need my first few does. Any ideas where I can get some.
I would surly appreciate your ideas.
thanks Ken
I would surly appreciate your ideas.
thanks Ken
Ken, I know some guys who helped get me started that have some really good genetics deer. If you'd like some more info email me
Joined Apr 2009
2,617 Posts | 0+
Edgar, WI
Easy there dearJohn, or Ken as you signed your post. You want to get started in deer, or you have your permits, fences up, and feeders, and everything in place and now are ready to get some deer?
Assuming you have the permits, the fence up, the feeders, and waterers in place. You must have taken some tours then of other farms in your area correct?
Tours of other farms will/can teach you a TON of information about pen construction, handling facilities, and general information about feeding, medications, and such. During those tours I hope there was some discussion about the markets of the deer industry. How those markets relate to genetics, and possible ways to get or not get a return on your investment.
I hope your tours were to several places. Some large (100 head or more) and some small. I hope they included folks who raise deer just to sell hunt bucks, and those who sell all over the country as breeding stock.
I hope there was a discussion about the good times involved with raising deer, and the heartache involved with it. Discussion about the "watch out for" things like dogs and neighbor issues involved with having deer. Things like people who sell without DNA guarantees for proof of parentage.
How about your deer delivery? You have a trailer of your own with no danger areas like places inside that will cause injury to the animal during loading and transport? Does it keep the inside of the trailer dark or are there windows that will cause problems? Is it well vented?
Have you studied previous sale results or been to any sales around the country yet? Have you attended any state or national org meetings?
I always feel bad for anyone who gets started in deer and doesn't get to ask questions and hear all the various options before they start building their farm and buying deer. It can be so costly to make mistakes and then have to start over.
If you have any questions I would be glad to help if I can.
[email protected]
Good luck!
Assuming you have the permits, the fence up, the feeders, and waterers in place. You must have taken some tours then of other farms in your area correct?
Tours of other farms will/can teach you a TON of information about pen construction, handling facilities, and general information about feeding, medications, and such. During those tours I hope there was some discussion about the markets of the deer industry. How those markets relate to genetics, and possible ways to get or not get a return on your investment.
I hope your tours were to several places. Some large (100 head or more) and some small. I hope they included folks who raise deer just to sell hunt bucks, and those who sell all over the country as breeding stock.
I hope there was a discussion about the good times involved with raising deer, and the heartache involved with it. Discussion about the "watch out for" things like dogs and neighbor issues involved with having deer. Things like people who sell without DNA guarantees for proof of parentage.
How about your deer delivery? You have a trailer of your own with no danger areas like places inside that will cause injury to the animal during loading and transport? Does it keep the inside of the trailer dark or are there windows that will cause problems? Is it well vented?
Have you studied previous sale results or been to any sales around the country yet? Have you attended any state or national org meetings?
I always feel bad for anyone who gets started in deer and doesn't get to ask questions and hear all the various options before they start building their farm and buying deer. It can be so costly to make mistakes and then have to start over.
If you have any questions I would be glad to help if I can.
[email protected]
Good luck!
Joined Apr 2009
1,428 Posts | 0+
Northeast Wisconsin
You sign as being in Michigan. Michigan's borders are closed and you will have to purchase deer from other Michigan deer farmers.
Joined Apr 2009
2,617 Posts | 0+
Edgar, WI
I saw that earlier that Ken is in MI and I wanted to give him the info for the MI state org, but I can't find it. Anyone else have the contact info they can share with Ken?
Again Ken, feel free to contact me with any questions you may have. It don't matter to me what state your in or whether you are able to buy from me or not. I just want to help folks especially those just starting out.
Again Ken, feel free to contact me with any questions you may have. It don't matter to me what state your in or whether you are able to buy from me or not. I just want to help folks especially those just starting out.
Joined Oct 2009
3,165 Posts | 1+
upstate ny
Go see the great folks at grizzly Whitetails!!! They have all the best deer you will ever need and you wont find better people or better info from any state.You can get all the answers you need right there at home!!!!
Joined May 2009
711 Posts | 0+
Fulton, Michigan
Ken,
Give me a call and I can help point you in the right direction. I dont have anything for sale, but I can give you the ins and outs of Michigan deer farming. As stated above, Michigan's borders are closed, so you will have to buy within Michigan. There are some really great people to deal with in MI and some (very few) you want to turn tail and run from. In general, even with the closed borders Michigan is a great place to raise deer. We have a VERY strong stocker market if you have good deer. I know several preserves that are still looking for quantities of stocker bucks.
Todd Morgan
269-207-0624
Give me a call and I can help point you in the right direction. I dont have anything for sale, but I can give you the ins and outs of Michigan deer farming. As stated above, Michigan's borders are closed, so you will have to buy within Michigan. There are some really great people to deal with in MI and some (very few) you want to turn tail and run from. In general, even with the closed borders Michigan is a great place to raise deer. We have a VERY strong stocker market if you have good deer. I know several preserves that are still looking for quantities of stocker bucks.
Todd Morgan
269-207-0624
thank you for the quick replys. I will be making a lot of calls and talkin to everyone I can .
I study a lot on the internet , it is so helpful.I have buildings but I do still need to put up the Fences. and talk to the DNR.
I study a lot on the internet , it is so helpful.I have buildings but I do still need to put up the Fences. and talk to the DNR.
Joined Apr 2009
2,617 Posts | 0+
Edgar, WI
Dan and Tina Spoelman and Kelly and Hillary Powell were the first 2 places I thought about when I first read Ken's post. Super great folks!
Not sure why it is a bad thing to talk with folks from around the country though. I would think learning at this point is the key no matter what state the info comes from. But whatever.
Not sure why it is a bad thing to talk with folks from around the country though. I would think learning at this point is the key no matter what state the info comes from. But whatever.
Joined Oct 2009
3,165 Posts | 1+
upstate ny
We are not reading more into the posts then what they say,I hope! Just thought their first best advice would be better coming from the state they are starting up in!!!
But mabey they could do better talking to you!!!!!!!!!!!!Who knows!!!
But mabey they could do better talking to you!!!!!!!!!!!!Who knows!!!
Joined Apr 2009
2,617 Posts | 0+
Edgar, WI
I very much think they need to talk with several farms in their own state and to their state org as well as the DNR (man I hate the DNR) to get all the legal side of things down pat. But as for pen layouts, meds, market stuff, bottle feeding stuff, and blah blah, it is just good to talk with anyone who is willing to share the info. Then they can sort though all of it and find what fits for them. That's all.
Better to talk to me? I don't know everything this is for sure. But I will toot my own horn and say I am willing to help and give as much information as I can that I know many others wouldn't give unless someone did business with them first. And from the stories I have heard even then support is hard to get sometimes from some folks.
But you are right Mike. The Spoelmans and the Powells are great people and they are for sure the first call Ken should make.
Better to talk to me? I don't know everything this is for sure. But I will toot my own horn and say I am willing to help and give as much information as I can that I know many others wouldn't give unless someone did business with them first. And from the stories I have heard even then support is hard to get sometimes from some folks.
But you are right Mike. The Spoelmans and the Powells are great people and they are for sure the first call Ken should make.
Joined Oct 2009
3,165 Posts | 1+
upstate ny
Roger,You toot yur own horn.....Never!!!! But you are right i spoke with kelly twice today about an infection one of our does got from a cidr.I dont know what part of the world he was in today breeding deer but from the reception and lost calls he was in the boonies somewhere.He was busy doin his thing and he still made it a point to return my call and help me out of a jam.Thats what its all about..I know very little so far but i would be more than willing to tell a new farmer where i screwd up.Wayne thanks for the call back but were playin phone tag and yur it!!!!
Joined May 2009
2,369 Posts | 0+
Chillicothe, Missouri
Mike, Sorry I missed yor call! Went bow hunting this morn. she probably did have an irritation reaction and slight infection from the cidr it happens some times but the meds u gave should help clear her up. Hope your A/I goes well ! Will try u on sat.
Roger and Laurie, thank you I have learnt a lot from all the great post you have posted.
Can't thank you enough.
Ken
Can't thank you enough.
Ken
learning is the key lots change since i started look for what you think you can sell lot say they have good genitcs, i think last 5 yrs gave some advantage do your homework i did learned the hard way. and mo0re homework. i think,see what is selling.some are honest,just take your time! good luck! gonna start over. lots will point you in rioght direction.lot good people but thier genitics no good no more!this is a changing industrythe more you can learn, it will pay off, start no more than you can afford to lose but you can get lucky,just my opinon. they might be good couple yrs, hope this makes sence i know what i want to say, but sometimes dont come out right! dont take wrong.or those with good genitics, DC