[PortATrout]

Several years ago I bought a 650 acre ranch and high fenced it. This property is all native South Texas brush and is very thick and dense. After killing 95% of the native deer I brought in both bucks and does with superior genetics to try and improve the quality of deer on the ranch and have had tremendous success. All of these deer were just turned loose in the 650 acres. The original bucks (3) and does (9) that I bought were turned loose with tags in their ears so we could identify them from any native deer that may have escaped our initial harvest. These 3 bucks are now beyond their prime breeding and antler growing years and contribute nothing to the ranch because now there are much better deer of prime breeding age. In your opinion would you pay to shoot a 150 to 160 class wild deer that happens to have a tag in his ear or should I just eliminate them from the property on my own? These deer are wild animals and difficult if not impossible to find except during the rut. It would be nice to recoup some of my investment if possible but I just want to know how other people feel about this before I make my descision. I am split right down the middle and can see both sides and would like to hear other peoples honest opinions without this turning into a high fence low fence, pen raised bashing issue.

 

[Sean Hoffmann]

People pay for those types of opportunities all the time. Go for it and recoup some of your investment.

 

[James Howell]

You can always find someone to pay for a deer. You should definitely try and recoup your investment.

 

[FREON]

Wild deer on 650 acres high fence===paid hunts, tag in ear or not IMO!!! Recoup some of your investment

 

[El Cazador]

It would be nice to recover some of your initial investment. But let me ask you a question (and I hope I'm not being a smart a55); are you going to eventually kill your bucks (or attempt to kill them) when they in their prime? or wait until they spread their genes and kill them when they are in the 150 to 160 class?

I understand not pulling the trigger on your breeders until you build up your herd, but I know some people that have big deer, but they never shoot them until they are passed their prime, and consequently they don't have the inches of antler they once did...

 

[PortATrout]

It would be nice to recover some of your initial investment. But let me ask you a question (and I hope I'm not being a smart a55); are you going to eventually kill your bucks (or attempt to kill them) when they in their prime? or wait until they spread their genes and kill them when they are in the 150 to 160 class?

I understand not pulling the trigger on your breeders until you build up your herd, but I know some people that have big deer, but they never shoot them until they are passed their prime, and consequently they don't have the inches of antler they once did...

The goal in the future is to shoot them at around 6 1/2 years of age where they have had a few years to breed and before they start to drop off antler wise. My big problem in the near future is controlling the numbers. I started with 12 deer 4 years ago and guess right now I have about 70 deer. Next year that number will increase dramatically. I don't have all of the answers but I am having a good time playing with this and watching the results. I am sure I will make all kind of mistakes along the way.

 

[Solid Action]

People will definitely pay! That ear tag is easy to cut out, hair on the ear hides the hole pretty good.

 

[El Cazador]

...My big problem in the near future is controlling the numbers. I started with 12 deer 4 years ago and guess right now I have about 70 deer. Next year that number will increase dramatically. I don't have all of the answers but I am having a good time playing with this and watching the results. I am sure I will make all kind of mistakes along the way.

A whole lot of people wish they had your problems.

Good luck!

 

[Big Mike M]

I do not think you would have a problem selling those bucks. As far as a management issue, you need to start shooting some of your deer before things get out of hand. 70 deer on 650 acres is way to many. I hunt on 7500 acres and we have around 350 deer with a buck to doe ratio at 1:1.5. You should probably sell those buck and throw in a few does along with them. People will pay to hunt, especially if they can kill multiple animals. I would get some advice from a biologist on what your numbers should be and then let your heard grow.

 

[swtmike]

Wow, this is the first hunting discussion, about a high fenced ranch having deer with tags in their ears, I've seen without people getting bent out of shape.

I'd say go for it. You'll recoup some costs, the hunter will be happy, seems like a good thing for both sides.

 

[BIG PAPPA]

or you could.....

Ever thought of joining TWA and donate the hunts for the tagged deer to their youth program? Or donating the Tagged deer to Make a wish foundation? Either way, you could write off the animal, all the feed and managing cost of these animals and possibly come out even better than selling the deer in regular paid hunts.

 

[NBTX]

Best idea yet! Make a kids day and change their life.

 

[PortATrout]

Ever thought of joining TWA and donate the hunts for the tagged deer to their youth program? Or donating the Tagged deer to Make a wish foundation? Either way, you could write off the animal, all the feed and managing cost of these animals and possibly come out even better than selling the deer in regular paid hunts.

Thanks for that suggestion. I would certainly consider something like the make a wish in the future. It would be great to light up the face of a child in that situation. Unfortunately right now I need to show the IRS that this is something that has a legitimate chance of working and not just some sort of hobby. I have plenty of write offs and I think they want to see some type of income sooner or later.

 

[Rack Ranch]

I really don't see how you can make this comment without knowing anything about the property..they have 1 deer per 9.2 acers..how can you say thats out of control?? do you know what his browse line look like?? what type of volunteer forbes does the land have?? prescribed burns?? do they plant food plots, spring or winter?? maybe both..how many protien feeders are on the 650?? how many tanks are there?? By his post it doesn't sound to me like he is stumbling around in the dark guessing at his management plan... Walker

I do not think you would have a problem selling those bucks. As far as a management issue, you need to start shooting some of your deer before things get out of hand. 70 deer on 650 acres is way to many. I hunt on 7500 acres and we have around 350 deer with a buck to doe ratio at 1:1.5. You should probably sell those buck and throw in a few does along with them. People will pay to hunt, especially if they can kill multiple animals. I would get some advice from a biologist on what your numbers should be and then let your heard grow.

 

[Big Mike M]

I really don't see how you can make this comment without knowing anything about the property..they have 1 deer per 9.2 acers..how can you say thats out of control?? do you know what his browse line look like?? what type of volunteer forbes does the land have?? prescribed burns?? do they plant food plots, spring or winter?? maybe both..how many protien feeders are on the 650?? how many tanks are there?? By his post it doesn't sound to me like he is stumbling around in the dark guessing at his management plan... Walker

Walker,

I made a comment regarding the particular ranch that I hunt on and my past experience. The ranch where I hunt is a total of 125,000 acres and has been strictly managed for 15 years. A professional biologist recommends our deer harvest every year on a game survey done in October. We do not harvest trophies until the age of 6 1/2 and we are not allowed to shoot these deer until after Dec. 20 to allow for breeding potential. I know what the brush in south texas is like and how much protein is in it. When times are good, life is good. You do not need food plots or protein in wet years, but in a drought you better have food and water or the deer will not make it. We have to kill an average of 150-200 hogs a year just to keep up. I have seen some pics of deer that you have posted and they are nice. But, I hunt on free range land that allowed me to harvest a true record book deer in 2003 that netted 172 1/8 B&C. The same morning I shot my B&C, a 187 and 175 gross were shot within a hour. This was not a coincidence. We did this with a lot of hard work and taking time to shoot all recommended does and cull bucks. Being one of the youngest guys on the lease, I had the duty of shooting and cleaning most of these deer for the last 15 years. I posted a deer last year on this site and the comments I received since you could see feeder legs was it is a breeder buck in a pen. This particular buck was a 5 1/2 year old that would score between 185-190. He is still alive and probably will be harvested by my dad and hopefully he will make B&C. So, don't get all bent out of shape from me putting my .02 in. I am speaking from years of experience.

 

[Soapeddler]

I'd get some of the initial investment back and then re-invest it in some new bloodlines. 650 acres, high fenced, with only 70 deer in the population will eventually lead to a general decline through in-breeding if not infused with new genes.

You're going to have fathers breeding their daughters and brothers breeding their sisters; first cousins, etc. etc. etc. I know this may happen on low fenced and free range areas, but on a small ranch with no escape...it's guaranteed.

I'm no wildlife biologist, just my .02

 

[Pocboy]

Soap, I think you're confused. Your talking about Arkansas and his place is in Texas. LOL

 

[Main Frame 8]

Walker,

I made a comment regarding the particular ranch that I hunt on and my past experience. The ranch where I hunt is a total of 125,000 acres and has been strictly managed for 15 years. A professional biologist recommends our deer harvest every year on a game survey done in October. We do not harvest trophies until the age of 6 1/2 and we are not allowed to shoot these deer until after Dec. 20 to allow for breeding potential. I know what the brush in south texas is like and how much protein is in it. When times are good, life is good. You do not need food plots or protein in wet years, but in a drought you better have food and water or the deer will not make it. We have to kill an average of 150-200 hogs a year just to keep up. I have seen some pics of deer that you have posted and they are nice. But, I hunt on free range land that allowed me to harvest a true record book deer in 2003 that netted 172 1/8 B&C. The same morning I shot my B&C, a 187 and 175 gross were shot within a hour. This was not a coincidence. We did this with a lot of hard work and taking time to shoot all recommended does and cull bucks. Being one of the youngest guys on the lease, I had the duty of shooting and cleaning most of these deer for the last 15 years. I posted a deer last year on this site and the comments I received since you could see feeder legs was it is a breeder buck in a pen. This particular buck was a 5 1/2 year old that would score between 185-190. He is still alive and probably will be harvested by my dad and hopefully he will make B&C. So, don't get all bent out of shape from me putting my .02 in. I am speaking from years of experience.

I read nothing in Walker's post to suggest he was bent out of shape. You made the claim that there were too many deer on this 650 acres without having all the facts in hand IMO. Does that make you a bad person? No.

It sounds as if you guys have a good plan in place where you're at but what's good for the goose isn't always good for the gander. Good luck to you and your dad on that big boy this year.

 

[Soapeddler]

Soap, I think you're confused. Your talking about Arkansas and his place is in Texas. LOL

ROFLOL!

Good one! Green sent.

 

[Rine_Everett]

I'd get some of the initial investment back and then re-invest it in some new bloodlines. 650 acres, high fenced, with only 70 deer in the population will eventually lead to a general decline through in-breeding if not infused with new genes.

You're going to have fathers breeding their daughters and brothers breeding their sisters; first cousins, etc. etc. etc. I know this may happen on low fenced and free range areas, but on a small ranch with no escape...it's guaranteed.

I'm no wildlife biologist, just my .02

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