QDMA Names 2019 Deer Managers of the Year,
Professional and Non-Professional
ATHENS, GA (March 31, 2020) – The Quality Deer Management Association (QDMA) announced the winners of its 2019 Al Brothers Professional and Non-Professional Deer Manager of the Year awards recently at QDMA’s 2020 Whitetail Weekend event. The Haslam family of Georgia earned the non-professional award while Adam Keith and Matt Dye of Missouri took home the professional award.
Deer Managers of the Year, Non-Professional
The Haslam family of Georgia, winner of the 2019 QDMA Deer Manager of the Year Award, has been intensively managing their 1,900-acre family farm under Quality Deer Management guidelines over the last 14 years. They have also used it to provide numerous hunting opportunities not only to family members, but to many first-time hunters as well.
“Since 2006, 17 new hunters have taken their first deer on the Haslam farm,” said Joe Hamilton, QDMA’s founder and senior advisor who presented the award. “Over 500 pounds of venison are donated annually to friends, family and those in need, and all hides from harvested deer are tanned and given as gifts or donations.”
The Haslam farm is a Level 1 QDMA Pledged Land with an 800-acre portion enrolled in a conservation easement. It is regularly used by conservation organizations for hosting events, like the 2019 Coastal Empire QDMA Branch Mentorship Hunt.
Pictured above (L-R) are Mark Haslam, Joe Hamilton, and Harry Haslam)
Deer Managers of the Year, Professional
Adam Keith and Matt Dye of Missouri, winners of the 2019 Professional Deer Managers of the Year Award, are the owners of Land & Legacy — a private consulting business, as well as a popular podcast and webshow.
Adam and Matt have used their knowledge and platform to promote QDMA in a variety of ways, from speaking at National Conventions to helping host a Deer Steward 2 class, and regularly involving QDMA staff on their podcast. They are also actively involved in their local QDMA Branch.
“Adam and Matt are deserving of this award specifically for their affinity for and talent in managing land and wildlife through their private consulting business, Land & Legacy,” said Hamilton. “In less than five years they have developed management plans for tens of thousands of acres in over 20 states. Each individually deserves the distinction as the Al Brothers Professional Deer Manager of the Year.”
Pictured above (L-R) are Matt Dye, Joe Hamilton, and Adam Keith.
QDMA’s Deer Manager of the Year awards are named in honor of Al Brothers of Texas, wildlife biologist and author of the 1975 book Producing Quality Whitetails, who is considered the father of Quality Deer Management. He was also influential in the founding of the QDMA in 1988.
“Al Brothers believes that to be recognized for exceptional dedication to managing white-tailed deer, an individual must wear multiple hats simultaneously,” said Hamilton. “The persons receiving these awards are expected to promote and support QDMA, educate fellow hunters/managers, promote ethical hunting, and foster new hunters while tending to the needs of the deer populations under their management. Al is humbled that these awards bear his name, and he is proud to be associated with the quality of those selected for these prestigious recognitions.”
About QDMA
QDMA is dedicated to ensuring the future of white-tailed deer, wildlife habitat and our hunting heritage. Founded in 1988, QDMA is a national nonprofit wildlife conservation organization with 50,000 members in all 50 states and Canada. To learn more about QDMA and why it is the future of deer hunting, call 800-209-3337 or visit www.QDMA.com. QDMA can also be found on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TheQDMA, Twitter at www.twitter.com/TheQDMA, and Instagram at www.instagram.com/TheQDMA.