PIKE COUNTY, IL Every year, the nation stops to listen to powerful words that tackle the toughest topics facing the United States.

But this national address will be different.

The first-ever Whitetail State of The Union is bringing together the brightest minds in the world of white-tailed deer to address the most pressing issues facing deer and deer hunters. Disease, predators, anti-hunting groups and dozens of other issues are looming large over America's most popular game species.

A team of experts - scientists, biologists, journalists, hunting pros and land managers - will debunk myths and arm whitetail hunters with the latest information before hitting the woods this fall.

The two-part, special presentation, produced by Whitetail Properties, airs Sept. 23 and Sept. 30 at 9:30 p.m. EDT on The Sportsman Channel.

Watch the official trailer at Youtube.com/WhitetailPropTV.

The star-studded cast of the Whitetail State of The Union includes the following people and organizations:

• Grant Woods, Ph.D., GrowingDeer.tv

• Karl V. Miller, Ph.D., University of Georgia's Deer Lab

• James Kroll, Ph.D., widely known as "Dr. Deer"

• Will Primos, Primos Hunting

• Bill Winke, Midwest Whitetail

• The Quality Deer Management Association

• North American Whitetail

• Whitetail Properties

"Whitetails contribute hundreds of millions of dollars to our economy annually," said Paul Sawyer, Whitetail Properties co-founder. "We need the most current and relevant information critical to whitetails so we can be effective stewards of deer and deer habitat. We'll get all that and more from the Whitetail State of The Union."

Viewers are encouraged to interact with other whitetail enthusiasts globally on Twitter by using the hashtag #WhitetailSOTU.

To learn more about the Whitetail State of The Union, follow Whitetail Properties on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram or visit WhitetailProperties.com.

Contact: Michael Turbyfill

Michael.Turbyfill@WhitetailProperties.com