I am a new Whitetail farmer in Kentucky. I am super excited with this new endeavor and can't wait to fill up my deer pens. I look forward to all that I can learn on this forum. I currently have 5 adult does, and 8 fawns, 2 of which are bottle fed. My goal is to have 20 or more breeding age does within my first year.
New Farmer
- Thread starter Fondaw Whitetails
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..maybe you should hang at that number of does for a couple years...it is way easier to have OOps's when you have a few. 20 does equals 35-40 fawns and that is a bunch. Have fun with them and do what you want and ask a lot of questions and good luck.
Joined Apr 2009
624 Posts | 0+
*******, PA
Good luck on your new venture. If you are in need of some good bred doe this fall get in touch with me. 724-777-0727 [email protected]
Joined Apr 2009
2,617 Posts | 0+
Edgar, WI
Excellent advice! Glad not everyone sugar coats and gives false encouragement. There is much to learn and 20 breeding age does would be a mistake starting out new.
I started with 5 does- 3 of which were bred. Had 5 babies, 2 does & 3 bucks. Live bred the does (7) and have had 11 fawns this year with one doe left to drop. I bottle feed the does and leave the bucks with momma. In my opinion it is much easier to learn as you go with less deer initially. My deer know me and I know which ones are acting "strange" or sick because I spend a lot of time with them.
I think alot of people get into this and want to grow too fast. It is a challenge to manage a bunch of deer at the beginning stages and I would recommend to anyone that starting slowly and building is the better avenue in the long run. I started knowing up front that I would have zero income for at least 2 -3 years IF everything went right. It doesn't take long to grow a herd, but a herd can be wiped out in a season if you have to cut corners because you don't have the time to do it right.
Again, just my opinion! Good luck and enjoy it!
I think alot of people get into this and want to grow too fast. It is a challenge to manage a bunch of deer at the beginning stages and I would recommend to anyone that starting slowly and building is the better avenue in the long run. I started knowing up front that I would have zero income for at least 2 -3 years IF everything went right. It doesn't take long to grow a herd, but a herd can be wiped out in a season if you have to cut corners because you don't have the time to do it right.
Again, just my opinion! Good luck and enjoy it!
I have had lots of people ask about deerfarming and have tried to tell them all to start small and be ready to take losses. a few years ago I had a person call me quite a number of times and talk for hours, helped him get fence and helped put it up. Even helped him get inspected by the state to get his permit. I then found out he was going to buy 15 does from four out of state producers - ND isn't an easy state to get deer into and he blew up on me and was going to sue me for false information - said I didn't tell him he couldn't import deer in.......long story short, I don't encourage any body anymore..just give an opinion for what it is worth
Joined Jul 2017
54 Posts | 0+
Fostoria, Ohio
Here in Ohio first contact the ODNR. They will provide a packet that you read and fill out. Once you construct your pen that meets the states requirements you then send in that paperwork along with a payment to have your pen inspected. Once you get the green light from ODNR you then submit paperwork to the Dept. of Ag along with a payment. The Dept then sends out the state Veterinarian to look over your pen as well and to go over more paperwork. Once that happens you send in paperwork to the Dept of Ag and they will give you the OK to purchase your deer. You have to provide them with from whom you are buying from and so on. Once you purchase deer and file your movement paperwork you can bring the deer to your farm. Once the deer are there you have to have your local Vet come out and inspect the animals and sign off on a couple of forms that will then be sent back into the Dept. of Ag. Once complete you will receive your permits in the mail. Ohio then requires an annual inspection of the animals by your local vet and then you have to renew your permit with the Dept. of Ag in March.
I don't know how it works where you live but this is how it works here in Ohio. I guess if I was you my first call would be to the Dept of Ag and the division of wild life. Hope this helps. Good luck if you decide to pursue deer farming.
I don't know how it works where you live but this is how it works here in Ohio. I guess if I was you my first call would be to the Dept of Ag and the division of wild life. Hope this helps. Good luck if you decide to pursue deer farming.
KY Permits
KY is a little less complicated (it seems) than OH (post above this). I had Fish and Wildlife Dept. fax me the regulations/requirements which includes the specs for fencing, posts etc., all the laws. Lots of footwork to find fence/post options. Once pen is built, called the designated game warden (there was a map with the various regions in the above paperwork) for inspection. He approved, filled out paperwork, gave me copy, submitted the rest to his dept. That's when I could fill out application for permit, which also included to have a vet commit to work with me (form for vet to fill out and sign). The whole package with fee off to Fish and Wildlife. They issued permit, informed Dept. of Agriculture, sent copies of my forms over there, initiating account/record set up. Just had to send in fee there. Previous owner took care of transport paperwork. The does were looked at and papers signed off when they were loaded at their previous facility. No official or vet here when they were delivered. From then on, inspections by both departments annually. Each new pen has to be inspected prior to letting deer into it (just like initial pen). State vet here has a new ambitious employee now. From now on they will show up for record inspection quarterly and do annual inspection between Jan. and March each year, not on anniversary date when I initially entered into the CWD program. Good, friendly relationship with officials, accurate record keeping and establishing a reputation of being a responsible, honest, reliable, cooperative farmer is very helpful. Attitude matters. I heard of others that officials can make a nuisance out of themselves. Permits here are $150 each annually.
KY is a little less complicated (it seems) than OH (post above this). I had Fish and Wildlife Dept. fax me the regulations/requirements which includes the specs for fencing, posts etc., all the laws. Lots of footwork to find fence/post options. Once pen is built, called the designated game warden (there was a map with the various regions in the above paperwork) for inspection. He approved, filled out paperwork, gave me copy, submitted the rest to his dept. That's when I could fill out application for permit, which also included to have a vet commit to work with me (form for vet to fill out and sign). The whole package with fee off to Fish and Wildlife. They issued permit, informed Dept. of Agriculture, sent copies of my forms over there, initiating account/record set up. Just had to send in fee there. Previous owner took care of transport paperwork. The does were looked at and papers signed off when they were loaded at their previous facility. No official or vet here when they were delivered. From then on, inspections by both departments annually. Each new pen has to be inspected prior to letting deer into it (just like initial pen). State vet here has a new ambitious employee now. From now on they will show up for record inspection quarterly and do annual inspection between Jan. and March each year, not on anniversary date when I initially entered into the CWD program. Good, friendly relationship with officials, accurate record keeping and establishing a reputation of being a responsible, honest, reliable, cooperative farmer is very helpful. Attitude matters. I heard of others that officials can make a nuisance out of themselves. Permits here are $150 each annually.