Last week nearly 300 representatives from all across the hunting world attended the 2015 North American Deer Summit in Louisville, Kentucky. The goal of this year’s Summit was to develop specific strategies, timelines and goals geared toward addressing the key issues facing today’s deer populations.
The key issues that carried the discussion in Louisville were hunter recruitment and retention, political influences on hunting, landscape change and habitat loss, the public’s perception of hunting and the captive deer industry. Through the collaboration of deer conservation organizations, hunters, landowners, state/federal agencies, industry leaders, outdoor media and other stakeholders, specific actions were identified to address these threats which are endangering our deer-hunting heritage.
“With the 2015 North American Deer Summit in the books, we feel that we have received the marching orders needed to address the key issues facing our nation’s deer herd today,” stated Craig Dougherty, Executive Director of the National Deer Alliance. “We place great value in the opinions and ideas that were shared over the three-day event and plan to put these strategies to work in the very near future.”
The North American Deer Summit took on a format unlike any other event of its kind. It included an open discussion that allowed each participant to share their thoughts and ideas. Sessions were led by members of the National Deer Alliance, Quality Deer Management Association, Mule Deer Foundation and Whitetails Unlimited. This approach resulted in a compilation of strategies that will help ensure a bright future for deer and deer hunting.
“On behalf of the National Deer Alliance, I’d like to sincerely thank the Quality Deer Management Association,” stated Dougherty. “Without their generous contributions, the North American Deer Summit would not have been possible.”
About the National Deer Alliance:
The NDA is dedicated to uniting deer hunters, managers and enthusiasts like never before, and harnessing their combined power to benefit deer and deer hunting. NDA’s goal is to become the unified voice of deer hunters and guardian of North America’s wild deer, wildlife habitat and our hunting heritage. NDA fuels passions for deer hunting and conservation through networking, fellowship and education. For more information visit www.nationaldeeralliance.com.