In-Person Modules | National Deer Association

2025 In-Person Modules

Program Overview

The NDA’s Deer Steward in-person modules were developed with the goal of increasing your knowledge and understanding of one specific topic from our Levels 1 and 2 courses. The modules take a more detailed look into a particular area of interest that requires an expanded focus to fully cover the principles and objectives of the subject.

Each course was designed with our members and supporters in mind to provide exciting and unique educational opportunities that build upon the current foundation of the Deer Steward program.

Available Modules

Learn and Burn — May 17 in Spring Grove, Virginia

The NDA is once again offering our very own Learn and Burn prescribed fire module! Alongside the Southeast Virginia Prescribed Burn Association, the Learn and Burn module will focus on prescribed fire techniques that you can use to reach your wildlife and habitat management objectives on your own land. Led by Kip Adams, this course will provide students with the opportunity to learn about the history, benefits, planning, preparation, and implementation of prescribed fire by participating in a live burn! (weather permitting)

By taking the Learn and Burn module, attendees will have gained enough knowledge to greatly improve the quality and diversity of wildlife habitat on the land they hunt or manage!

Registration also includes FREE access to the NDA’s Habitat Management Online module!

Program Instructors

Kip Adams, Wildlife Biologist, NDA’s Chief Conservation Officer
Ben Westfall, Wildlife Biologist, NDA’s Senior Conservation Coordinator

Note: Not all instructors will be at each course and others may be added.

Program Costs

Learn and Burn Module:
$250

Early Bird discount ($50 off) will be applied if paying on/before March 1, 2025.

NOTE: Special group savings are available for NDA Branch officers/directors (up to 25% off). Contact Ben Westfall for more info.

What’s Included: instruction, course guide, certificate of completion, lunch, an NDA membership for non-members, and the Habitat Management online module.

CFE Credit: N/A

What’s Not Included: prescribed fire certification, some meals, travel, and lodging (lodging option will be reserved, information provided after registration).

Registration

Once all openings for the courses are filled, applicants will be placed on a waiting list for the next available course in the order their applications were received.

Property Design and Hunting Setups — June 20-22 in Perryville, Missouri

Back again in 2025, our newly developed Property Design and Hunting Setups module will focus on how to develop and arrange cover and food to your advantage in deer hunting situations. Led by Kip Adams and Dr. Craig Harper, this course will provide you with in-depth knowledge of how to best position your deer stands and blinds to utilize food, cover, terrain, wind, and access to minimize hunting pressure and increase your hunting success.

By taking the Property Design and Hunting Setups module, attendees will also receive 1:1 advice from course instructors on how to design your own hunting property to establish ideal hunting setups.

That’s right, bring a physical or digital copy of your hunting property map and receive custom recommendations from Kip Adams, Dr. Craig Harper, and Ben Westfall. You won’t receive this unique benefit at such a great price anywhere else!

Program Instructors

Kip Adams, Wildlife Biologist, NDA’s Chief Conservation Officer
Dr. Craig Harper, Professor and Extension Wildlife Specialist, University of Tennessee
Ben Westfall, Wildlife Biologist, NDA’s Senior Conservation Coordinator

Note: Not all instructors will be at each course and others may be added.

Program Costs

Property Design and Hunting Setups Module:
$800 Non-NDA and Basic Members (includes an NDA membership)
$750 Premium NDA Members
$700 NDA Life Members and Corporate Sponsors, Partners, and Supporters.

Early Bird discount ($100 off per level) will be applied if paying on/before March 1, 2025.

NOTE: Special group savings are available for NDA Branch officers/directors (up to 25% off). Contact Ben Westfall for more info.

What’s Included: instruction, course guide, certificate of completion, some meals/snacks, and NDA membership for non-member price.

CFE Credit: N/A

What’s Not Included: some meals, travel, and lodging (lodging option will be reserved, information provided after registration).

Registration

Once all openings for the courses are filled, applicants will be placed on a waiting list for the next available course in the order their applications were received.

Scholarship Opportunity

For each in-person Module, the NDA will also award a high school junior or senior, or college student interested in a career in wildlife management a scholarship to attend free of charge. Applicants for the scholarships should have a strong interest in wildlife conservation and the Quality Deer Management (QDM) philosophy. Applications are due by March 1, 2025.

Download the In-Person Module Scholarship Application

Cancellation Policy

Applicants of Deer Steward Modules shall be entitled to a full refund of course fees if NDA customer service is notified within fourteen (14) business days of the course date. Cancellations made less than fourteen (14) business days from the course date shall entitle the applicant to a fifty percent (50%) refund of course fees. No refunds shall be made for cancellations less than two (2) business days before the course date.

If you have questions regarding course availability or registration, please contact NDA customer service at 800-209-3337.

If you have any questions regarding course content please contact:

Ben Westfall

Conservation Coordinator

Ben Westfall is NDA’s Conservation Coordinator and previously held positions as Deer Outreach Specialist and QDM Cooperative…

Join Your Fellow Hunters!

There are many ways for you to get involved with the NDA to extend your deer-hunting knowledge, lead new hunters, connect with the nearest Branch at an upcoming banquet or field day, or help form a new Branch if one does not exist near you.

Become a Volunteer

Start a Local Branch

In-Person Modules In-person learning of individual topics

2025 In-Person Modules

Program Overview

Available Modules

Program Instructors

Program Costs

Registration

Program Instructors

Program Costs

Registration

Scholarship Opportunity

Cancellation Policy

Ben Westfall

Conservation Coordinator

Join Your Fellow Hunters!

National Deer Association

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