ABOUT OUR FALLOW DEER OPERATION

We own approximately 150 fallow deer on 125 acres of rich, fertile pecan bottomland.  110 acres are cultivated, leaving 15 acres of native grasses, mesquite, and oak. The cultivated area is dotted with mature native pecan trees which offer shade and shelter from the elements and (much to the delight of our deer) pecans in the fall. This cultivated area is divided into 6 paddocks ranging in size from10 to 25 acres.

FEEDING

The most economical feed available is what grows in the field. Each fall we cultivate and plant a mix of oats, wheat and winter peas on about 50 acres. On the remaining 60 acres we broadcast rye grass. The deer are rotated through the paddocks in order to maximize the forage production. In the spring excess forage is baled and stored for future use. After haying, summer crops are put in which usually include Sudan, hay-grazer, or red-top cane. Again, we practice paddock rotation. We are hoping to sprig one of the larger paddocks with Tifton-85, a Bermuda grass which is well adapted to our area. We supplement our deer with range cubes (22% protein) and corn as necessary, and provide minerals, salt, and fresh water at all times.

HEALTH MANAGEMENT

Deer are hardy animals and possess a natural resistance to disease and parasites.  However, because we raise them in a confined area, we vaccinate against the most common ailments and utilize parasite control measures. We work our deer twice a year at which time we weigh, vaccinate, and worm. In the spring we vaccinate all deer with Covexin 8-way (Clostridium Chauvoei - Septicum-Haemolyticum - Novyi - Tetani - Perfringens Types C & D Bacterin - Toxoid).  The does get an additional vaccination at this time of  Lepto Shield 5 (Leptospira Canicola - Grippotyphosa - HardJo - Icterohaemorrhagiae -Pomona Bacterin). We vaccinate in the spring so that the does will produce antibodies in their milk that will subsequently extend the protection to their fawns.  Not all producers vaccinate and under most circumstances fallow probably do need vaccinations.  We choose to vaccinate because we are raising them fairly intensively (more per acre than on the average hunting ranch for example) and because we want to be sure we are selling the healthiest possible stock.
        
We rotate wormers and use cydectin or ivermectin in the fall and a white wormer such as valbazen in the spring.  We observe our deer throughout the year for possible worminess and are ready to worm the herd anytime necessary but to date have not had to worm outside of our normal times.  We worm every deer immediately before shipping or pickup.
        
Bucks are worked in February and again in the summer, after the velvet on their antlers begins stripping off, but before they fully come into rut.  For safety reasons we cut off the hard antler of our breeder bucks and yearlings just above the cornice which makes them much less dangerous during the upcoming rut, both to each other and to people who enter the fields to feed them. Antler removal also makes them less likely to be the target of poachers. At this stage of development this procedure is painless (much like you cutting your fingernails) and does not interfere with subsequent year's antler growth.  We used to cut off all antlers at this time but find that most buyers are looking for bucks with antlers in the fall and we strive to provide what the buyer wants when he/she wants it.

 FAWNING

This is truly the most rewarding time of year as there are few things more adorable than a fawn.  The gestation period for fallow deer is approximately 7 months and we begin seeing fawns by mid-May, with the bulk of them arriving the end of May through the beginning of June.  Fallow does normally give birth to a single fawn.  Twinning is rare, although there have been documented cases.  Fallow does make wonderful mothers and often allow other fawns to nurse in addition to their own, so even an orphaned fawn has a good chance for survival.