Brian Ruesch of Wisconsin (pictured above) and Erik Schnelle of Michigan recently achieved Deer Steward Level 3 recognition, the most prestigious accreditation in NDA’s Deer Steward program. While Level 1 and 2 are courses that can be completed with a passing grade, Level 3 is achievable only through an individual’s long-term service to the National Deer Association, the wild deer resource and deer conservation. Brian and Erik become the 66th and 67th Level 3 Deer Stewards.
“With their Deer Steward 3 distinction, Brian and Erik join a select group of some of the most dedicated and knowledgeable deer enthusiasts in the country,” said Ben Westfall, NDA’s Conservation Coordinator. “We are thrilled to honor them for their ongoing dedication to wildlife management and conservation.”
Brian Ruesch graduated Deer Steward Level 1 in 2014 and Level 2 in 2018. He is also a member of the Brothers-Hamilton Society, NDA’s highest recognition of financial donors. Brian was one of the earliest members of the organization. In 1994, Brian founded the Central Wisconsin Branch, the very first in the state of Wisconsin and one of the first in the nation to hold a banquet with its proceeds directly going to national deer and deer hunting related issues and has served as the Branch president ever since.
Erik Schnelle graduated Deer Steward Level 1 in 2012 and Level 2 in 2016. He’s a Life Member of NDA, President of the Michigan State Advisory Council of NDA since 2015, and an officer in the West Central Michigan Branch of NDA since 2013. In 2020, he earned NDA’s Volunteer of the Year Award. He’s active in the Michigan Legislative Sportsman’s Caucus, he’s served as a mentor to new hunters, and he’s hosted educational events at his hunting land.
To start your Deer Steward journey, sign up for the Level 1 course now.
Below is the complete list of NDA members who have achieved Deer Steward Level 3 by year completed.
Level 3 Deer Stewards
2023 | Brian Ruesch, Wisconsin Erik Schnelle, Michigan |
2022 | Robert Krebs, Missouri |
2021 | Jerry Tibbott, Pennsylvania Rick Dahl, Missouri |
2020 | Gregory Burnette, West Virginia James Lanier, Wisconsin Ron Concoby, Florida Steve Homyack, Maryland |
2018 | Ben Williams, New York Bill Mitchell, Louisiana Jake Ehlinger, Michigan Kasey Thren, Michigan Mike Flohr, Michigan |
2017 | Michael A. Johnson, North Carolina Dana Rogers, South Dakota Scott Bauman, Missouri Russel Reinagel, Missouri Duane Schwent, Missouri Bob DuCharme, Michigan |
2016 | Michael Goyne, Michigan Nathan Hudson, Delaware David Matthews, Vermont Morgan “Chip” Vosburg, Louisiana |
2015 | Tim Donges, Kansas Randall Gilbert, Illinois Gary Liebsch, Iowa Mark Lovell, Georgia Sean McKay, Louisiana H.R. Carver, North Carolina |
2014 | Jerry Brown, Alabama John Drummond, Florida Jamie Floyd, New Brunswick Philip Hester, Alabama Johnny Moman, Alabama Chip West, Delaware |
2013 | Darren Boudreaux, Louisiana Jon Felton, Pennsylvania John Gibbs, Missouri |
2012 | Jody Garrett, New York Bryant Kroutch, Kansas Allen Morris, Missouri Jim Thompson, Tennessee Alan Bruno, Ontario |
2011 | Dennis Grimm, Pennsylvania David Bastow, Pennsylvania Glen Daves, South Carolina Edward Gaw, Florida Steven Summerer, New Jersey |
2010 | Randall Bowden, Georgia Charles Fiscella, Kentucky Kevin Haight, New York Erich Long, Ohio Dennis Solon, Ohio Charles W. Williams Sr., Georgia |
2009 | Alan Brock, South Carolina Arthur Dick, North Carolina Judge Holdford, North Carolina Gene Horner, Mississippi Mike Kellar, Georgia John Knevel, Michigan Stu Lewis, South Carolina Chip Sorber, Pennsylvania John Sorber, Pennsylvania Vincent Vena, Pennsylvania Rick Webster, Mississippi Lanny Woolfolk, Virginia |