New person interested in entering the cervid business

Bill, you probably need to check with your state to see if you can even raise deer in Maine. I'm not sure if they allow it. Either the state wildlife people or your Dept. of Agr.

Bill,

Clearing any real money in this business is pretty difficult. Even if the land is free, you can have a lot of costs in terms of startup capital, deer, advertising, etc... Getting a good name is pretty important, and I would check to see if you can sell your deer or meat... or any other product first.



Having said that, I would not count on hunters to supply anything other than a little extra. For instance, I know of places that sell hunts at the same price that they sell the deer to a preserve. Not easy to do, but only 300 acres, near tourist areas, leaves bow hunters as your target market. Even a slug could easily carry off target.



I have set up ranches with a perimeter wall of dirt, just by pushing it up with a dozer. The dirt became the backstop for a bullet. Remember that a rifle bullet fired at the right angle can carry 5 miles. Bow hunting is safer...



Build an initial start plan with costs set aside for fencing, deer, feed, stands/blinds, lodging, medical, and advertising as a minimum. If you can get recommendations from archery shops, get them. Booking agents may charge up to 15%, so watch your margins carefully. Here is a quick breakdown of a 3 day hunt... Costs are from my place.



1) Hunter Fee $3500 Hunt is for a 135-150 inch animal

2) Deer cost $1750. I cannot buy for that price, and can raise one a little cheaper. It is in the middle.

3) Guide Fees: $450 (150 a day)

4) Marketing costs ($15,000/20) or $750 ( IE for $15000, I can book 20 hunters) or use 15% of 3500 or $525. I prefer the $525 for obvious reasons.

5) Misc Lodging, heating, cooling, cleaning, gas etc... $150





Costs $1750 + $450 + $525 + 150 = $2875



I tend to guide sometimes myself but, with more than 1 hunter, I still need guides often. And that is a lot of work.



So, I can clear around $600 a deer. Less if I spend a lot of time and effort booking, shows, website etc...



Also, booking a deer for $3500 is not that easy. You will have competition that will book a similar hunt on more land for $2500 or even $1750. Some will have good deer, free range on ranch/farm land with food for $2750. For me, meals run over $200 a day if I hire a cook and $50 a day if I dont.



Most of us are in this because we love deer, and also to earn a little extra. Selling deer to hunting ranches is usually better from a gross margin perspective. Selling hunts can be great or really bad. But, the hunter has a lot of options, including free range deer, other ranches and states, etc... Many hunters want to hunt on HUGE ranches, over 5000 acres. I personally perfer to hunt on smaller land, simply because i can get to know it easily.



Best,

Hardpan.

When you want to discuss fencing options please give me a call at (717) 238-7715, ask for Henry. We sell fencing items all over the country and at very reasonable prices I am sure you will find extreamly competitive.