Ben Westfall is NDA's Conservation Coordinator. Ben received both his bachelor of science and master of science degrees from Southeast Missouri State University with an emphasis on wildlife conservation.
Bucks Are More Visible When Deer Hunters Harvest Does
Nov 9, 2022Ben Westfall
“If you shoot a bunch of does, you won’t see any bucks!” I have heard this phrase and its variations time and time again over my years as a deer hunter, land manager and biologist….
read more
Smoked Venison Queso Dip Recipe
May 18, 2022Ben Westfall
Most of my non-hunting friends and family are extremely supportive of hunting but have been hesitant to try venison for a variety of reasons. Whether it is due to their misconceptions from popular culture or social…
read more
Don’t Move That Fawn
May 4, 2022Ben Westfall
It seems like every spring I see a post on social media by someone with a fawn they “rescued” because they found it lying alone in the grass, seemingly frightened. I politely inform them that…
read more
Venison Backstrap Inside and Out: A Muscular Look at America’s Best Cut of Meat
Apr 13, 2022Ben Westfall
Venison backstrap. What more do I need to say? Most experienced deer hunters know where it is, what it looks like, and that we undoubtedly love to eat it. In fact, we’ll venture to say…
read more
Roasted Mediterranean Venison Backstrap
Oct 27, 2021Ben Westfall
We’ve all heard it before. You know the phrase. The one that nearly all hunters have heard when they bring up how excited they are to fill the freezer with venison. “I can’t eat deer,…
read more
5 Pieces of Hunting Gear Every New Deer Hunter Needs
Oct 6, 2021Ben Westfall
Like many of us, I started hunting at a young age wearing mismatched, hand-me-down camo and worn-out gear that was older than I was. My hunting journey has evolved over the years, but when I…
read more
How to Prep for Deer Season in a Small Suburban Home
Sep 8, 2021Ben Westfall
Many of us, myself included, do not own hunting land or even live outside of city limits. In fact, 52% of American households are classified as suburban, while only 21% of households are considered rural!…
read more
Loaded Venison Scrambled Eggs Recipe
Jun 16, 2021Ben Westfall
As hunters, we all know the importance of a hot, home-cooked breakfast after a long, cold morning in the woods. For many, this is another integral part of the deer hunting experience and camaraderie that…
read more
3 More Reasons Deer Hunting Equals Conservation
Apr 21, 2021Ben Westfall
In December 2020, I shed some light on the substantial economic importance of deer hunting in the southeastern United States by highlighting a few interesting facts from a project called the Southeast Deer Partnership. As…
read more
Hunting is Conservation. Here’s Why.
Dec 2, 2020Ben Westfall
I remember being told in school, “You won’t always have a calculator in your pocket” whenever we would complain about having to work math problems out on paper. Not only do we always have a…
