Deer Farming For a Living

The more research I do, the more it appears to me that your average deer farmer is not going to be able to make a living off of solely deer farming.  I was wondering, how much money do you need to invest into this industry to be able to compete with the big breeders, and make a good living?

it takes about 25,000 and lots of time and effort that's basic small startup you can go as high as 1 million some guys and girls have T&S

Boy is that a can of worms to open! Lol. I think those days are over. Maybe if ya moved to Texas you would fare well but the market changes so much in the breeding arena that a guy would need real deep pockets to stay on the cutting edge but then again you already have a bunch if guys chasing that cutting edge so you would just join a list. Bottom line is the shooter market for everyone and untill that gets some kind of balance I believe people will not be spending as much as years before on the breeder market. So many good deer out there that just about everyone has the line they like and is working for them so they will not chase the next so called top industry buck. Raise stockers, make a few bucks and enjoy the animal but to make a living? I believe unless you have low life needs as far as a living, it will be tough and high $$$$

 you can invest as much or as little as you want/have.i had a guy tell me NOT to invest any money i could not afford to lose when i bought my first deer.  STILL GOOD ADVICE, ehd can be a real *****. feed is expensive, bottle feeding is time consuming, semen an ai expenses add up also. along with fence, predator wire, shade cloth, working facilities. the list goes on an on. but when fawning season rolls around,, its just like christmas. the more advice you get upfront the better off you will be. like any business, 99% of the people involved are golden, the other 1% spoil the barrel. tom l

I can think of at least 3 people who have spent well over a million each and none of them make enough from deer to have it be there living. Just being honest.

you need another job income this is for the love of the animals mostly T&S not profit so much I keep telling my wife that LOL

You would have had to start up at least 8-10 years ago if you wanted to have a chance at doing it for a living, and even if you succeeded you would have felt the decline by now and started to get a little nervous. Times have changed, and it is now a labor of love. Just a little better off financially than cattle farming cause deer don't eat as much. The coolest part is bucks have Antlers and are always different and interesting, cattle aren't. That's why I raise deer.

I guess I should never say never, but your really going to have to put ALOT of time and money in to succeed now. My opinion is it's easier to get a job you can rely on a weekly paycheck, and do the deer as a hobby, because with deer there is no guaranteed income. They can die in more ways we can list,

I don't want to scare you off your dream, just wanted to throw my opinion since you ask.

I always dreamed of raising deer. When I finally did it 8 years ago, my dreams came true. Sure I wish I could make more money than I actually do, but I love to walk out and feed my herd. These animals are amazing. Even when I "quit" someday, I will still have a few for pets.

Good luck Iowaboy, whatever direction you go with the deer.

IndependenceRanch983581412623247



I can thinking of at least 3 people who have spent well over a million each and none of them make enough from deer to have it be there living. Just being honest.




Rogers spot on...................The Bad thing is I can think of several more who spent over a Million and are no longer in business!


 


Better keep your Day Job!

It has always been about the terminal market which is the hunter. The guys who have convinced newbies otherwise have their millions.

IowaBoy983461412606208



The more research I do, the more it appears to me that your average deer farmer is not going to be able to make a living off of solely deer farming.  I was wondering, how much money do you need to invest into this industry to be able to compete with the big breeders, and make a good living?




I do not have a dollar figure for you to invest to make a go at it. I will say that your operation will need to breed about 60+ does a year to make the numbers work and have a good revenue stream.

Dad and I have made a profit every year by raising typical genetics. Some years have been tougher. This year will be one because of our EHD losses. The deer are a lot of work and are sometimes stressful but the majority of the time they are a stress reliever. Since we started together 14 years ago there have only been just a couple years that we could have lived off the income if it was split between us. One of the toughest things in the deer business for us has been to recognize the truth and avoid the hype. There are some very convincing individuals out there who are very good at acting like they know about genetics and hauling your deer off etc. They have been around since the early beginning of the industry. Some early on used religion to gain the trust of Amish people in Ohio to weasel their best doe away. Others have come up with some amazing ways to hype and manipulate. Dad and I have simply plodded along with our typical deer and we have enjoyed them. If you are able to avoid the hype and buy quality genetics, not have catastrophic losses from disease or predators, I believe you can still make a good profit in the deer business. Avoiding the weasels may be still be the biggest challenge.

The breeder market is a tough one. If you can own and operate a hunting preserve and raise most of your deer you can do it, but it takes a big investment.

This is a great thread and some of the information above is priceless.  I can only speak to my personal experience on my farm.  For me it seems like a stretch to think I could ever depend on my deer operation for any significant income.  Remember there are many factors that for the most part are outside of your control that can trip you up.  EHD can change a lot of your plans and finances.  I generally breed 30 to 40 does each year.  In 2014 I had 2 hunt bucks to sell after huge EHD death losses in 2012 and 2013.  Feed bills and all other expenses continue in the tough times and it can test your financial staying power.


In Missouri the biggest obstacle and threat to the industry (in my opinion) is the Missouri Department of Conservation and our current political environment.  Overreaching regulation is a huge problem for producers in our state.


I wish you the best.  If you figure it all out, write a book.  I'll buy the first copy.