By: Ben Westfall

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.

Active Management Keeps CWD Prevalence Low. Inaction Helps it Spread and Grow.

Sep 16, 2025 Ben Westfall

Early detection and intervention are key when it comes to minimizing the spread of chronic wasting disease in deer, and there are many ways wildlife agencies do this, including targeted removal. Targeted removal is a…

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5 Ways Hunters Drive Wildlife Diversity Just by Working for Deer

Jul 23, 2025 Ben Westfall

Deer are North America’s favorite game species, and millions of hunters take to the field each year to pursue these magnificent creatures. But they are also a keystone species, meaning that they help define their…

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Meet the Smallest Deer in North America, Florida’s Key Deer

Mar 5, 2025 Ben Westfall

What do you picture when you think of deer? The iconic whitetail is likely what comes to mind for most of us, but there are several other deer species found in the wild lands of…

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Top Deer Stand Types: Find the Perfect Setup for Your Hunting Style

Jul 24, 2024 Ben 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, 2024 Ben 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, 2024 Ben 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, 2023 Ben 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, 2023 Ben 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, 2023 Ben 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, 2023 Ben 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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