By: Cheyne Matzenbacher

Cheyne Matzenbacher is an NDA Deer Outreach Specialist in Missouri. A Missouri native and lifelong deer hunter, Cheyne works with private landowners to establish and support Wildlife Management Cooperatives in the southern half of the state.

5 Ways Farmers Can Stop Deer Crop Damage

May 28, 2025 Cheyne Matzenbacher

One deer eats about a ton of forage per year, and if you are a farmer trying to produce a cash crop, this can be costly if those deer decide they like what you are…

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How to Take a Food Plot Soil Sample

Apr 2, 2025 Cheyne Matzenbacher

A soil sample test can be the difference between a quality deer food plot and a failed food plot. This simple test can save you time, energy and of course money by determining your actual…

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How to Clean a Deer Skull for a European Mount

Oct 9, 2024 Cheyne Matzenbacher

Skull mounts, also known as a European mount or Euro mount, have long been a great way to preserve and display a memorable deer harvest. Back in a time when it was difficult to preserve…

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Find Hidden Public Hunting Lands Near You

Jul 10, 2024 Cheyne Matzenbacher

Hunters are always looking for a great place to hunt, but many hunters don’t have access to private land or don’t know where to start when it comes to public land hunting. Most hunters are…

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How to Feather Field Edges for Deer Attraction and Habitat Improvement

Mar 27, 2024 Cheyne Matzenbacher

This article is about feathering edges to improve deer habitat, not feathering hair. I remember the feathered hairstyle fad back in the 80s, but I don’t think feathered edges are a fad because this is…

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NDA Participates in Missouri Governor’s Mentored Deer Hunt

Oct 17, 2023 Cheyne Matzenbacher

On the first weekend of October in Missouri, NDA Deer Outreach Specialists Cheyne Matzenbacher and Cole Gander had the opportunity to cooperate with multiple organizations and partners to participate in the Governor’s Mentored Deer Hunt. …

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My Birthday Buck Had Upper Canine Teeth. Yes, Deer Fangs!

Sep 13, 2023 Cheyne Matzenbacher

Fangs on a whitetail? Yes, both whitetails and mule deer can sometimes grow small, upper canine teeth. I was aware of this rare phenomenon in deer, but I got some hands-on experience in fall 2022…

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The Many Coat Colors of White-tailed Deer: Albino, Piebald, Melanistic and More

Aug 2, 2023 Cheyne Matzenbacher

Deer come in a wide variety of colors. Though most are brown or gray, you also see shades or red, coats of silver, and there are several rare color phases that include white and even…

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Deer Hunters Should be Weed Farmers

Apr 19, 2023 Cheyne Matzenbacher

Deer hunters should be weed farmers. Wait, not that kind of weed! I’m talking about forbs – all those non-grass, broad-leaved, herbaceous plants that most people call “weeds” and most deer consider food. Common ragweed,…

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Creating Deer Food Plots With Minimal Equipment

Mar 1, 2023 Cheyne Matzenbacher

Many hunters want to maximize their hunting success by planting a food plot but might not think they have the equipment to do so. However, if you are willing to roll up your sleeves and…

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