Dear NDA Volunteer,

Sweet November, it’s here! The leaves are changing and falling, the days are getting shorter, fires are roaring in fireplaces, and we’re all chasing deer! Hard to imagine a month better than this one. I hope your weekends and off days are full of time in the deer stand and moments with family and friends.

Since it’s the peak of deer season for most of you, I’ll keep this update short. But don’t let the length fool you, October was packed with great events!

We kicked off the month with an incredible Gun Bash in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, hosted by the South Louisiana Branch. It was an awesome night with a fantastic group of people. And as most of you know, I’m a big college football fan, so hosting that event right on LSU’s campus and driving through it lit up at night was a pretty cool experience!

From the Deep South to the Upper Midwest, the Capital Area Branch in Michigan wrapped up October with a raffle that saw outstanding results. And down in Alabama, the Omussee Creek Branch hosted its annual in-person banquet and had a great night of fellowship and conversation. One of the coolest moments that night was watching a youth hunter win a lifetime hunting license for just being at the banquet!

Next up in the Deep South was the Tallahassee Branch Banquet on November 6! It was a great night, and I was glad to see everyone there.

Also happening this month, NDA Calendar sales! Just like last year, each calendar gives you 52 chances to win a gun — one every Friday in 2026 — as wellas a chance at a year-end mystery prize! Calendars are available online for $59 each, but Branches can buy them for $40 each and keep the difference. Even better, for every 10 calendars your Branch sells, you’ll earn a chance to win a Core Package, which will be drawn the first of the year. Contact me or Nathan to get your order in!

I’ll close with one last note: Mark your calendars for our next Tailgate Talk on December 9, 2025. We’ll cover some important updates, and we want to see everyone there. To make it worth your while, we’ll be giving away the 2024 Gun of the Year, a Marlin .30-30, to one Branch leader in attendance that night! Keep an eye out for the eblast soon with the RSVP link.

Thank you all for what you do. I’m incredibly thankful for each and every one of you. If you need anything, don’t hesitate to reach out. Good luck in the stand, have a wonderful Thanksgiving with your family, and I’ll see you on December 9!

United for Deer,

Matt Wilkins
Director of Grassroots Support