FAQS
DO YOU HUNT DEER ON YOUR FARM?
No. At our farm we raise deer families. We do sometimes sell our deer to other ranches and preserves, but hunting is not allowed on our farm.
DO YOU GROW/SELL THE DEER FOR MEAT?
No. Though Florida law recently passed a bill that allows this to be a possibility for deer farmers; at this farm, we don't eat our friends and we do not sell them for meat.
ARE YOU BUCKS GENETICALLY MODIFIED?
No - not at all. Deer have genetic repositories, much like the AKC registry for dogs. The primary factor in antler growth is genetics, so we look for bucks with a good history of antlers that we like. Breeding for large antlers is, essentially, selective breeding (taking the best of your brood and using them for the next generation). We do not alter the deer in any way.
In the wild, deer with large antlers tend to be hunted, so the deer with small antlers pass on their genetics (essentially, reverse selective breeding). Thats why we really don't see very many impressive bucks in the wild. By raising them on a farm, we are able to preserve the natural beauty of a truly magnificent buck.
WHAT DO YOU DO WITH THE DEER?
We raise deer because we love them - the same as a dog or cat owner loves their animals. We have specific deer that are like family to us. Whether they breed or not, these few deer will always be here.
Raising deer is expensive, so we do breed them, primarily for the purpose of helping cover the cost of deer feed.
When we sell deer, they can only be sold to a licensed game farm. That may be a private owner, a preserve or another deer farmer.
HOW DID YOU GET INTO THIS?
We were looking into buying land that would have an agricultural exemption that we could make use of. We discovered that deer farming was an option so we visited a deer farm nearby. Once we got to bottlefeed some baby fawns and love on them a bit - we were hooked!
Hope we answered all of your questions. If not, contact us now.