We’re not all habitat work all the time here at NDA. We know the importance of enjoying the fruits of your labor and that’s the primary focus of the Coffee and Deer podcast. The show is hosted by NDA President and CEO Nick Pinizzotto and his long-time hunting buddy and friend Mike Groman and focuses on hunting heritage and conservation policy. Nick and Mike are typically joined by expert guests — from NDA staff to outdoor writers to policymakers — to share hunting stories and discuss important conservation issues impacting deer and deer hunting. We hope you’ll join us for a fun and informative discussion over coffee about all things deer.
Episodes
4 days ago
4 days ago
Most hunters might find it hard to believe that only 41% of licensed deer hunters harvest just one deer. Equally surprising is only 17% of hunters kill more than one deer. You can find these statistics and many more in the NDA 2024 Deer Report, which you can download for free.
Not taking enough antlerless deer off the landscape is becoming an increasing problem in many areas of the country, so we invited Kip Adams, NDA’s Chief Conservation Officer, to be a guest on the show to explain the issue. He also talks about the history of balanced herd management and NDA’s role in improving deer herds since its inception as QDMA in 1988.
Also in this episode, our hosts talk a little turkey hunting as another tag has been punched, this time by The Doctor, who shot his best gobbler ever on opening morning in Pennsylvania. It might be a long way until deer seasons get started, but there’s still plenty of fun to be had in the great outdoors!
Finally, Nick, Kip, and The Doctor talk about today’s NDA Giving Day, and why they personally support the work of the National Deer Association. All gifts made to NDA as part of Giving Day will be matched up to $50,000 dollars by NDA corporate sponsor, onX.
Episode Sponsor: onX Maps
Important Links
Support NDA on Giving Day: Donate Here
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Music by Bensound
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About the National Deer Association
The National Deer Association (NDA) is a non-profit deer conservation group that works to ensure the future of wild deer, wildlife habitat and hunting. Thank you for subscribing to our podcast!
Support NDA’s mission by becoming a member today.
NDA has the highest ranking from Charity Navigator, an independent group that monitors non-profits for financial efficiency and effectiveness.
Learn more about deer and deer hunting in our weekly, free e-newsletter.
Follow us on our other channels: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube
Wednesday May 01, 2024
Behind the Scenes of the WildTail Documentary with Joe Clements and Moriah Murphy
Wednesday May 01, 2024
Wednesday May 01, 2024
You’ve heard about WildTail, the first white-tailed deer documentary of its kind. Here’s an opportunity to hear the stories from behind the scenes from Executive Producer Joe Clements and the star of the show, Moriah Murphy. Produced as part of the Southeast Deer Partnership, WildTail offers a candid and sometimes humorous look at how we interact with America’s 30 million white-tailed deer. Featuring interviews with scientists, elected officials, media personalities, and thought leaders, WildTail recounts America’s wildest success story and provides us with a practical blueprint for protecting all of America’s native wildlife.
Episode Sponsor: PH Outdoors
Important Links
Documentary: WildTail – America’s Wildest Conservation Success Story
Follow Nick Pinizzotto on Instagram
Follow Mike Groman on Instagram
Music by Bensound
Subscribe to the Podcast on:
About the National Deer Association
The National Deer Association (NDA) is a non-profit deer conservation group that works to ensure the future of wild deer, wildlife habitat and hunting. Thank you for subscribing to our podcast!
Support NDA’s mission by becoming a member today.
NDA has the highest ranking from Charity Navigator, an independent group that monitors non-profits for financial efficiency and effectiveness.
Learn more about deer and deer hunting in our weekly, free e-newsletter.
Follow us on our other channels: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube
Wednesday Apr 17, 2024
Getting Involved with an NDA Branch with the Grassroots Team
Wednesday Apr 17, 2024
Wednesday Apr 17, 2024
Are you a serious conservationist, deer hunter, or habitat manager and want to get more involved with the National Deer Association? If so, this is a can’t miss episode as Nick and The Doctor are joined by the NDA’s Grassroots Program team, Matt Wilkins, Jason Meekhof, and Megan Postol. The team talks about the importance of volunteers to the organization and describes the process for getting involved. Each Regional Director talks about their respective regions and shares what you need to know to increase your involvement with NDA. We also talk a little turkey in this episode as turkey seasons are now open across most areas of the country.
Episode Sponsor: Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s
Important Links
Contact your Regional Director and Become and NDA Volunteer
Follow Nick Pinizzotto on Instagram
Follow Mike Groman on Instagram
Music by Bensound
Subscribe to the Podcast on:
About the National Deer Association
The National Deer Association (NDA) is a non-profit deer conservation group that works to ensure the future of wild deer, wildlife habitat and hunting. Thank you for subscribing to our podcast!
Support NDA’s mission by becoming a member today.
NDA has the highest ranking from Charity Navigator, an independent group that monitors non-profits for financial efficiency and effectiveness.
Learn more about deer and deer hunting in our weekly, free e-newsletter.
Follow us on our other channels: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube
Wednesday Apr 03, 2024
Wednesday Apr 03, 2024
Admittedly, it’s not a lot of fun to talk about chronic wasting disease (CWD) and its negative impact on deer populations, hunting, and overall wildlife conservation. That doesn’t mean there are no bright spots, however, and our guests on this episode provide some hope in the form of improved testing methodologies to detect the disease.
Our hosts are joined by Dr. Michelle Gibison and Dr. Jennifer Hoy-Petersen from the Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine and the Wildlife Futures Program to talk about the history of CWD testing, the progress made, and the positive signs toward even better techniques. While most questions about CWD only lead to more questions, progress is being made that will have a direct positive impact for deer and hunters.
Episode Sponsor: First Lite
Important Links
Pennsylvania Wildlife Futures Program
Follow Nick Pinizzotto on Instagram
Follow Mike Groman on Instagram
Music by Bensound
Subscribe to the Podcast on:
About the National Deer Association
The National Deer Association (NDA) is a non-profit deer conservation group that works to ensure the future of wild deer, wildlife habitat and hunting. Thank you for subscribing to our podcast!
Support NDA’s mission by becoming a member today.
NDA has the highest ranking from Charity Navigator, an independent group that monitors non-profits for financial efficiency and effectiveness.
Learn more about deer and deer hunting in our weekly, free e-newsletter.
Follow us on our other channels: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube
Wednesday Mar 20, 2024
No-Till Drills and Crimpers for Food Plotting with Paul Hollis of PH Outdoors
Wednesday Mar 20, 2024
Wednesday Mar 20, 2024
There are many effective ways to plant a food plot but two particular approaches, no-till planting and crimping, continue to gain popularity. In this episode, Paul Hollis, owner of PH Outdoors, joined Nick and The Doctor to talk about these techniques and their benefits. Paul also discussed in detail the no-till planters and crimpers his company manufactures, some of which can be pulled with a suitably sized ATV or side-by-side. Understanding the big picture of food plotting and the importance of having and implementing a sound planting plan are also covered.
PH Outdoors is an NDA corporate sponsor and as part of our current United for Deer Sweepstakes we are giving away one of their G3 No-Till Drills that Paul generously donated. You can enter to win here.
Episode Sponsor: PH Outdoors
Important Links
Follow Nick Pinizzotto on Instagram
Follow Mike Groman on Instagram
Music by Bensound
Subscribe to the Podcast on:
About the National Deer Association
The National Deer Association (NDA) is a non-profit deer conservation group that works to ensure the future of wild deer, wildlife habitat and hunting. Thank you for subscribing to our podcast!
Support NDA’s mission by becoming a member today.
NDA has the highest ranking from Charity Navigator, an independent group that monitors non-profits for financial efficiency and effectiveness.
Learn more about deer and deer hunting in our weekly, free e-newsletter.
Follow us on our other channels: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube
Wednesday Mar 06, 2024
Managing Deer and Helping Young People with Former New England Patriot Matt Light
Wednesday Mar 06, 2024
Wednesday Mar 06, 2024
Matt Light played in the NFL for 11 years for the New England Patriots and while there won three Super Bowls, nine division championships, and five conference championships. He played left tackle and protected Tom Brady’s blind side for more than a decade after having done the same for Drew Brees while playing at Purdue in college.
While his success on the gridiron is remarkable, he has always had a deep passion for the outdoors, conservation, and deer hunting largely driven by the long legacy of hunters and outdoor writers in his family. Now retired from football, he has more time to pursue his passion while also making sure to pass it on to others.
In addition to Matt’s personal journey, he shares one of the more incredible turkey hunting tales you’ll ever hear! Let’s just say he was part of the hunt that resulted in the bagging of a 44 pound albino gobbler in Florida. It will have you on the edge of your seat before eventually knocking you to the floor laughing. It is a true story of comedy and tragedy, followed by more comedy.
Finally, the guys talk about Matt and his wife Suzie’s great work with The Light Foundation, which they founded to help young people develop the skills, values, and mindset they need to create a meaningful and productive future.
Episode Sponsor: Bass Pro Shops / Cabela’s
Important Links
Follow Nick Pinizzotto on Instagram
Follow Mike Groman on Instagram
Music by Bensound
Subscribe to the Podcast on:
About the National Deer Association
The National Deer Association (NDA) is a non-profit deer conservation group that works to ensure the future of wild deer, wildlife habitat and hunting. Thank you for subscribing to our podcast!
Support NDA’s mission by becoming a member today.
NDA has the highest ranking from Charity Navigator, an independent group that monitors non-profits for financial efficiency and effectiveness.
Learn more about deer and deer hunting in our weekly, free e-newsletter.
Follow us on our other channels: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube
Wednesday Feb 21, 2024
Fighting the Anti-Hunters with Brian Lynn of Sportsmen's Alliance
Wednesday Feb 21, 2024
Wednesday Feb 21, 2024
The attacks by anti-hunters and animal welfare groups against sportsmen are constant. While groups like the National Deer Association (NDA) and our many conservation partners are working daily to implement conservation measures and policies that benefit fish and wildlife, others are working directly against the effort to put an end to hunting, trapping, and fishing.
If you think deer hunting is immune from these issues, think again! While NDA focuses primarily on policy that impacts deer, wildlife habitat, and hunting, the Sportsmen’s Alliance exists to protect us all from the barrage of attacks.
In this episode, Nick and The Doctor are joined by Brian Lynn, Vice President of Communications and Marketing for Sportsmen’s Alliance, to talk about the latest efforts of animal rights extremists to severely limit or stop hunting altogether. They also discuss the dangers of ballot box biology and why it’s typically not a good idea to have voters decide important issues that impact wildlife conservation.
Episode Sponsor: BOG Hunt
Important Links
Follow Nick Pinizzotto on Instagram
Follow Mike Groman on Instagram
Music by Bensound
Subscribe to the Podcast on:
About the National Deer Association
The National Deer Association (NDA) is a non-profit deer conservation group that works to ensure the future of wild deer, wildlife habitat and hunting. Thank you for subscribing to our podcast!
Support NDA’s mission by becoming a member today.
NDA has the highest ranking from Charity Navigator, an independent group that monitors non-profits for financial efficiency and effectiveness.
Learn more about deer and deer hunting in our weekly, free e-newsletter.
Follow us on our other channels: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube
Wednesday Feb 07, 2024
A Day in the Life of a Wildlife Health Technician with Ian Gereg of Penn Vet
Wednesday Feb 07, 2024
Wednesday Feb 07, 2024
Did you know there are wildlife health professionals scattered across the country working day and night to keep animals and people safe from wildlife-borne diseases? These good people are truly working on the front lines of wildlife management and it’s likely most people have no idea that it’s happening.
That’s why we invited Wildlife Health Technician, Ian Gereg, to join us on this episode to talk about the wide array of things he and his colleagues work on to keep us and wildlife healthy. He works for the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine (PennVet) and is part of the Pennsylvania Wildlife Futures Program.
He explains to Nick and The Doctor how he has no idea what he will encounter on a given day and shares stories of some of the craziest things that have happened to him in the field. He also talks about some of the current research he is involved with. The National Deer Association works in partnership with PennVet and the Pennsylvania Game Commission as part of the Wildlife Futures Program, particularly on chronic wasting disease and other deer management related matters.
Episode Sponsor: Bass Pro Shops & Cabela’s
Important Links
Pennsylvania Wildlife Futures Program
Follow Nick Pinizzotto on Instagram
Follow Mike Groman on Instagram
Music by Bensound
Subscribe to the Podcast on:
About the National Deer Association
The National Deer Association (NDA) is a non-profit deer conservation group that works to ensure the future of wild deer, wildlife habitat and hunting. Thank you for subscribing to our podcast!
Support NDA’s mission by becoming a member today.
NDA has the highest ranking from Charity Navigator, an independent group that monitors non-profits for financial efficiency and effectiveness.
Learn more about deer and deer hunting in our weekly, free e-newsletter.
Follow us on our other channels: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube
Wednesday Jan 24, 2024
Aging Your Deer Under a Microscope with Heather Stevens of DeerAge.com
Wednesday Jan 24, 2024
Wednesday Jan 24, 2024
While assessing tooth replacement and tooth wear can be an effective way to age deer to a certain age, or at least get you close, there’s no more accurate way than having a tooth analyzed under a microscope using the cementum annuli technique.
Our guest in this episode is Heather Stevens, owner of Wildlife Analytical Laboratories and founder of deerage.com. She shares with Nick and The Doctor how her business got started and how she wants to make it easier and more affordable than ever for hunters to have their deer aged accurately.
She also walks through the process of having a deer aged from tooth extraction to results while offering advice on making their job easier by sending in a properly prepared sample.
Episode Sponsor: PH Outdoors
Important Links
Follow Nick Pinizzotto on Instagram
Follow Mike Groman on Instagram
Music by Bensound
Subscribe to the Podcast on:
About the National Deer Association
The National Deer Association (NDA) is a non-profit deer conservation group that works to ensure the future of wild deer, wildlife habitat and hunting. Thank you for subscribing to our podcast!
Support NDA’s mission by becoming a member today.
NDA has the highest ranking from Charity Navigator, an independent group that monitors non-profits for financial efficiency and effectiveness.
Learn more about deer and deer hunting in our weekly, free e-newsletter.
Follow us on our other channels: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube
Wednesday Jan 10, 2024
The Story of Jason Thomas’s Potential Record Breaking Ohio Buck
Wednesday Jan 10, 2024
Wednesday Jan 10, 2024
It wasn’t long after Ohio hunter Jason Thomas walked up on his buck of a lifetime that word started getting out that a potential new Ohio typical record may have fallen. A few weeks later a MeatEater headline read, “Ohio Hunter Kills One of World’s Biggest Whitetails,” and Outdoor Life followed with “Ohio Crossbow Hunter Stalks into Position on a Bedded 200-Class Buck.” More would follow from other sources, but one thing was certain. The whitetail hunting world was now aware of Thomas’s enormous whitetail, and he graciously joined the Coffee and Deer podcast to share his story with us.
It often doesn’t work out when a hunter targets a single buck for a season. It’s hard enough to take any buck, let alone limit yourself to a particular deer that you may not even see during the season. Thomas had a history with the deer and decided he was going to do everything he could to put himself in position for a shot, and his hard work eventually paid off. This isn’t a story about a hunter who simply got lucky by being in the right spot at the right time. Thomas’s actions leading up to and during the season set the stage for an inevitable encounter, and his decision to make a bold move on that fateful day sealed the deal. This is an episode you don’t want to miss.
Episode Sponsor: Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s
Important Links
Follow Nick Pinizzotto on Instagram
Follow Mike Groman on Instagram
Music by Bensound
Subscribe to the Podcast on:
About the National Deer Association
The National Deer Association (NDA) is a non-profit deer conservation group that works to ensure the future of wild deer, wildlife habitat and hunting. Thank you for subscribing to our podcast!
Support NDA’s mission by becoming a member today.
NDA has the highest ranking from Charity Navigator, an independent group that monitors non-profits for financial efficiency and effectiveness.
Learn more about deer and deer hunting in our weekly, free e-newsletter.
Follow us on our other channels: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube