Alright...... so I'm here in Alabama twittling my thumbs as I watch in anticipation for my 5 does to finally have their babies. And while I have all of this time waiting, I can't help but think about the future; as most of us always do. As I watch them, I try to guess how many each one will have; and of those, what their sex will be. While I sit on this 5 gallon bucket and watch what God has blessed me with, I can't help but think about all He has given me with an opportunity to borrow what He has created and given humans dominion over. I've given my life, family and this deer farm over to Him in all situations, good and bad.
I remember three years ago when my first two were delivered. I was excited and scared at the same time. I remember going out there every few hours to watch them and make sure that they were ok. I was living a dream. I remember 16 days after they were delivered, going out to the pen and finding one of my two dead. I remember sitting down next to her and saying to God, "God, is this really what you want me to do?" And then I remembered that I told Him before I got them that I would give it to Him and praise Him through the good and the bad.
I remember shedding tears of joy the following spring when my doe gave me triplet doe fawns. I remember giving God the glory for it all as I picked up each individual fawn and sexed it. Since then, God has blessed me with 11 total deer (10 does and one yearling buck). I would say that I am on my way to bigger and better things but I believe that God has already given me that with faith that endures.
Anyways, sorry for getting off track. I was going to originally ask you guys for advice on what direction I should take this fall with my breeding program but I couldn't help but give God praise for what he has done in my life with this deer farm.
I have: two northern foundation does both have produced 130-150" yearlings
one Spyder/ foundation doe bred to Dream Weapon
one Torch/ foundation doe bred to Dream Weapon
one Southern bred to Golden Impact
two BASS/ foundation (will be bred this fall)
My question is, would you guys continue to do what I am doing with my herd as far as starting with northern and then breeding Texas into them or would you go another route? So far, my northern deer have done well here in Alabama. My thought was to get size first and then attempt to breed survivability into the herd. What I don't want to do is not have a breeding plan and just breed to anything. It has been said, to me, to stick with a specific blood line and line breed it with an outcross every once in a while to maximize my genetic potential. I don't know if that is true. I have no idea what crosses well with Waldvogel foundation genetics or if I want to diversify my herd by keeping straight northern, pure Texas, or mixing the two and having three subspecies of deer on my place. My ultimate goal is to breed for shooters and select one or two and try for a breeder.
This should be an interesting thread and I hope you guys will give some different opinions on what you would do. I think that is the great thing about deer farming! Thanks again.
I remember three years ago when my first two were delivered. I was excited and scared at the same time. I remember going out there every few hours to watch them and make sure that they were ok. I was living a dream. I remember 16 days after they were delivered, going out to the pen and finding one of my two dead. I remember sitting down next to her and saying to God, "God, is this really what you want me to do?" And then I remembered that I told Him before I got them that I would give it to Him and praise Him through the good and the bad.
I remember shedding tears of joy the following spring when my doe gave me triplet doe fawns. I remember giving God the glory for it all as I picked up each individual fawn and sexed it. Since then, God has blessed me with 11 total deer (10 does and one yearling buck). I would say that I am on my way to bigger and better things but I believe that God has already given me that with faith that endures.
Anyways, sorry for getting off track. I was going to originally ask you guys for advice on what direction I should take this fall with my breeding program but I couldn't help but give God praise for what he has done in my life with this deer farm.
I have: two northern foundation does both have produced 130-150" yearlings
one Spyder/ foundation doe bred to Dream Weapon
one Torch/ foundation doe bred to Dream Weapon
one Southern bred to Golden Impact
two BASS/ foundation (will be bred this fall)
My question is, would you guys continue to do what I am doing with my herd as far as starting with northern and then breeding Texas into them or would you go another route? So far, my northern deer have done well here in Alabama. My thought was to get size first and then attempt to breed survivability into the herd. What I don't want to do is not have a breeding plan and just breed to anything. It has been said, to me, to stick with a specific blood line and line breed it with an outcross every once in a while to maximize my genetic potential. I don't know if that is true. I have no idea what crosses well with Waldvogel foundation genetics or if I want to diversify my herd by keeping straight northern, pure Texas, or mixing the two and having three subspecies of deer on my place. My ultimate goal is to breed for shooters and select one or two and try for a breeder.
This should be an interesting thread and I hope you guys will give some different opinions on what you would do. I think that is the great thing about deer farming! Thanks again.
