Do most preserves raise enough of their own deer to satisfy demand each year? I'm a farmer in Missouri considering raising whitetails. I love seeing big bucks, just don't want to end up looking at a pen full of them that no one will buy!
Joined Apr 2014
1,245 Posts | 0+
Greensburg, IN
Most do not.
It is a lot easier to go find farmers who can be talked into selling their stocker bucks on the cheap. It is very difficult to raise big nontypical bucks to hard antler. Again it is easier just to buy the ones that make it to hard antler from farmers. I don't want anything to do with buying bucks from a struggling deer farmer. Nontypicals also are not my cup of tea. I am also not comfortable with the exposure risk created by the current federal CWD standards document. The program is a good thing but the secondary document is a trap. IMO
It is a lot easier to go find farmers who can be talked into selling their stocker bucks on the cheap. It is very difficult to raise big nontypical bucks to hard antler. Again it is easier just to buy the ones that make it to hard antler from farmers. I don't want anything to do with buying bucks from a struggling deer farmer. Nontypicals also are not my cup of tea. I am also not comfortable with the exposure risk created by the current federal CWD standards document. The program is a good thing but the secondary document is a trap. IMO
Joined Apr 2009
2,617 Posts | 0+
Edgar, WI
12point1053641445049180
Do most preserves raise enough of their own deer to satisfy demand each year? I'm a farmer in Missouri considering raising whitetails. I love seeing big bucks, just don't want to end up looking at a pen full of them that no one will buy!
My opinion is don't start. It is addicting and even though you know your wasting money you stay in it. Find something else to raise. Seriously, it is not a good idea.
Do most preserves raise enough of their own deer to satisfy demand each year? I'm a farmer in Missouri considering raising whitetails. I love seeing big bucks, just don't want to end up looking at a pen full of them that no one will buy!
My opinion is don't start. It is addicting and even though you know your wasting money you stay in it. Find something else to raise. Seriously, it is not a good idea.
Joined Feb 2013
780 Posts | 1+
Markleville IN
Rodger, lol
Is a rough/tough business. We just got to where we wanted to be and get wiped out by ehd. It is not for the faint hearted. You have to be committed. I bawled my eyes out day after day losing my baby girls I have bottle fed the last 4 years. BUT, I am thankful, I should have some of my best does to breed next year that made it through it. I can't imagine not having them in my life, our management strategies have to change because ehd has reared it's ugly head in the Midwest all to often the last few years.
Is a rough/tough business. We just got to where we wanted to be and get wiped out by ehd. It is not for the faint hearted. You have to be committed. I bawled my eyes out day after day losing my baby girls I have bottle fed the last 4 years. BUT, I am thankful, I should have some of my best does to breed next year that made it through it. I can't imagine not having them in my life, our management strategies have to change because ehd has reared it's ugly head in the Midwest all to often the last few years.
Joined Apr 2009
1,485 Posts | 0+
Vaughn, MT 59487
The whitetail business is not for the faint of heart that is for sure. It's bad enough the whitetail seem to want to harm themselves when dogs or strange people come around but then there is the EHD virus which we can do little about that causes many losses. The days of making money hand over fist are gone for most of the deer producers. You have to love these animals and get lots of personal joy to continue raising them as I'm sure many people in this business are just happy to get close to breaking even.
Then there is the current problem with antis and health people that want more ridiculous rules placed on this industry which really are there to close this industry down or reduce it. Rules that require excess handling of these great animals which puts them at risk every time we work them for these stupid rules. As Bell said the CWD rules are a trap set to close down as many in the industry and in some cases with no compensation. Unless you love to look at whitetail and get great personal pleasure out of owning this magnificent animal one would be foolish to invest money he was not willing to lose.
Then there is the current problem with antis and health people that want more ridiculous rules placed on this industry which really are there to close this industry down or reduce it. Rules that require excess handling of these great animals which puts them at risk every time we work them for these stupid rules. As Bell said the CWD rules are a trap set to close down as many in the industry and in some cases with no compensation. Unless you love to look at whitetail and get great personal pleasure out of owning this magnificent animal one would be foolish to invest money he was not willing to lose.
Joined Apr 2009
1,428 Posts | 0+
Northeast Wisconsin
We are in northern Wisconsin and don't have to deal with EHD, a big plus!! You can make a go of it but it takes a lot of years before you start to see a return. Most preserves are buying two and three year old deer. If you establish a relationship with a preserve it can work for you.
Joined May 2009
2,369 Posts | 0+
Chillicothe, Missouri
I'll second Rogers statement......"Do Not START"!!............................The Deer Business isn't for the "Faint of Heart" is GROSS Understatement!!!
Thank you all for taking time to reply. Have been around livestock all my life, and know the joys and hardships that come and go with each year of new offspring. EHD is a scary subject. I have seen its toll on the wild herd even this year being far from a drought. The MDC being invasive as they are is also worrisome to me... but almost makes me want to get in the industry even more, foolish as it may be. Being a hunter, my plan is to try raising deer that look like something I would love to harvest myself. Probably more questions to come... Thanks again, Brett
Joined Apr 2009
1,485 Posts | 0+
Vaughn, MT 59487
Well guys looks like Brett is hooked so welcome to the group of whitetail breeders. Quite frankly you wouldn't have stopped me either as I think they are the best animals around. Well that is next to my mule deer, elk, rocky goats, bighorn sheep and their crosses. LOL
Jack if I ever get out to your state to hunt, I would love to stop by and check out your farm it sounds pretty dang cool.
Similar threads
For Sale
Yearling bucks