January 5, 2023 – The National Deer Association (NDA) is pleased to present its 2022 Conservation Awards recognizing significant contributions to the future of wild deer, wildlife habitat and hunting. Winners have been named in the six following categories.
Hunting Heritage Award
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 the Pennsylvania Game Commission as the recipient of the 2022 Hunting Heritage Award. The award recognizes PGC’s partnership creating a new-of-its-kind, Field to Fork Coordinator position. The position, funded through PGC, will oversee the expansion of NDA’s Field to Fork, adult food-focused learn-to-hunt programs and other Recruitment, Retention and Reactivation (R3) initiatives. Read more about this award here.
Professional Deer Manager of the Year
For his significant on-the-ground contributions to deer and deer hunting through education, research and management on public and private lands, NDA is pleased to name Jim Heffelfinger, Wildlife Science Coordinator for the Arizona Game and Fish Department, as its 2022 NDA Professional Deer Manager of the Year Award winner. Read more about this award here.
Deer Manager of the Year
This award is presented to a person or persons who demonstrates an outstanding commitment to sound management of deer habitat and wildlife populations. Heartland Bowhunter, the outdoor video production company from Kansas City, Missouri, receives the 2022 NDA Deer Manager of the Year Award. Read more about this award winner here.
Agency of the Year
Wildlife agencies that receive this award boast a record of innovative and progressive deer management, initiating positive change through science, regulation and hunter involvement. NDA is pleased to recognize the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries as its 2022 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. Alex Robinson of Minnesota, editor-in-chief of Outdoor Life, is the 2022 recipient. Learn more about Robinson and the award here.
Joe Hamilton Lifetime Achievement Award
NDA is pleased to announce that Dr. Steve Demarais of the Mississippi State University Deer Lab is the recipient of the 2022 NDA Joe Hamilton Lifetime Achievement Award. Through his research and various media platforms, Demarais has educated hundreds of thousands of people on deer management around the globe. 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
The National Deer Association is the leading non-profit deer conservation group and works 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 40 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, YouTube and TikTok.