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Big Bucks Pay Dividends to Students

Steve Porter from Lake Bronson, MN, along with sons Austin and Dillan, once again traveled to schools in Minnesota, North Dakota, and Wisconsin with their trophy whitetail display.  The Porter family travels to the schools to educate students about deer behavior, antler development, life cycles of the whitetail deer and hunting techniques.  Steve’s main goal in visiting schools is to get more students interested in outdoor activities such as deer hunting and deer farming.  He strongly believes that young adults who participate in outdoor activities are less apt to get into trouble.

Working as the chief deputy for the Kittson County Sheriff’s Office, Steve uses most of his vacation days educating students not only about deer farming and hunting but about the positive effects both have on building family relationships. 

The Porter’s and their trophy bucks were on the road for 4 weeks visiting schools in the three states during the months of September and October.    The traveling team was a hit at every school, leaving students and teachers talking about the experience for days.  The live bucks provided an excellent learning experience for the students and left them memories they will not soon forget.

Each of the 20 schools receives grant money for the Porter project.  Funding comes from several deer farming associations including the Cervid Livestock Foundation, Whitetails of Wisconsin, Minnesota Deer Breeders Association, North Dakota Deer Ranchers Association and the American Deer & Wildlife Alliance.  Many local sportsmen’s clubs also support the project financially.  These groups realize the importance of getting kids hooked on the outdoors at a young age. 

Educating the general public about the cervid (deer) industry is also an important part of the Cervid Livestock Foundation’s mission.  The Porter project helps to facilitate that mission by reaching thousands of students and adults each year.  The Cervid Livestock Foundation is the research and education foundation of the North American Deer Farmers Association.

 

*The North American Deer Farmer’s Association is an association representing an industry that has an annual economic impact on this nation’s economy of $3 billion.  NADeFA is a political voice for approximately 15,000 deer breeders, ranchers and farmers across the nation.  They represent the deer industry by working closely with state and federal legislators and regulatory agencies to develop rules and regulations that govern the deer industry.  NADeFA is dedicated to the promotion of deer farming and ranching as an agricultural pursuit and serves its members through its educational programs, publications and by providing leadership in setting and maintaining quality standards.