National Deer Association gives retired Ohio deer program leader its highest honor

Bogart, Georgia — The National Deer Association (NDA) presented its 2025 Professional Deer Manager of the Year Award to Dr. Mike Tonkovich, the recently retired deer program administrator for the Ohio DNR (ODNR) Division of Wildlife.

This national award recognizes Tonkovich’s 31 years of exceptional service, dedication to scientific expertise, and profound impact on the stewardship of Ohio’s robust white-tailed deer population.

Tonkovich, who retired at the end of May 2025 and was affectionally called “Tonk” by many, began his influential role as the state’s leading deer biologist in August 1995. Throughout his distinguished career, he expertly navigated the complex intersection of wildlife biology, public interest, and agricultural concerns to maintain a balanced and healthy deer herd across Ohio’s diverse landscapes.

His work was instrumental in sustaining abundant recreational opportunities for Ohio’s nearly 300,000 estimated deer hunters while effectively mitigating conflicts with landowners and motorists.

“Deer management takes a community of dedicated, hard-working folks,” said Tonkovich. “Without much effort, I can think of plenty of my peers far more deserving of this award. For that reason, I am grateful for the nod and to the community who made my career so rewarding and this award a reality. Thank you also to the National Deer Association. Of course, thank you to all the sportsmen and women of Ohio for the opportunity to work for you.”

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During his tenure, Tonkovich served as the definitive public voice on all matters concerning Ohio deer, from sustainable hunting season structures to the critical challenges posed by diseases such as epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD) and chronic wasting disease (CWD).

He consistently championed data-driven decisions and emphasized robust public input, as well as implementing comprehensive hunter and farmer surveys to inform adaptive management strategies. He was particularly focused on addressing the critical issues of deer overpopulation, promoting adequate antlerless harvest to manage herd dynamics, and implementing proactive strategies to monitor and manage the threat of CWD.

“Mike’s dedication to sound science and the sustained health of Ohio’s deer herd is unparalleled,” said Matt Ross, NDA’s senior director of conservation. “His exemplary ability to communicate complex biological data to hunters, landowners, and the general public has fostered a greater understanding and appreciation for responsible wildlife stewardship. He has truly left an indelible mark on deer conservation efforts both in Ohio and serving as a model for the nation.”

“Throughout my career, I surrounded myself with thoughtful, bright, hard-working, selfless individuals, and we chose to tackle the gnarliest issues we could find,” said Tonkovich. “I’m not sure how much we got done over the last three decades, but nothing came undone, and that I feel is an accomplishment in and of itself.”

Tonkovich earned his Ph.D. in fisheries and wildlife sciences from Virginia Tech University in 1995, following master’s and bachelor’s degrees from Virginia Tech and Ohio State University, respectively. He was a key figure in numerous research projects and the development of educational materials, contributing significantly to the body of knowledge surrounding white-tailed deer dynamics.