Is any one welcome.

So I have been doing lots of research into this deer farming. And what I have found is that you deer farmers do not want anyone else new to come into this business... Is this so.???? I have been in Law enforcement for the last 10 yrs. I want out to go do somthing that I want to do. I have been a hunting guide for 15 yrs. In MT,WY AND SD...... Just tired of answering to some one else and having to deal with everyone else's BS.. Is that asking too much??? All re-plys appriciated....... Let the bullets fly...... Jim....

Welcome in!!! I would tell anybody coming in the same thing do your homework and dont ever spend more than you can afford to lose tomorrow!!! Because it could be gone that quick!!! It is a great thing to do thats for sure!!!

This business, like all others, is struggling right now. I think you will be welcomed to the business but do your homework. The first two questions to answer is which market you want to be in and what State are you in. The good side right now is you can buy animals a lot cheaper than you could 3 years ago. The bad side is you can't get as much for them when you sale. This may well change if we get that ***** out of our White House so we can fix the economy. The best part is that it is fun.

If you don't think politics effect you, just ask a deer farmer!

Thanks Deerchaser for your input. I am a cop. Politics are a dailey nusance to me...

Well it is late in the night. I tryed to reply to a couple pm's not sure if I got through... Some bad whether up here now. Will try again 2morrow... Thanks all...

Welcome lawman! Apart from the money aspect of things in the deer business, which can go either way, raising deer, for me has been an unbelievable adventure!



I grew up and hunted in the best parts of Michigan and Indiana my entire life, and have taken many, many, many deer over the years and still love it! But once you actually raise them you can learn more in 1 year from these critters then I've learned in 25 years combined hunting, reading, studying etc.



I love my deer, and have a blast showing them off to anyone. Just use your head, let your deer pay for themselves, and enjoy it! Good Luck!

I would not recomend anyone quit their paying job to become a fulltime deer farmer. With the market on the fence that might be a risky move. We deer farmers might all get together and pay you to be our deer police!!! That would keep everyone on the up and up!!! lol

You are more than welcome to be involved in this wonderful industry. Definitely do you homework not just with the deer you are wanting. There are many tricks you can learn from installing fence to your handling facility.



I do not know about your region but visit all the farms you can either in person, by phone or email. Ask questions, take notes, take photos then repeat often. This site is wonderful with a lot of information just have to take the time to search if you do not find the answer then ask.



Don't get caught up in the next greatest thing or the have to haves because you will be broke before you even get any deer. It is easy for that to happen. Mike is correct invest what you are willing to loose.



Sorry so wordy but there is so much to discuss.

Lawman7 I don't think that the deer farmers don't want you to start your own farm. I think they are trying to be honest with you and don't want you to get into this industry thinking you will make money right away. But If this is your passion and it is something you know you want to do by all means do it!! things are rough right now but this being said it is a good time to start a deer farm as the prices of good quality animals is way down.....I wish you the best and hope it works out for you!!

It is like any other business as a farmer raising shooters in a already flooded market, you don't really like to see new guys get in. On the other hand as a farmer raising breeding stock sure come on board show me the money. It is a fun business if you enjoy animals and like working with them. Please don't make the mistake of thinking you are goin to make money at it. It takes time and lots of relationship making if you want to make money at it. This means goin to sales, advertising, a little butt kissing. It is what you make of it I would say if your goin to do it start slow with a couple of animals and see how it goes. I say this cause I have seen to many people go in over their heads by starting with to many animals and loose out big. This is just my opinion if someone doesn't like it then voice your own opinion please don't bash mine.

I'll get to the point, you will NOT make a living raising deer anymore. The ones who are, have been established a long time now. Them days are gone.

Thank you everyone for your response....

I've seen whats happening now to deer farmers in NTH America happen here & several other countries. Here twice!

Those in first do well of others getting in.The price of stud stock is often out of proportion to the real value.

I remember one deal were a chicken farmer paid $3000 each for 100 menil fallow does.The real value of these now is $50 dollars each.



Look at what the market will pay for a deer.Then half that.Thats your cut.

Can you afford to breed & raise them for that price?What direction is the market going?Are the prices still to high now?



One thing appears common amoung the deer industry survivors,they can grow their own feed.It's a good thing deer eat grass.



To make fast dollars in animal industries you need to get in early & make your money before the bell curve peaks.From all the way down here I can see where deer farming is on the curve,& can guess where its going.



If deer are in your blood ,like I'd say, the majority here you have no choice,but maybe don't give up your day job just yet.



Cheers Sharkey

Hi Lawman,

I was given advice before we got our first deer . . . this was it. It is better to buy one or two good does than to buy 10 average does. The advice giver also said this . . . breed high end, and you'll get high end results; breed middle of the road, and you'll get middle of the road results; and, finally, breed low-end, and all you'll get is high food bills. Our strategy of breeding is well suited to our objectives, which leads to the next piece of advice we have received . . . know what you want from the industry. If you want to raise deer as a hobby, great; but understand that it will be just that, not a huge money-maker. If you want to raise deer for a living, treat it like a business; because that's what it is. I've seen people (close friends) treat this business like a hobby, and all they have received is frustration, high-food bills, and disappointment.



So, here's my advice (not really mine, just borrowed from others that gave it to me) . . . Know what you want and plan for it, start small with great quality does, and be very selective in what you buy and breed with.



Have a God time!

oh yeah . . . one more thing . . . don't get involved in all the "he said, she said stuff" . . . take the time to get to know people yourself. Call them, talk to them at shows, send them emails . . . draw your conclusions from YOUR interactions with them, not what someone else says about them. Probably pretty good for all of us in every area of life. You'll find there are some really great people involved in this industry . . . ones that are really interested in helping you out.

All great advice but just dont think that because you buy top animals,from top bucks and top does that you will walk in and make what the farmer made when you bought them.Sad..But it is just not that way..It's been proven without a shadow of a doubt The name game plays into the deer business and alot..most times the animal does not sell itself for what it is. Buy the best you can afford..yes.. Pick a route..Breeder,Shooter market..And then figure out your breeding plan..Its great to have deer thats for sure and you can make a little profit if you pick the right path. There are many great people in deer also but there is a few that are...Well... Take alot of trips to visit farms,go to auctions,Make phone calls and talk to farmers. If you keep hearing that someone might not be on the up and up from many people..Take the advice and if you deal with those people..Keep your eyes open. There is jealousy out there and some that have had success get run down by some that want success. If a person asked me today what would i do BEFORE i bought any deer to be in the deer business. I would say talk to at least 20 farmers and that being a good mixture of farmers. Big farms with great deer that have been in deer for years. Farmers that have been in for a few years and most important would be the new farmer of mabey up to 3 or 4 years.Listen to what folks say they would have done different if they had it to do over again.ie. Buying deer(from who and what lines) facilities for deer and fence and pen setup.

Sharkey, I think you hit the nail on the head but, I think the getting in early part is over. It is a good time to buy good stock if you can get it cheap but trust me do not spend more than you have to. Shooters only sell for so much and that is the end market.

What is cheep?

These days I'm basically in the conservation/restoration mode as far as deer go.(Cleaning up & dispersing stock when people close)

I rarely have to pay for these,& give them away to others wanting to maintain a line or species.

That is keeping as many lines,& species pure before they are lost .



The industry is about 5% what it was a decade ago.

It will come back & I hope the prices will be bona fide & reflect the true value.

Artifically inflated prices based on unrealistic or unsustainable profit,attracting the wrong types (investors ,not deer folk) will end eventually in a correction & the market place setting the price.

I accept my wholesale price is half retail, & good business is when we all do well.



How will you "all "do well ?

I'd be looking at the acceptability of your product in the market.Increase the demand.Increase the value.

Canned hunts? Tame deer? "Monster" bucks? Guarantee X score! Fair chase?

What are you & your associations doing to manage this public/market perception?

I would not be happy if someone here called a deer a "monster" in public,maybe its a cultural thing,but "monster" is not a positive way to market these animals.

A great quote from a great American is "The value of the experience is inverse to its artificiality."



I hope your market improves.

Our down turn here wasn't caused by the GFC ,or the deer.



Cheers sharkey

Oh boy sharkey....here we go with the monster buck thing again......you bring up a lot of great points and alot of what you say is true.......first off I didn't invent the name monster buck. It has been around for a long time.......I honestly do not feel the people here in the states take offense to a big buck being called a monster buck.......now the canned hunts, tame deer, drugged animals, penned hunts and things of this nature hurt our industry because They are lies and bad press. Yes we do need to focus on creating a better image in the worlds view of our industry. We also need to weed out some of the bad apples that are getting wealthy by doing bad business with the very people that help to pay their bills!! Hopefully this will all happen soon.......as well as clearing out the White House and all the idiots that are currently running our country into the ground!!

From what i am hearing thing's are looking pretty good in the stocker bucks area this year. I sure wish i had a pen full of ;Monster; bucks to ship out!!! Monster in his part of the world might be Godzilla and monster in my neck of the woods is.You better tighten your safety belt.Your knee's are about to get a little wobbley!!!