NDA staff have been recruiting, retaining, and reactivating new adult hunters through our Field to Fork program in Missouri since 2019. Over that time, we have expanded our R3 efforts in the state not only through the Field to Fork program, but by also partnering with other agencies and groups like the Missouri Department of Conservation, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Baptist Homes & Healthcare Ministries, Missouri Hunting Heritage Federation, and more. Through these partnerships, we hosted and partnered to host 15 mentored deer hunting events for over 75 new hunters across the state during the 2024-25 hunting season. We had hunts with crossbows, muzzleloaders, and rifles for a wide range of ages all the way from 8 to 82.
Mark Twain Lake
To ring in Missouri’s archery season opener, the National Deer Association and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers partnered on a first of its kind crossbow hunt at the Indian Creek Campground and Group Use Area at Mark Twain Lake. Over the course of this three-day event, participants from non-hunting backgrounds had the opportunity to learn about how hunting fits into conservation, hunting etiquette, shot placement, and firearm safety and handling.
As the sun came up during the last morning of the event, one group was treated to a special surprise. While patiently waiting for a mature doe to work within range, a black rat snake ended up losing its traction and fell to the floor, nearly landing in the lap of a first-time hunter. He got quite the scare and needless to say, the doe did not work within range.
During the Thanksgiving weekend, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers once again hosted the National Deer Association, Missouri Department of Conservation, Mark Twain Lake FOREST Council, and the Mississippi Hills Chapter of the Master Naturalists for an annual Firearms Youth Deer Hunt. Over the course of this three-day event, nine youth participants and their parents had the opportunity to learn all about Missouri’s wildlife species, hunting ethics, shot placement, firearm safety and handling, and participate in a group snowball fight that broke out at basecamp. By the end of the holiday weekend, five youth hunters had harvested their first deer, and two more had harvested their first and second deer ever.
Governor’s Annual Mentored Deer Hunt
For the second consecutive year during Missouri’s new early antlerless rifle season, NDA staff had the opportunity to cooperate with multiple organizations and partners to participate in the Governor’s Second Annual Mentored Deer Hunt. Despite temperatures hovering in the high 80s and low 90s, multiple properties across the state hosted 35 new hunters and their mentors for the weekend event.
Many of the participating landowners were part of the Deer Management Assistance Program and had a goal of reducing deer densities on their properties, which provided ample opportunities for the new hunters to have a chance at harvesting a deer. This event is a win-win situation for all and creates an invaluable opportunity for new hunters and landowners facing the challenges that come with high deer densities.
Blackbird Creek Cooperative and Mike Hinkle Farms
To kick off Missouri’s Late Firearms Antlerless Deer Season, the National Deer Association partnered with the Blackbird Creek Cooperative and Mike Hinkle Farms to host the 3rd Annual Unionville Field to Fork Program. Over the course of the three-day event, five participants from non-hunting backgrounds had the opportunity to learn all about harvesting their own locally sourced venison and assist the landowner in achieving his deer management goals. By breakfast time, all five hunters had harvested their first deer and mentors and new hunters alike were able to share stories, learn how to process their own venison through a hands-on demonstration, and take in the full deer camp experience. In the end, everyone departed with a cooler full of venison and newfound knowledge on sourcing their own protein.
Prairie Fork Conservation Area
The National Deer Association also partnered with the Missouri Department of Conservation to host a Field to Fork Program at Prairie Fork Conservation Area near Williamsburg. Four participants from non-hunting backgrounds enjoyed some education, practice at the local shooting range, and a warm venison meal before heading out to hunt with their mentor for the evening hunt. This event at Prairie Fork was a true testament of the impact of NDA’s Field to Fork program, as a previous mentee had the opportunity to return and help mentor the next generation of new hunters.
5th Annual Mid-Missouri Field to Fork Program
In mid-December, NDA staff and board members, including Secretary of the Board Natalie Krebs, CEO Nick Pinizzotto, Midwest Regional Director Nathan Martin, Northern Missouri Deer Outreach Specialist Cole Gander, and Southern Missouri Deer Outreach Specialist Cheyne Matzenbacher, gathered at C7 Outfitters for the 5th Annual Mid-Missouri Field to Fork Program. Thanks to landowners Rick Dahl, Robert Krebs, Tim Collins, and Andy Clay, fifteen new hunters from non-hunting backgrounds and various outdoor industries and organizations including American Outdoor Brands, Outdoor Life, and the Missouri Department of Conservation, had the opportunity to learn all about harvesting their own locally sourced venison. When it was all said and done, 11 of the 15 new hunters had harvested their first deer, and all participants were able to get hands on processing practice to conclude their Field to Fork experience.
Ozark Mountain Mark Twain Branch
The Ozark Mountain Mark Twain Branch hosted a Field to Fork event near Neosho, Missouri that brought four brand-new hunters into the fold of Missouri’s rich hunting heritage. For some, it was their first time ever firing a rifle during the range session and by the end of the weekend, they’d not only harvested their own game but gained the confidence and knowledge to pursue hunting on their own. The new hunters and mentors really dove into the whole “hunting camp” experience by setting up camp and staying in a big wall tent for the event. The camaraderie amongst the group brought them closer together and gave them a sense of belonging in the outdoors.
This wasn’t just about filling a tag, it was about conservation in action. This was more than just a weekend hunt. This experience planted the seeds for future mentors. Each participant walked away with not only practical skills but a new sense of stewardship for our natural resources. As one first-time hunter put it, “I came in not knowing anything about hunting, and I’m leaving ready to help teach someone else next year.”
Senior Field to Fork Events
The National Deer Association (NDA) once again teamed up with Baptist Homes & Healthcare Ministries this season to host some very special Field to Fork events for six senior residents at Baptist Homes’ campuses across Missouri. This year was extra special, though, as nine additional faculty and staff members at the participating locations had the opportunity to join in on the festivities as first-time deer hunters!
What began as a unique program to focus on the reactivation part of R3 (Recruit, Retain, and Reactivate), has now grown to inspire younger generations to take up the pursuit of hunting and tackle food insecurity issues for staff members in the medical field. These outstanding efforts and their continued commitment to furthering the mission of the Field to Fork program led Baptist Homes & Healthcare Ministries to be named as a recipient of NDA’s 2024 Hunting Heritage Award.
In Arcadia Valley, four senior and four staff hunters participated in an early October archery hunt and a late November firearms hunt on the 160-acre campus. Before heading out to the blind to try and harvest their first deer, the hunters were treated to some education on deer biology and hunting provided by NDA’s Deer Outreach Specialist Cheyne Matzenbacher, a delicious venison lunch, and added shooting instruction. After lunch, the first group of hunters got ready and headed to their blinds with their mentors for an evening crossbow hunt.
Like previous years, it was not long before reports of deer sightings began to roll in. This year was different, though, as one deer read the script and presented staff member, Mrs. Vivian Hillsbery, with a shot opportunity that evening. Fortunately, the shooting instruction earlier in the day paid off, and she was able to harvest her first deer ever while deer hunting for the first time. The shot opportunity was just the beginning, as Vivian’s tears of joy in the blind were the ultimate reminder as to why we partner with Baptist Homes & Healthcare Ministries on these special Field to Fork events. It also serves as a call to action for all hunters to do their part and mentor a new hunter.
In November, the second group of hunters headed to their blinds hoping to piggyback off Vivian’s success. This time around, reactivated senior hunter Mr. Sonny Sanders harvested his first deer in a very long time at the spry young age of 82! It was certainly an extra special year for these senior Field to Fork hunts at the Arcadia Valley Campus.
Thanks in large part to local landowner David Mintert, four residents and staff members at the Tri-City (Vandalia) location were also given the opportunity to participate in one of their own special Field to Fork programs on private property. Several deer were seen and a shot was fired, but the two-day event ultimately concluded without a harvest. Regardless of this fact, the occasion was still considered a success by all involved. As one new senior hunter thankfully attested, “I am grateful to just be here. Hunting is never something that was offered to me before, so I am excited!”
In Ashland, one senior resident and one staff member were able to celebrate the holiday season and close out Missouri’s Alternative Methods Deer Season by participating in the final Field to Fork event for the 2024 calendar year. Despite the damp, rainy conditions not being conducive to the intricacies of muzzleloader hunting, the two hunter and mentor pairs were treated to some sweet Little Debbie snacks and multiple deer sightings. Although none were harvested, this event, along with all the special Field to Fork programs with Baptist Homes & Healthcare Ministries in 2024 were a tremendous achievement.
As BHHM President and CEO Dr. Rodney Harrison put it, “The success of the Baptist Homes/NDA partnership is best summed up in the words of Dr. Fred Davis, a resident at the Arcadia Valley campus, ‘I came here to die, but through this deer hunt, God showed me that I was here to live.’ Such is the restorative power of being in God’s creation.”
The Missouri Hunting Heritage Federation
NDA’s Southern Missouri Deer Outreach Specialist, Cheyne Matzenbacher, had the pleasure of providing seven youth hunters, their parents/guardians, and their hunting mentors a deer processing demonstration for the first ever mentored hunting event at Maramec Spring Park. This event was hosted by the Missouri Hunting Heritage Federation at the James Foundation’s property. Recent historic flooding caused some issues with some of the pop-up blinds washing away before the event, but everyone went away with a great hunting experience and some great deer hunting education nonetheless.
Trace Place Field to Fork near Quaker
NDA’s Midwest Regional Director Nathan Martin and his father, Steve, hosted a Field to Fork event at their family farm near the historic town of Quaker, Missouri. This was the second time they have opened up their property for a Field to Fork event in the last few years. Those two hunts were about as opposite as you can get with the first one being late season with crossbows out of ground blinds with a temperature of 17° and this year’s during the main rifle season from elevated box blinds with the temperature near 70° for parts of the hunt. Unfortunately, no shot opportunities were presented, but the hunters and mentors still enjoyed the weekend and were treated to some awesome wildlife viewing as they got a chance to see a bobcat and a coyote at close range.
Upper Ozarks Wildlife Cooperative
For the third consecutive season, Cheyne was down in the southern part of the state near Salem mentoring two adult hunters at the property of Upper Ozarks Wildlife Cooperative leader, Shawn Gresham during the late antlerless rifle season. What was supposed to be an opportunity to help the landowner with his antlerless harvest while providing the hunters with a chance at their first antlerless deer harvest ended up being more of a buck parade throughout the weekend. No shots were fired, but the participants still had a great time and got a chance to enjoy some delicious venison meals to boot.
Alternative Methods Season Women’s Hunt
During the alternative methods season in late December, NDA hosted our very first “Women’s Only” Field to Fork event in Missouri in conjunction with the Lost Camp Creek Wildlife Cooperative. Mentors from American Daughters of Conservation and Ozark Mountain Outdoors & Taxidermy were there to guide the three new hunters throughout the weekend. This was also an antlerless muzzleloader hunt, so the deer had to be at a much closer range than with modern rifles. Apparently, the deer didn’t get that memo as they stayed out of range except for the bucks who came close to the hunters for some great encounters.
Mentees and Mentors Needed
Seventy three percent of Americans approve of legal, regulated hunting. This means there are a lot of potential hunters out there, and chances are that you probably know someone who has never hunted before! If you know someone who may be interested in learning to source their own local protein, please share the QR code below or click here to get them pre-registered for one of our Field to Fork events in Missouri this fall. There are several locations across the state to choose from!
If you are a Missouri landowner interested in hosting a Field to Fork event on your property to aide in your antlerless deer harvest while providing opportunities for new hunters, please reach out to Cole in Northern Missouri or Cheyne in Southern Missouri!
NDA’s Field to Fork program is making a difference, but we need more help. Hunter numbers are still declining, and it is an issue that no single individual or organization can tackle on their own. However, there is one action that every hunter can and should be taking: becoming a mentor. Are you willing to help us keep our hunting heritage alive and well by serving as a mentor for these aspiring new hunters?