By: Matt Ross

Matt Ross of Saratoga Springs, New York, is a certified wildlife biologist and licensed forester and NDA's Director of Conservation. He received his bachelor's in wildlife conservation from the University of Massachusetts-Amherst, and his master's in wildlife management from the University of New Hampshire. Before joining the NDA staff, Matt worked for a natural resource consulting firm in southern New Hampshire, and he was an NDA volunteer and Branch officer. He and his wife Sadie have two daughters, Josephine and Sabrina.

Know Your Deer Plants: Pokeweed

Jul 31, 2013 Matt Ross

Pokeweed easily has over a dozen different common names, from pokeberry to poke salad to just plain poke. But no matter what it is called where you live, pokeweed is an extremely valuable soft mast…

Know Your Deer Plants: American Beech

Jun 25, 2013 Matt Ross

Most white-tailed deer hunters east of the Mississippi recognize the importance of the fall acorn crop and how it directly impacts their hunting opportunities. The majority of QDMA members also understand the effect this cyclic…

Know Your Deer Plants: Swamp Chestnut Oak

Jan 14, 2013 Matt Ross

When considering species to plant or encourage on deer hunting land in the Southeast, swamp chestnut oak should be near the top of your list. A member of the white oak family, swamp chestntut oak…

When Do Bucks Visit Scrapes?

Nov 1, 2012 Matt Ross

Have you ever set up on a fresh scrape, only to sit for hours and not see a thing? Well, wildlife researchers have shown that most scraping activity (nearly 85 percent) occurs at night. So,…

Plant This, Not That

Sep 12, 2012 Matt Ross

Oh man! I could not believe it. In an effort to relax and wind down from a long day, I had just sat down, flipped on the television to my favorite hunting channel and proceeded…

Know Your Deer Plants: Allegheny Chinkapin

May 24, 2012 Matt Ross

If you’re interested in planting something on your property that can quickly provide mast, attract deer and provide groundcover at the same time, it’s time to consider an alternative to the standard oak tree plantings….

Know Your Deer Plants: American Plum

Apr 30, 2012 Matt Ross

One of the most limiting factors I’ve noticed on undermanaged hunting properties is the lack of good escape and security cover. Another item frequently absent is an adequate proportion, variety and quality of soft mast….

Know Your Deer Plants: Partridge Pea

Mar 20, 2012 Matt Ross

A member of the pea family, partridge pea is best known as a producer of valuable cover and food for upland game birds, waterfowl, and various small mammals. However, it also happens to be found…

The Biology of Bachelor Groups

Mar 2, 2012 Matt Ross

If you are monitoring local whitetails during summer through the lenses of your binoculars, or through the lens of a trail-camera, you’ve probably seen what are known as “bachelor groups.” These are groups of bucks…