Communicator of the Year Award
Named after the organization’s first newsletter, the Signpost award goes to an outdoor communicator who shares accurate information with deer hunters, works to ensure a strong future for whitetails, and supports the NDA and its mission. Josh Honeycutt of Kentucky is the 2021 recipient. Learn more about Honeycutt and the award here.
Joe Hamilton Lifetime Achievement Award
NDA is pleased to announce that Dr. Craig Harper of the University of Tennessee is the recipient of the 2021 NDA Joe Hamilton Lifetime Achievement Award for his decades of deer research, contributions to habitat management knowledge, and unwavering support for NDA for many years. Learn more about this award here.
Join NDA and support their mission today, or sign up for their free e-newsletter to receive the latest on deer hunting and management at DeerAssociation.com
About the National Deer Association
Formally launched on November 10, 2020, the National Deer Association is a non-profit deer conservation group that leads efforts to ensure the future of wild deer, wildlife habitat and hunting. Formed by combining the strengths of two long-serving, successful organizations, the National Deer Association has a combined 38 years of action that has changed deer management for the betterment of hunting and protected North America’s most vital and admired game species for future generations. Visit DeerAssociation.com or follow @deerassociation on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and YouTube.