Thoughts on pen design...beginner

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Falls Valley

Joined Mar 2011

5 Posts | 0+

Capon Bridge, WV

Discussion Starter
• Mar 27, 2011

• #1

Ok guys...I'm looking to ease my way in to this and am wanting some input on pen size. I was outside today doing a bit of looking around and I've come up with this idea...I'm thinking 100'X150' split down the middle to make 2 pens of 7500 sqft. Knowing that I never want to be at my maximum legal limit that enclosure would give me the ability to hold 9 legally. Would it be safe to assume that I could hold 2 animals total in each of those pens? For those of you that know me you know my intent of the enclosures I just want some feedback on size...Thanks

 

Four Seasons Whitetails

Joined Oct 2009

3,165 Posts | 1+

upstate ny

• Mar 27, 2011

• #2

Thats the size of my fawn pen(150by150).Not a very big area in my eyes.Great for bottlefeeding fawns untill moving to another pen.If your state says it ok then i guess you can do it.Not sure what your plans are but that wont give them alot of area to escape to if they get spooked(dog,yote,kids)Bottlefeds would be the best for sure...

 

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Headley

Joined Apr 2009

427 Posts | 0+

Clanton, Alabama

• Mar 27, 2011

• #3

I have 5 pens that or 120x260 to me that is to big. I have 12 more pens that or 120x140

I like that size better the biger your pen the wilder your deer will be. I have a 3 acer pen for my bucks to grow out in. Not that all this is right it is just what works best for me.



Joe Headley

www.AlabamasFinest.com

 

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ANTLER VALLEY

Joined Apr 2009

1,020 Posts | 0+

Carrollton, MO

• Mar 27, 2011

• #4

I think 1/2 acre pens are big enough, consider pie-shaped pens if you're going to have a handling facility-getting deer to run out of a pie-shaped pen is easier than a square/rectangle...

 

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troyship

Joined Feb 2011

19 Posts | 0+

Mercer, Missouri

• Mar 28, 2011

• #5

If you make them to small and have too many deer in them they will turn into a mud hole. I know i wouldn't want to sleep in a mud hole so don't expect my deer to do it. Plus i know you said 4 deer, but before long those 4 will turn into 30. Speaking from experance! (Plan for expansion)

 

Whitetail Sanctuary

Joined May 2009

2,369 Posts | 0+

Chillicothe, Missouri

• Mar 28, 2011

• #6

ANTLER VALLEY said:

I think 1/2 acre pens are big enough, consider pie-shaped pens if you're going to have a handling facility-getting deer to run out of a pie-shaped pen is easier than a square/rectangle...

Click to expand...

Do you have any troubles with your deer piling up in the wedge end of those pie shaped pens?

 

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alabowhunter

Joined Aug 2009

56 Posts | 0+

Montevallo, Alabama

• Mar 29, 2011

• #7

We have an alleyway that leads to a cul-de-sac with 12 gates in a circle. Each gate opens to a pie shaped pen about 500ft long x 200ft accross the back, about 1.4 acres each. The alleyway leads to the barn. When you want to run the deer to the barn just walk to the back of the pen with the gate open and the deer exit into the cul-de-sac and down the alleyway. There are no corners to get hung up in. Without a doubt the best design I've seen. Also, you can move deer from pen to pen just by opening two gates.

 

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Falls Valley

Joined Mar 2011

5 Posts | 0+

Capon Bridge, WV

Discussion Starter
• Mar 29, 2011

• #8

Thanks for the input...I think? So assuming I now I don't want a mud filled enclosure will 100x150 hold 4 animals acceptably...I know I will expand but you must start somewhere

 

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daywoodwhitetails

Joined Jan 2011

429 Posts | 0+

Barnett Mo

• Mar 29, 2011

• #9

my first pen was 75 ft wide by 150 ft long i have had 3 very tame does in it with no trouble as long as you make sure it has a good stand of grass they were in it all summer it has native grasses and alot of clover not a mud hole except where they run the fence.

 

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Smoking_44

Joined Feb 2011

178 Posts | 0+

Cameron, TX

• Mar 29, 2011

• #10

My pen is 6880 sq. ft. The wildlife biologist said I could have 4 deer in it. I may stay with 3 to start with though.

 

AnthonyWR

Joined Jun 2010

507 Posts | 0+

Dubois, PA

• Mar 30, 2011

• #11

mine are all 100ft by 250ft and it works great. The ends into the runway are funneled in so I can move deer by myself. We have a little mud this time of year, but who doesnt. They deff. arent sleeping in it. In the spring we lime and plant the pens and in a week or so muds all gone.