New member post

Hello, this is my first new member post to make! I own 146 acre high fence ranch/farm in Orange, TX. I have approx. 70 axis deer and counting, 17 head of cattle and 2 donkeys. I have a 14 acre wooded and semi wooded pen inside of the 146 acre tract where I started the axis herd of 20 head in Sept of 2022. They are multiplying quickly. The 146 acre tract is half woods and have pasture. We just finished a livestock barn on the property and will begin working on fencing in the barn area to contain our tame breeder does. I currently have 2 - 1 year old bottle fed does at our home 15 minutes from the farm that will eventually live at the barn. My target market is intended on being mostly sellling to other ranches as stockers. I will sell some hunts throughout the year and also look to try to get into some form of venison sales market. I would love some input on proper handling facilities and layouts and live loading practices that have been proven successful from others. I plan on getting trained in darting but prefer live loading whenever possible. Currently the axis free graze the property and come to three corn feeders and 1 bulk protein deer feeder twice a day. The bulk feeder has 32’ of trough that allows ample amounts of deer to feed from it. Food is not a problem where I am located but will leave them Bermuda round bales throughout the winter and will also feed alfalfa square bales periodically. I would love any input and advice on the handling facility ideas, live loading practices, and what others have done in regards to selling them as stockers, hunts, and venison products. Right now this is a hobby of sorts, but I do intend on making it profitable, hopefully, as supplemental retirement income. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you,

Ryan and Amanda Hale
Hidden Pines Ranch, LLC