Located in beautiful Missoula, Montana, Wildlife Analytical Labs- DeerAge.com is owned and operated by Heather and Chad Stevens. Heather has an extensive scientific background specializing in animal histology and Chad has over 20 years in the hunting industry as a taxidermist and avid hunter. Together they make the perfect pair to run Wildlife Analytical Labs- DeerAge.com, bringing together backgrounds that ensure we understand your needs as our customer.

About Heather Stevens- Owner and Director of Operations- DeerAge and Nationwide Histology inc

My name is Heather Stevens and I have spent my entire career dedicated to scientific pursuit. I attended Washington State University and graduated in 2009 with a bachelors degree in microbiology. After school I began working for the State veterinary diagnostic laboratory, where I trained to become a skilled histologist and trained new techs in the field, and also acquired my international histology certification. In 2011 I left the State lab to open Nationwide Histology inc with the goal of providing the highest quality service for research clients across the Nation.

After partnering with Wildlife Analytical Laboratories, it quickly became my favorite line of business. It was (and still is) all I could talk about. When owners Henry & Mary approached me with the idea of taking over so they could retire, it was an easy decision. I love this company! I love what we do! I has been a joy from minute one. I enjoy learning more and more about wildlife stewardship and I look forward to continuing to provide quality age results and top notch customer service. I work hard daily to ensure we are the best in the industry. I take pride in improving every aspect of our service and have a multitude of research projects planned to bring further value to our customers.

About Chad Stevens- V.P of Operations- DeerAge

My name is Chad and I became interested in hunting at the age of 10, and at 16 I attended the John Rinehart school of taxidermy in my home state of Wisconsin. Shortly after graduating, my dad and I moved to Montana where I opened my taxidermy studio, and have been operating for over 20 years, most recently specializing in exotics and unique projects exclusively.

While my role at DeerAge.com has grown, I have stepped back from taking in as much taxidermy to become V.P of Operations here at DeerAge so I can more effectively take care of customer service, our social media accounts, vendor relations, and spearhead our merchandise/product development.

I’ve always had a strong drive towards hunting and conservation and my dad taught me that time spent in the field wasn’t just about the kill, but also about what can be learned from being in nature. What I like about my role at Wildlife Analytical Labs- DeerAge.com and cementum annuli aging is that it helps me and our customers learn more about the game we pursue and provides me the opportunity to overcome challenges and achieve goals that helps wildlife managers and hunters make the most accurate judgements based on age to for all game to thrive. My role at DeerAge is exciting because I get to share in the experience of our customers and be a part of their hunt through cementum annuli aging.

The History Of DeerAge

DeerAge.com was founded in mid 2004 by Henry and Mary Chidgey with a simple and focused vision; To provide accurate and timely forensic cementum annuli aging of whitetail deer and other game mammals with a high degree of customer service. They believed that there are many people who are passionate about hunting and managing habitat to realize the maximum potential of their deer herd.

In 2014 Wildlife Analytical Laboratories- DeerAge.com, partnered with Heather Stevens, owner of Nationwide Histology inc to handle the increasing volume and to ensure the highest quality microscope slides for the customers of Wildlife Analytical Labs. With a team of skilled and highly qualified histologists, Nationwide Histology produced top quality slides at a much faster rate which allowed the quick turn around we so proudly offer. At the end of 2017 Henry & Mary Chidgey decided to retire and offered Heather the opportunity to buy Wildlife Analytical Laboratories and continue the dedication to their customers, wildlife managers and further the culture of sustainable wildlife management for generations of hunters and wildlife enthusiasts.

A message from Henry and Mary on retirement

My name is Henry Chidgey, a proud American and son of the State of Texas. I have spent much of my life in the pursuit of knowledge and techniques to manage habitat for wildlife, especially the whitetail deer. Our company, Wildlife Analytical Laboratories™ was created out of the belief that with accurate, precise, timely feedback of age to hunters and others interested in managing whitetails for maximum trophy potential—whether buck or doe—the fulfillment of many hunters’ dreams today and in the future will be realized. My wife and life partner Mary and I thank you for giving us the opportunity to serve you andyour commitments as wildlife stewards over the last 15 years. It is time now for us to pass the torch to the next generation who we believe will do an even better job at serving you. Heather and her team will be taking over the business at the start of 2018. Heather has become, in addition to a valued part of our service delivery over the last 4 ½ years, a dear friend and trusted colleague. We are confident you will come to trust and value her as we have. Of course, Mary & I will continue to support Heather in any way she desires.

By the way, we will insure that any specimens or correspondence that comes to us here in
Burnet will be immediately forwarded to DeerAge.com in Missoula.

Warmly,

Henry Chidgey

A son of Texas and a patriot of the United States