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.
Top Deer Stand Types: Find the Perfect Setup for Your Hunting Style
Jul 24, 2024Ben Westfall
If you ask ten deer hunters “what deer stand is the best?” you’ll likely get eleven different answers! Deer stand styles, safety, and technology has come a long way since I started hunting, but remains…
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Meet the Mule Deer, Western Cousin of the Whitetail
Jun 18, 2024Ben Westfall
The white-tailed deer is often referred to as “North America’s favorite game animal,” and while that may be true, there are multiple whitetail subspecies and other deer species in North America that we enjoy pursuing,…
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4 Ways Deer Carry Wildlife Conservation on Their Backs
May 7, 2024Ben Westfall
Deer are a keystone species, meaning they help shape their entire ecosystem. Without them, the landscapes they inhabit would be drastically different. As hunters, we know the importance of deer to conservation, but few people…
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Listen to These 5 Facts About Deer Hearing
Oct 4, 2023Ben Westfall
As prey animals, deer have many amazing defense mechanisms for detecting and avoiding predators like us, and one of them is their hearing. We scoured the research from a variety of sources to learn all…
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Where Do Bucks Go When Bachelor Groups Scatter?
Aug 23, 2023Ben Westfall
It is a common sight this time of year to see a half dozen bucks hanging out in a single trail-camera photo. Deer are very social, and you will often find groups of bucks fraternizing…
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3 Simple Food Plot Options for Fall Deer Attraction
Jul 19, 2023Ben Westfall
Believe it or not, fall food plot planting season is right around the corner in much of the country, so now is the perfect time to consider what’s next on the menu. Here are three…
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3 Easy Options for Summer Deer Nutrition and Food Plots
Mar 15, 2023Ben Westfall
“What should I plant in my food plot?” This is the most common question I receive from deer hunters. Fortunately, my experience as a land manager has prepared me to answer this question. I also…
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Easy Venison Philly Cheese Wonton Bites
Feb 8, 2023Ben Westfall
Whether you’re hosting a Super Bowl party, cheering on your favorite college football team, or tailgating for a baseball game, these venison Philly cheese wonton bites are one of our favorites. I sure do love…
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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….
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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…
