Quality Deer Management Association has merged with the National Deer Alliance and now the two whitetail deer organizations will be known as the National Deer Association (NDA).

Their new name has been finalized as well as their mission, leadership team and strategic vision for promoting wise management of the most iconic and ever so popular, the whitetail deer of North America.

Nick Pinizzotto, who was the president and CEO of the National Deer Alliance, is now the CEO of the new National Deer Association. The press release stated that this new leadership team has reshaped the two organizations to meet the new challenges and be better positioned for the future.

Pinizzotto went on to say, “I'm very proud of where we are as an organization today. The merger decision and announcement was a key first step. However, the way the team has come together and made the necessary internal and external adjustments is extraordinary. We made a lot of tough decisions that better position us to achieve our conservation mission.”

With many years of operation under QDMA and the National Deer Alliance, the new DNA will have 38 years of action that has shaped deer conservation and changed the way deer are managed. Each contributor to the new association brings members, volunteers, corporate sponsors, state and federal agency partners and many more resources to lead the charge.

New challenges call for adaptation, engagement with new demographics and a fresh approach to protect deer, hunters and the hunting industry. The new NDA intends to focus on critical areas facing deer species and the hunting community.

The NDA will address deer diseases, most notably chronic wasting disease that presents serious threats to the future of all deer species and deer hunting traditions. The NDA will build a coalition of hunters, wildlife agencies and scientific experts to answer these threats.

Pinizzotto concluded, “We are poised to accomplish the hard work that will make a difference. We have a staff with a proven track record that combines new resources and vision. We have also enjoyed great support from members, volunteers, key sponsors and partners, as well as state and national agencies and non-government organizations. We are excited to announce our new name, give people a look at our organization, and get to work.”

Jack Danchak is the President of the Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs of Sullivan County.