After the implementation of the "Town of Elizabeth deer management program in 2014, the need for such management options quickly grew from just towns to private landowners. Many landowners contacted us with growing problems of property damge and concerns with the health of the wildlife. By the end of 2015 we had over 25 land owners surrounding the town of Elizabeth with 5 acres and less enrolled in the program.
None of the meat gets wasted, it all gets donated to community members, in the past there has been deer hides donated that will eventually be made onto winter gloves for disable veterans.
With the growing cost to volunteers, W.H.E.M was developed in 2016 to assist in the cost donating venison to communities.
While getting a large number of requests from the public for wildlife removal, nuisance wildlife and pest control, WHEM grew into wildlife removal along with wildlife management options.
WHEM is operated by a board consisting of 3 members, every volunteer is required to apply and pass a ETQ ( education ,training and qualifying program annually. This ETQ consists of wildlife identification, wildlife anatomy, archery precision test and physical agility.
Over the time frame of 4 years only 4% of those who apply are accepted. Yes the ETQ is very demanding and difficult due to the fact of what and where the program is taking place. During these 4 years there have been no accidents, no injury's, no risk of harm to persons or live stock. And the "wounding loss" ratio is less then half the average for public hunting wound/loss ratio.