Congratulations Wendell. It sounds like you're well on your way to setting up a first class operation there. It also looks like you got some good genetics while you're at it.

I've kept deer and antelope for most of my life, and I'd have to say that the advice given already is pretty spot on. The only thing that I would add, is that if you must handle the deer in confined areas - then make sure that you use sight barriers on your fences. When under pressure, the animals will hit the fences and break necks, or tear lips loose. Sometimes they will damage their teeth, and be unable to feed later. A good sight barrier is cheap compared to buying new stock.

Will you be stocking other species in this area??

Toby,

I do not plan on having any sort of smaller handling pens, but if I change my mind, I will heed your advice. Never thought about a deer loosing a tooth or a lip.

NitroX,

Sorry, I do not plan on buying that Stag that is pictured. I doubt he is for sale ... well not at a price I could afford. That is the other ranchers brood stag. He keeps a certain number of hinds and this one stag together. They roatate pastures. Each pasture is about 40 acres.

I am buying 10 hinds that have been bred to him (hopefully bred to him). I am also buying 4, 2-3 year old stags.

Yes, quality feed does have a lot to do with his antlers. It will be interesting to see what happens to his offspring. They will have protein available, but they will also have a large amount of other things to eat as well. Alfalfa, peas, and any natural grasses.

What age do I plan on hunting them? Well, I am told it is very difficult to keep a stag for over 4 or 5 years. Once they reach a 6x6, people want to shoot them.

Ideally, I would like to grow them out to see their real potential, let them mature to the proper age.

Realistically ... I don't know. I want them to grow up ... I risk loosing a real good one to a fight ... where do you draw the line?

I imagine I will learn quite a bit in the next few years. I just hope that I see them again afer I release them into the ranch. There are so many cedar choked draws and canyons that it should be a very challenging hunt once they mature.

Thanks for the advice. I will keep everyone posted.

Here are his 4 yr. old sheds. he was a 12x14 here



Here he is as a 5 yr. old. Fewer points but good antlers.

Too much rain this weekend, couldn't get the deer in. Roads got too muddy. We are going to shoot for next weekend.

Don't worry about me feeding them out of the truck. This is a hunting operation, not a shooting operation. I like my animals wild. I am not breeding them for sale, only for hunting.

Half the ranch is the roughest nastiest canyons choked with juniper and the occasional mesquite and the other half is flat to gently rolling river bottom. There is about 200 acres of relatively open mesquite flats with the occasional cultivated plots throughout.

It will be very exciting hunting them here. many places to hide.

I have a picture of the antlers from the brood stag these hinds were bred to. I will try to post it. It was his 4 year old antlers. He is bigger now.