IndependenceRanch910011396108202
Ok I was going to just make the one analogy in an easy going way to try and make my point and move on with life. However I can't, and the reason I can't is the new folks who are just learning read these forums. For THEM I have to say something more.
Those who have been doing things for years and feel they have no interest in changing are of course free to continue as they are. In fact I have no interest at all in changing their minds! It is great that some have tame herds and like to promote their tame herds. I also have a tame herd. And years ago I did cull animals based on their ability to be handled. However if a doe is tame otherwise during the year but she needs a "mix" of NORMAL use drugs to be put down for some reason that is not a good reason to cull her and her offspring in my opinion. If she is otherwise tame and PRODUCES well she should be kept.
That said,
Times change as we learn more and as we gain better and more advanced tools. Drugs are just that, tools. Back 20+ years ago when I first started in deer Xylazine (or Rompun as we called it back then) was the most widely used drug for handling deer. Back then it was about all we had short of a rope!
However times change and along with that advancements in drugs we have available at our disposal. I won't go into the scientific whys and hows of drug use. I do wish to highly encourage new people to seek out proper training in drugs and the use of those drugs. Please don't take the advice of folks on these forums. Opinions are like butt holes, we all have one. Don't use drug choices, amounts of each or any other specifics given about drugs for handling deer. Get that from the vets who specialize in chemical immobilization.
http://www.safecapture.com/
I do feel it is good for folks to share their experiences with each other in these forums, however it is important new people learn certain things from the experts. Drugs and drug uses are among those certain things. I have used various drugs with deer for like I said, 20+ years and I am NOT an expert. I merely have opinions and experiences.
Back in the day having Xylazine was a blessing. Then came the "mix" of drugs that included Xylazine and the blessing seemed to be sent from God himself it was so much better. Recently I have seen and used Bam and WOW, I can't say enough good about it! But now I hear there is another drug that might even have BAM beat. I intend to get educated on that drug as well.
As propagators of cervids we hold a great deal of responsibility to the animals in our control. It is our responsibility to take the best care of them we can. I also feel we spend our hard earned money building fences, getting feeders, water units, applying for permits, buying feed, and buying stock. We all have a great deal of investment in this whole process. It is important to limit our risk of animal loss or damage by not cutting corners.
Again this is to encourage the new folks. Good luck to you all.
This^^. Another thing: elk and deer are NOTHING alike when it comes to sedation. There is basically no comparison to be made between the two. I have helped cut velvet on elk in a chute with .5cc of straight Xylazine; if you tried that with a whitetail, either you or the deer (or both) would probably be dead or seriously injured in short order.
Ok I was going to just make the one analogy in an easy going way to try and make my point and move on with life. However I can't, and the reason I can't is the new folks who are just learning read these forums. For THEM I have to say something more.
Those who have been doing things for years and feel they have no interest in changing are of course free to continue as they are. In fact I have no interest at all in changing their minds! It is great that some have tame herds and like to promote their tame herds. I also have a tame herd. And years ago I did cull animals based on their ability to be handled. However if a doe is tame otherwise during the year but she needs a "mix" of NORMAL use drugs to be put down for some reason that is not a good reason to cull her and her offspring in my opinion. If she is otherwise tame and PRODUCES well she should be kept.
That said,
Times change as we learn more and as we gain better and more advanced tools. Drugs are just that, tools. Back 20+ years ago when I first started in deer Xylazine (or Rompun as we called it back then) was the most widely used drug for handling deer. Back then it was about all we had short of a rope!
However times change and along with that advancements in drugs we have available at our disposal. I won't go into the scientific whys and hows of drug use. I do wish to highly encourage new people to seek out proper training in drugs and the use of those drugs. Please don't take the advice of folks on these forums. Opinions are like butt holes, we all have one. Don't use drug choices, amounts of each or any other specifics given about drugs for handling deer. Get that from the vets who specialize in chemical immobilization.
http://www.safecapture.com/
I do feel it is good for folks to share their experiences with each other in these forums, however it is important new people learn certain things from the experts. Drugs and drug uses are among those certain things. I have used various drugs with deer for like I said, 20+ years and I am NOT an expert. I merely have opinions and experiences.
Back in the day having Xylazine was a blessing. Then came the "mix" of drugs that included Xylazine and the blessing seemed to be sent from God himself it was so much better. Recently I have seen and used Bam and WOW, I can't say enough good about it! But now I hear there is another drug that might even have BAM beat. I intend to get educated on that drug as well.
As propagators of cervids we hold a great deal of responsibility to the animals in our control. It is our responsibility to take the best care of them we can. I also feel we spend our hard earned money building fences, getting feeders, water units, applying for permits, buying feed, and buying stock. We all have a great deal of investment in this whole process. It is important to limit our risk of animal loss or damage by not cutting corners.
Again this is to encourage the new folks. Good luck to you all.
This^^. Another thing: elk and deer are NOTHING alike when it comes to sedation. There is basically no comparison to be made between the two. I have helped cut velvet on elk in a chute with .5cc of straight Xylazine; if you tried that with a whitetail, either you or the deer (or both) would probably be dead or seriously injured in short order.