Matt Tarr - Whitetail Stewards, Inc.
Wildlife Biologist & Licensed Forester

Early outdoor experiences

Matt was raised in Hancock, a small town in New Hampshire's rural Monadnock Region. He was introduced to the outdoors at a young age by his grandfather and uncles who included him in fishing and hunting outings around their home. Matt's experiences trout fishing and squirrel hunting quickly fueled his desire to become a deer hunter.  His first deer hunt came the autumn after his 13th birthday. By the age of 16 he finally gained enough experience to make his first harvest, a 170 lb 6-pointer taken with a muzzleloader.  That deer began his obsession with deer and deer hunting.

Undergraduate experience

Matt's early experiences directed him to complete a Bachelor's degree in Wildlife Management at the University of New Hampshire.  As an undergraduate, Matt lived at the University's captive deer research facility and he was involved with a variety of research projects studying deer energy requirements.  Matt's experience with captive deer provided him with a unique opportunity to observe deer behaviors such as vocalizations, rutting activity, breeding and other social interactions.

Graduate school experience

Matt continued at UNH and completed a Master's degree in Wildlife Ecology. He spent three year's studying the effect of  winter supplemental feeding on wild deer in northern New Hampshire.  Matt captured wild fawns at supplemental feeding sites, radio-collared them and monitored their energy use during winter.  The study showed that while some individual deer may have benefited from supplemental food, the overall effect to the deer herd and their habitat was likely negative.  

Professional experience

Matt began working as a professional wildlife biologist and forester immediately after completing graduate school.  As a private consultant he administered timber sales and wildlife improvement projects, and developed forest management plans.  As a professional natural resources educator, Matt develops training programs designed to improve the skills and understanding of hunters, landowners and natural resources professionals.  He is a member of the Society of American Foresters and the Forest Guild.  He is an active NH Tree Farm Inspector.  Additionally, Matt is the President and a founding member of the First NH Branch of the Quality Deer Management Association.

Hunting experience

Matt has over 16 years of hunting and outdoor experience.  For the past 10 years he has been pursuing white-tailed deer exclusively.  His obsession is with bowhunting, but he also hunts with muzzleloader, handgun, shotgun and rifle. Matt hunts and films hunts throughout the country as a member of the Whitetail Stewards staff.  Most of his hunts are self-guided and are on properties that anyone can get access to hunt.  He logs an average of 300 hours of actual hunting time annually.