This fact has not gone unnoticed by savvy investors.  Texas alone has seen an increase from around 200 deer farms in 1998 to more than 1,000 today.

Many see dollar signs when they get into the deer farming business; and with good reason.  Good quality does can bring anywhere between $3,000 and $5,000.  And a prized breeding quality buck can bring as much as $650,000!

The advantages of deer farming also include the ease of upkeep. For a farmer or ranch owner who has a lot of pasture or woods on his property, there is no need to feed deer, in fact, it is preferred that you don’t feed them outright if you want them to remain “wild”.

So, there is relatively little upfront investment needed to get into deer farming, as long as you have the land.  The only necessity is a good-quality deer fence, and this is an area where you can’t afford to skimp.

That leads me to perhaps the only downside to deer farming – keeping them enclosed. Deer are notorious fence jumpers.  Most can easily sail over a 6-foot high fence. So if you want to keep them in, you must have a fence that is at least eight feet tall.

Many deer farmers have found out the hard way that this is the most vital part of their operation – money saved on cheap deer fencing is quickly lost to escaping prized deer.  So, be sure to invest in a quality fence such as those provided by J4 Fencing and Services (www.j4fs.com).

If you are considering deer farming, know that it can be a very profitable business for those who already have sufficient land, as long as you maintain a proper deer fence.

It’s that time of year again, time when the first green shoots of your crops and treasured perennials are starting to emerge from the ground.  Of course, that also means it’s time to begin your annual battle against munching deer.

You are not alone in your struggle.  Deer cost the agricultural industry an average of $100 million every year!

Over time, farmers and gardeners have discovered some home remedies to try to control these pesky visitors, such as human hair and even man’s best friend.  And, there is no shortage of sprays, netting, and other commercial remedies on the market.

Some gardeners and farmers have even installed an electric perimeter around their gardens, hoping to provide their unwanted guests with an unpleasant shock.  While this might work to keep your K9 out of your flower bed, it does little to deter the high jumpers of the animal kingdom.

In fact, the only barrier consistently proven to work is a deer fence.  When I say deer fence, I don’t mean your typical livestock or pet fence.  A deer fence is a special type of fencing built high enough to prevent jump-overs and strong enough to prevent run-throughs.

In addition to being an effective deer barrier, a quality deer fence will also be more durable than the sprays and other deterrents that provide only temporary relief from gluttonous deer.

So, this year as you plan your garden, it may be a good idea to also plan how you will protect it with a durable and effective deer fence.

Thousands of deer and other wild game escape from deer farms in the U.S. each year.  The culprit:  An inadequate game fence.

Unlike traditional farm animals such as cattle and horses, deer and wild game have the ability to jump up to eight feet high, giving them the power to clear most traditional fencing.  And, unlike cows and horses, wild game don’t have the benefit of generations of domestication on their side, making run-throughs a major problem unless you have the right kind of game fence.

Experts agree and some states now require that a game fence should be 8 feet tall and strong enough to resist run-throughs.  It’s true that you could construct a chain length enclosure and run a strand of electric wire across the top.

In fact, many deer farmers do.  The problem is that electricity only works if an animal has encountered it before…meaning that it’s only on the way over the top of the enclosure that the deer will feel the electricity, a lesson that is learned too late once the deer is on the other side.

Another downside of an electric game fence is that it is unreliable.  Debris can weaken the strength of the current and broken strands or power outages can leave a clear escape path for your herd.

The best option is a galvanized metal fixed knot net wire game fence.  But before you rush off to buy such a game fence, be sure that your installer follows industry best practices for game fence installation.

For example, be sure to ask whether the fencing material is rust-resistant. A game fence can be costly, so making sure that the one you choose will last a lifetime is critical.

You should also ask about the installation of your fence.  Ask how far apart the posts will be placed, how deep they will be driven, and what material they are made out of.  These may seem like tedious questions, but your game fence will only be as strong as the posts that are holding it up.

Finally, you should consider the safety of the animals that will be enclosed in your game fence.  Make sure that there will be no sharp edges or exposed posts that could impale your deer. © J4 Fencing & Services 2012

Before we get into the details of these arguments, let’s first revisit the history of high-fence hunting.  High-fence hunting began out of some in the cattle industry’s necessity to survive.  With beef prices on the decline, landowners needed a way to supplement their income, or risk selling their ranches to developers.  Many chose the former.

The solution many turned to was exotic game cultivation.  In order to protect their investment and prevent interbreeding of exotic and domestic species, the high-fence hunting industry was born.

Most recently, 60 Minutes ran a segment on the topic in relation to the African Scimitar-Horned Oryx.  This species is considered extinct in the wild, but thanks to high-fence hunting in Texas, the species is flourishing in captivity.

So, it appears that at least one benefit to the high-fence hunting industry is the protection of endangered species.  In a capitalist society, where there is money, there is an interest in cultivation.

Proponents of high-fence hunting also use the defense that high-fence hunting has become a necessity due to stringent regulations governing hunting on public lands.

Landowners who want to manage a healthy deer population and grow big bucks also posit that irresponsible hunting practices on the whole have necessitated the fencing in of their own property.  They may be investing time and money in managing the wild deer on their property, while neighboring landowners harvest every deer that crosses their property line.

On the opponents side, deer hunting enthusiasts as well as animal-rights activists are aligned together.  While animal rights activists decry the practice as barbaric, some hunting enthusiasts claim that high-fence hunting cheapens the experience and they liken it to shooting a pet instead of practicing a sport.

Where these two groups diverge, though, is that the animal rights activists want high-fence hunting outlawed (and they have succeeded to some extent in 20 states) while hunters believe that it is a choice that should be left up to the individual hunter, though 83% of people polled by a Safari Club International poll said they, themselves, would not participate in the hunts.

One other disadvantage, furthering the hunter-opposition, Boone & Crockett currently will not consider a deer for its record books if it has been transported for commercial shooting or if it is confined by artificial barriers.

In the end, the debate seems to come down to size, at least for hunters.  Many hunters have been “converted” once they actually see a high-fence operation in action.  They seem to find that a 1000-acre+ ranch with natural and rugged terrain presents just as much of a challenge as an open range hunt.  The only difference is the quality of the deer harvested.

The debate will likely continue, but with more education on both sides of the issue, the discussion will likely become less heated. ©J4 Fencing & Services www.j4fs.com

On a much larger scale, white-tailed deer damage alone costs U.S. farmers over $100 million dollars every year according to articles published in Wildlife Society Bulletin in 1997 and 1998.

A 2001 Extension Journal article highlights a study conducted across 13 north-eastern states in which they found that, when combined, the damage done to high value agriculture, grain crops, nursery stock, and commercial and residential landscaping exceeded $240 million!

When you add the $50 million spent annually on deer fencing, protective barriers, and chemicals to deer proof gardens and lawns, the economic impact of white-tailed deer on agriculture and gardening is quite substantial.

The problem stems from the fact that white-tailed deer are incredibly adaptable and resilient.  Unlike many of their wildlife counterparts, white-tailed deer not only survive, but thrive in residential and even commercial areas, particularly since many of their natural predators have been eliminated from these areas.

Today, there are more than 20 million white-tailed deer in the United States, with those numbers expected to double every 2-3 years as long as there is an adequate food supply.

This has led most states to loosen restrictions related to deer hunting including extending the season in some parts of the country and increasing the annual per person limit.

However, even with a growing group of hunting enthusiasts, deer damage remains a top concern for many in the agricultural industry.

For information on deer management, deer fence, high fence and other fencing needs, contact J4 Fencing & services today at 979-637-9892 or email us at info@j4fs.com or cuatro@j4fs.com.

For more information on the economic impact of deer damage, check out these resources:

Conover, M. R. (1997). Monetary and Intangible Valuation of Deer in the United States. Wildlife Society Bulletin, 25, 298-305.

Conover, M. R. (1998). Perceptions of American Agricultural Producers About Wildlife on Their Farms and Ranches. Wildlife Society Bulletin, 26, 597-604.

February 2005.  Assessment of Negative Economic Impacts from Deer in the Northeastern United States. Extension Journal, Inc, Volume 43, Number 1. http://www.joe.org/joe/2005february/rb5.php

General Deer Population Facts:  http://wildlifecontrol.info/deer/pages/deerpopulationfacts.aspx

There are many products on the market that claim to be effective for deer control, but for lasting and guaranteed protection, a deer fence is really the best option.  We’ll examine each in comparison to deer fencing below.

Repellents:

Deer repellents are available in many varieties, ranging from home remedies such as human hair, creosote, and soap to mothballs and chemical sprays.  Some homeowners report varied success with home remedies, while others are shocked to see the deer eating the soap!

So, of these options, chemical sprays are the most effective, but also the most expensive.  And, regardless of the repellent you use, for optimal protection, reapplication is necessary every 3-4 weeks.  For large areas in need of protection, repellants are not only expensive, but very labor intensive and simply not feasible.

Deterrents:

Deterrents mostly refer to tactical strategies us humans use to “outsmart” deer.  Like, repellents, these often have limited success.

Examples include:

• Security – No, not in the form of an armed guard walking around your property, but the K-9 kind.  Some websites advocate using a dog to keep unwanted deer off your property.  However, this is risky for the dog and not likely to be effective if there is more than one deer.
• Noise – The premise here is that skittish deer will hear voices on the radio and flee.  But, like any other noise, over time the deer will simply learn to tune it out.
• Strategic planting – In theory this seems like a good idea.  Plant flowers and shrubs that deer detest and they won’t zero in on your yard.  in practice it means that you have very limited gardening choices.  And, when deer are hungry, they will eat anything, even most plants listed as “deer proof”.

Barriers: Texas High Fence

Barriers are the most effective form of deer control.  Barriers include various types of deer fencing as well as netting.

Netting can be very effective, but, again, depending on the area you need to deer proof, it may not be feasible.  Netting also degrades in three to five years, requiring a continual investment in both time and money.

Most deer control experts agree that deer fencing is the best option for permanent deer control.  It is safe and humane as well effective and long lasting.  When selecting a deer fence, you should ensure that the fence is at least six to eight feet high.  An effective deer fence will also be constructed of a high tensile material that will resist run-throughs.

And, for those concerned with aesthetics, most deer fence manufacturers offer an almost-invisible material.

So, if you want to keep deer out for good, consider investing in a deer fence.  It will save you time and hassle in the long-run.

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Brister Ranch#1

Each of our handling facilities are custom designed for your specific stock and business strategies. Depending on your needs, the handling barns can feature separate areas for darting deer, caring for sick or injured animals, artificial insemination of fawns, feeding areas, or areas for release or showcase. There are many aspects that go into the art of handling whitetails or other exotic game species. Designing efficient farm plans and building deer handling facilities that ensure safety and encourage natural behavior is the first and most important step towards success.