So you go do farm visit after farm visit; pay all this money to everyone and mother for legal fees, permits, etc.; spend more money on fencing, post, feeders, etc.; then work, work, work, then some more work to clear land, build pens, etc.; then spend more money to be a "official" deer farmer with the state. After all that is said and done you are get your first deer. That's a very proud moment, well it was for us anyway. You stand back, look and say we are finally Deer Farmers. Everything is going good and all your hard earned money and work has paid off. Then one evening you go to feed the animals that you have passion for just see them all belly up from a dog digging in under your fence. Predator wire you may ask, YES had it. I guess a determined dog will get in. So to sum it up, we are blue collar guys that put a lot into it just to see it all go away. Money for us don't grow on trees. We can't just throw up an electric bottom wire then go grab some more bred does before fawning season start. This will challenge a man's will. That's why I say, Deer farming is obviously a rough road. Not looking for pity. Just a quick vent because I know I'm not the first to feel this way.
Deer farming is obviously a rough road
- Thread starter Southern Edge Whitetails
- Start date
One addition to the post. Also had shade cloth. Thought we did our homework but I guess no one can make a pen 100% dog proof.
Man that stinks.....I hope you know who owns the dog.......or owned the dog! I feel your pain.....it stinks and the feeling is hard to explain until you have experienced it.....I hope it works out for you.......
Joined Oct 2011
359 Posts | 0+
Columbia City, IN
That really sucks! I know that sick feeling in your gut when you might as well have thrown your money in the fire, it's never easy and it's always the best ones you lose.
I know you're not looking for pity, but give me a call and I will GIVE you a bred doe to help you get back going again. This business is about family and fun and enjoying deer.....or at least it should be!
I know you're not looking for pity, but give me a call and I will GIVE you a bred doe to help you get back going again. This business is about family and fun and enjoying deer.....or at least it should be!
Well I can truely say I can feel your pain and frustration.
My wife and I started our farm, bred our deer bought a backup buck and now everythings great we are deer farmers. Untill one day the neighbor thought it was funny to watch her dogs chase our deer into the fence. Well myself not finding Max Factors womb sister smashing off the fence funny called the State dog warden because she wanted to know the current leash laws and I figured he could better explain them to her. Well, luckly we didnt lose any deer that day, but it wasn't long before i got a phone call from another neighbor that our deer were in their yard."someone" had cut our fence and let all of our breeding deer out.We got most of them back but lost two good does.Then, made it through that and felt ok...we're still deer farmers enjoying what we are doing. Then came the next call from a freind who stopped to see me at the farm. Dogs in the pen. Well this time we lost all of our preserve does, my sons Timberjack daughter, and a 7/8 sister to Fear Factors mother. a Max Factor son and a daughter from Sunny Jrs womb sister got out also, but we got them back. That neighbor....well he lost his dogs. Then you think we're still ok.......nope...show up to find dog tracks again. This time we were missing a HerbaMax buck fawn from the Timberjack daughter. Luckily while the State Dog warden was investigating he found the fawn. So yeah deer farming is a rough road but I love doing it and cant imagine not. So hopefully if nothing else happens we will have alot of fawns for sale this summer. Good Luck, we hope all goes well for you.
My wife and I started our farm, bred our deer bought a backup buck and now everythings great we are deer farmers. Untill one day the neighbor thought it was funny to watch her dogs chase our deer into the fence. Well myself not finding Max Factors womb sister smashing off the fence funny called the State dog warden because she wanted to know the current leash laws and I figured he could better explain them to her. Well, luckly we didnt lose any deer that day, but it wasn't long before i got a phone call from another neighbor that our deer were in their yard."someone" had cut our fence and let all of our breeding deer out.We got most of them back but lost two good does.Then, made it through that and felt ok...we're still deer farmers enjoying what we are doing. Then came the next call from a freind who stopped to see me at the farm. Dogs in the pen. Well this time we lost all of our preserve does, my sons Timberjack daughter, and a 7/8 sister to Fear Factors mother. a Max Factor son and a daughter from Sunny Jrs womb sister got out also, but we got them back. That neighbor....well he lost his dogs. Then you think we're still ok.......nope...show up to find dog tracks again. This time we were missing a HerbaMax buck fawn from the Timberjack daughter. Luckily while the State Dog warden was investigating he found the fawn. So yeah deer farming is a rough road but I love doing it and cant imagine not. So hopefully if nothing else happens we will have alot of fawns for sale this summer. Good Luck, we hope all goes well for you.
Joined May 2009
711 Posts | 0+
Fulton, Michigan
You have to decide whether you want to be a deer a farmer of not. That is what I had to ask myself. I lost 1/3 of my herd to dogs and then a month later lost the rest to a tornado! I have been where you are and it SUCKS.
Just remember the passion you had for it when you started, take a deep breath and think back to those days. If this is really was something you wanted to do and something you want to continue to do, you will put this behind you and push forward. That is what I did. I went 6 months without deer and couldn't stand it. If it is in your "blood" you will push forward.
I bet it is in your blood!
Just remember the passion you had for it when you started, take a deep breath and think back to those days. If this is really was something you wanted to do and something you want to continue to do, you will put this behind you and push forward. That is what I did. I went 6 months without deer and couldn't stand it. If it is in your "blood" you will push forward.
I bet it is in your blood!
Well let me tell you this is only the beginning , I hate to sound like a downer but wait till ehd/blue tounge hits it gets worse I started with 12 breed does 2 years later (from the original 12 and ther fawns ) 16 deer are left I had 21 fawns from tgem 12 original does, lol trust me thears a learning curve but I promise it gets better I love to wathch them bucks and them baby grow every year I see u ar from Alabama so I cant give u a doe to help you out but I have multiple straws of semen I would gladly help you out with when you get back on your feet sorry for your hard times but it gets better David Westbrook Cloudy Creek Whitetails
Joined Oct 2011
359 Posts | 0+
Columbia City, IN
I feel your pain i have only been deer farming for 4 years now 2 dog attacks and 9 dead deer later I have dealt with my fair share. with that being said I would like to follow todd hoeffels donation with one of my own breed does , this is my info. terry proctor cell #405-808-8550 email [email protected]
Joined May 2009
1,166 Posts | 0+
Tuscaloosa, Alabama
I lost every deer (35) 3 years ago to 5 dogs. 2 Christian men were all but on my door step to get me started again.
I'm curious to know how many of you that lost deer to dog attacks actually got paid for your losses??? I personal have only had one dog attack and luckily I pulled in the drive just as it started. No loss thankfully. I took the dog almost a mile to its owner and we had a little heart to heart. Then I made sure the rest of my neighbors also knew the value of my deer and informed them they would be responsible if their dogs caused harm. All but one neighbor no longer lets their dogs run loose. The one that still does lives over a mile away and seems not to care. He had 2 begals and now has 1!!
We had a fawn killed by a neighbors dog. Our home owners insurance (Farm Family) covered it minus the $50 deductible. He was ticketed by the DEC so we had to go to court and testify. He ended up having to pay back the insurance company and pay us the deductible. He wasn't happy, but we haven't seen his dogs since.
Sandy Malone
Prime Whitetails
Rush, NY 14543
Sandy Malone
Prime Whitetails
Rush, NY 14543
Im sorry for your loss. I have a breed southern doe to noble you can come get if you want her. If you need anything just call me 706-518-4001 Rodney