The TDA is the only non-profit organization solely committed to improving the quality of Texas deer herds through improved habitat practices, modern harvest strategies and use of superior deer to enhance the deer herds. As a part of its public education efforts, the TDA publishes a full-color bimonthly magazine, Tracks, which updates TDA members on current legislative news, deer genetics and game management issues. The TDA also hosts an annual convention and trade show every August featuring fund-raising auctions, a deer auction, golf tournament and other events.

In case you couldn’t tell, the above paragraph is the TDA’s standard “introduction”. It is accurate and fitting for this report.

The style of this article is an attempt to cater to those who couldn't make the show. We are trying to take photos of people in conversation at their booths, and add commentary to the photos to allow the reader to find out more about the vendor if they so choose.

The TDA show has a different feel from TWA, TTHA and other events we attempt to “report” on from this website. When you go to TDA, from the first moment you interact with the registration staff, there is a sense of “seriousness” or “purpose” to the weekend. I am not saying it is good or bad, but simply, there is an intensity about this event that is unique.

I am not sure why, but I have an opinion. These are serious people, talking serious dollars, buying and selling magnificent whitetail bucks and semen straws. People are spending big money to do what they do, what they love, or what they think will be a good investment. They are not there to drink a cold beer. This is not a social endeavor. This is a time to talk about the deer you want and the deer you have.

TDA has created a marketplace. A marketplace dedicated to whitetail deer. If you are in the business and not a member, what are you thinking? If you are in the business and didn’t attend, it was your loss. In fact, you can’t imagine the disservice you did yourself.

If you are NOT in the deer breeding business, the number one reason you should attend is to walk the booths and look at the most impressive deer mounts you will ever see in your life. 99.99 percent of us will never, never, never have such mounts on our wall. Literally, I didn’t know God made deer with such big antlers.

My first year to attend this show I was so stunned I had nothing to say but share photos. I was dumbfounded by the monstrosity of these whitetails. This year, I knew what to expect and took the time to listen to the conversations around me. More than impressive booths, you are also in the presence of many of the top thought leaders in whitetail deer management. Just listening to other people’s conversation had me spell bound for hours.

One particular nuance I noticed this year among the deer breeders was that there are some who are trying to produce the largest possible whitetail bucks that can survive in the Texas climate and do so by introducing northern whitetail genetics to our local deer population; and there are those who are trying to produce the largest possible “Texas” whitetail bucks by focusing on nutrition, management and breeding, but specifically DO NOT introduce non-native genetics. I am not sure if this argument makes sense from a biologist’s perspective, or if this is a creative marketing strategy, or if you can even tell the difference, but this did seem to be a discussion topic at several booths.

As usual, the TDA staff is well organized, friendly, and works very hard the entire show to put on a great show. Special "Thanks" should also be given to John Meng, President of Meng & Associates. He and his team worked very hard as auxillary support to Karl Kinsel, paying close attention to the many small details. And of course, the Westin La Cantera Resort in San Antonio, is a hard place to not to enjoy visiting.

CLICK HERE to listen to Karl Kinsel, Executive Director of Texas Deer Association, talks with TexasHuntFish.com about the goals and purpose of the organziation.

To learn more about the Texas Deer Association or for membership information, visit www.texasdeerassociation.com or call 210.767.8300.

Hunt Hard. Fish Smart. Explore Texas.

PS: The following Deer Breeders photographs were not able to be used for quality reasons. If you have a photo of any of these booths, you are welcome to email it us and we will upload it to this report. The missing photos are of J5 Ranch, Backwoods Deer Ranch, Diamond D Ranch, Rocky Water Whitetails, SIS Ranch, Woodward Whitetails, Johnson Trophy Whitetails, Southeast Texas Deer Ranch, Texas Select Whitetails.

Finally, we would like to recognize a handful of companies and individuals who attended the TDA Event, may or may not have had a booth, but added to the richness of the weekend in their own ways. They are: Karen Pianka, Wildlife Division, Deer Breeder Program, Program Specialist, Texas Parks & Wildlife; Anthony Simpson, Stewart Ranch Sales; www.DeerReproTech.com; Ray Favero, Ph.D., Whitetail Genetics; Bill Lowry, Lyssy & Eckel; Ronnie Eckel, Lyssy & Eckel, www.lefeeds.com; Dave Heltzel, Don Montgomery, and Art Browning with TexasWhitetailDirectory.com

Images and Files: View all 53 photos / videos here.