I am assuming that you want to enter the shooter or breeding market. First, visit farms in your area. It will not take long to determine who is repitable. Research through deer auction web sites and PICK DEER FARMER'S BRAINS. You will find that everyone has relatively the same goal with a different opinion. This is an account of one farmer's opinion. Take it for what it's worth. Concerning fencing: Unless you have experience in fence building, then contract the fencing out. This goes back to picking deer farmer's brains. Some of these animals are expensive. They become more expensive as you progress in the industry. For me starting off, I did not trust my fence building skills enough to put $20,000 worth of deer in a fence that I built. You will find that this industry produces anxiety even in calm people; i.e. peace of mind is everything. I started off building a larger fence, 330'x165'. 15 deer will fit comfortably in that size. That is a little large compared to most breeder pens. My logic in doing so was to concentrate on spending my money on deer rather that building another fence in two years. Predator controll goes hand and hand with fencing. Predator wire and a couple of strands of hot wire is a must. Again, peace of mind. Fencing is not cheap if you contract it out. However, if you have experience building fence, that will save you a good amount of money. Now that you have a fence, you have to buy animals. Every deer farmer wants to sell you their animals. Otherwise, why would they be in business? You have to decide what is right for you. If you are entering the shooter or breeding market, then you want to buy the very best that your budget will allow. Also consider that deer are herd animals and are social in nature. Having said that, I would buy two. They will calm each other. Buy calm deer. They don't necessarily have to be bottle fed to be calm. This goes back to visiting deer farms in your area. Don't buy something that is not DNA profiled. For repitable breeders, this is not a problem. You will find that the deer with good pedigrees will sell themselves. Starting off, build your herd by buying does. Does make bucks and trust me, they will come. Now comes the hard part, pricing. I can only speak for myself here in Alabama as interstate commerce of live whitetail deer is prohibited. A good foundation deer, that is not out of A.I., that is bred to a $2,000 to $2,500 straw of semen runs about $10,000. It's a package deal that breeders market. Be cautious that you are not geting a yearling doe as they typically have only one fawn. Ask for a doe that is a couple of years old. Your odds of having twins or triplets increases greatly and the breeder will have a good idea of what kind of mother she is. It has been my experience that yearling does are hit and miss on maternity instincts. You do not want to bottle feed starting off if you do not have the facility. If you choose to start out with open does, you will save money starting off but you will have to have a game plan in place for breeding season. This goes back to visiting farms. Set up a plan with your breeder. Most breeders will pick up your deer breed them at their place. Another option is renting a breeder buck. This will save you money but A.I. will yield you more profits. (I can only speak for Alabama. I'm not sure if A.I. is legal in Kansas.) By buying the best that your budget will allow, you are saving time. If you bought a $1000 animal and your goal is to sell $40,000 does eventually then it will take you alot longer to get there. Understand that a $1,000 animal eats the same amount of feed as a $10,000 animal. You will be buying feed and putting the same amount of attention and labor into this venture reguardless of the price of your deer. The most important piece of advice that I can give you is DO IT BECAUSE YOU LOVE IT. Deer farming is hard. You will get discouraged WHEN an animal dies. The money can be good but what is all of it worth if you don't love it? Although, I can't fathom the thought of someone not wanting to raise deer! Good luck.......God Bless.........and I hope that this helps.
