The Minnesota Deer Hunters Association has repeatedly been accused of being anti- agriculture and anti-small business. Where are these accusations coming from? Is there any merit to them? Let’s explore!

Beginning in the early to mid-2000s, Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) became a significant concern for whitetail deer management in Minnesota. First detected within captive deer farms throughout the state, the disease slowly began to spread to the wild deer population. This caused every major conservation organization in the state (including MDHA) to take a hardline stance on CWD management and increased regulation of captive deer farms. We have seen the impact that the unmitigated spread of the disease has had in other states and the conservation organizations of Minnesota united to ensure it wouldn’t happen here. This recently culminated in the passage of new legislation that increased deer farm oversight and heightened restrictions limiting the transport of captive cervids as well as contact between captive and wild cervidae.

The deer farmers of Minnesota, understandably, did not approve of this stance, nor the resulting legislation, as it directly threatens the future of their businesses. We must remember that first and foremost conservation organizations are tasked with the mission of protecting and enhancing our wildlife populations. This mission does not and should not always align with private industry. So, if every major conservation organization is in alignment on this issue, why is MDHA being blamed for the demise of deer farms? Who knows?

Is MDHA anti-agriculture? Absolutely not. Our MDHA State President is a farmer. I come from a long line of farmers in western Minnesota. Many of our members are farmers. Some of our biggest supporters are agricultural seed companies. We absolutely support agriculture and the amazing farmers of America that work tirelessly to ensure that our families receive the food we rely on.

How can we be pro-agriculture and advocate for increased regulation of deer farms? It’s simple. Our mission is to protect and enhance our wild deer herd and we must support all action that aims to accomplish this goal. This is not an anti-agricultural stance, this is a pro- wildlife stance. I think the vast majority of Minnesotans understand this.

Is MDHA anti-small business? No. Again, we are pro-wildlife and cannot and will not always align with all private industries in accomplishing our work. And how big is the deer farm industry in Minnesota really? As of September of 2023, there were 117 licensed deer farms in the state of Minnesota. This includes anything from large private hunting preserves, to families who have a single pet deer in their yard. Of all the captive deer in Minnesota in 2023, 50% lived on just 16 farms, 75% on just 35 farms. This is not a thriving industry that conservation groups like MDHA are putting out of business. Furthermore, who are these deer farms serving? Are they providing a vital food source for you and your family? When was the last time you went to the supermarket to purchase farmed venison?

In fact, I would argue that many of these farms are serving the wealthiest among us and wanting us to believe the facade that they are hard-working farmers providing for the average American. One deer farm in northwestern Minnesota advertises “guaranteed success” guided hunts of their “privately owned trophy deer” for $6,500 - $10,000+. Just today I spent $10.57 on one dozen eggs that a true, hard-working farmer busted their butt to produce. I, like most Minnesotans, could never afford $6,500+ to hang some antlers on my wall. This is not agriculture. This is not small-business. This is elitism masking as populism in an attempt to gain your sympathy and encourage you to vote against your own interests. It is most certainly not an industry that would cause conservation organizations like MDHA to forsake their mission of wildlife conservation in order to preserve it.

I, and MDHA, support the true farmers of America and the small businesses that provide the goods and services that our families rely on. We are here for the hunters of Minnesota. We are here for our wild whitetail deer herd. We will continue to fight for you and the future of the hunting traditions we all hold dear.