BRC Fallow Deer

“You raise fallow deer? That’s really cool!………. But why? What do you do with them and who wants to buy them from you?”  

This is exactly how the majority of conversations track when I am chatting with friends, family and new acquaintances. After the awe of having fallow deer fades then comes the question: “Why?” 

Why build a deer farm? Why are we raising fallow deer? 

Well let me tell ya…….. 😉

We knew we wanted to raise our family out in the country on a homestead. We love being out in nature and want to provide for ourselves as much as possible from our own property. We love that we are sharing our love of land, animals and hard work with our children. I honestly can’t think of a better way to raise our children than being immersed in the great outdoors, getting their hands (and everything else) dirty. It is important to us that we teach our children how to care for animals and we chose to raise fallow deer. Especially the fact that fallow deer thrive on less acreage than cattle need, thus giving our small 25 acre homestead a chance at being a successful farmstead. For example, from a Kansas cattle perspective, it takes 4-8 acres per cow/calf pair for year round grazing. In those same 4-8 acres you could raise 20-40 fallow deer. This difference in land needs can give small-scale landowners a chance at raising animals that they love without having to spend all their hard earned money on hundreds of acres of land. BTW, Have you seen land prices lately?? 

Ok, that’s awesome! BUT who is buying fallow deer?? What makes them profitable? Great Questions! Because let’s be honest, they have to make financial sense to raise on a farm. We love animals and if I had the opportunity to have and raise everything as pets I would….. But that is just not how the world works. Farms have to make money to survive and THRIVE. 

Here is how I like to breakdown the four different markets for fallow deer sales:

1. The Breeding Market: These are individuals that want to also raise fallow deer. They purchase animals to build their herds, incorporate new genetics or are buying proven genetic stock/semen to increase their fallow herd’s quality. This market generally places a high emphasis on pedigrees and genetics as they are striving for high quality deer that can produce high quality offspring.  
2. The Hunting Ranch Market: These buyers want to purchase full grown fallow deer to release into their hunting preserves for guided and non-guided hunting opportunities. Many times this is only viewed as a sporting opportunity for hunters when in reality it is another avenue for gathering meat to feed their family. This process differs from the way that beef finds its way to a dinner table, in the sense that generally the folks who seek out the hunting ranches to hunt deer want to be more involved in the process of obtaining meat and providing for their families. They want a greater connection to the animal than simply buying meat off a grocery store shelf. Oftentimes it is a set of antlers on the wall after the animal is harvested that serves to honor the animal, and provides a memory of the experience of the hunt, butchering, and ultimately eating the healthy lean meat that comes from fallow deer. In many cases if the hunter does not want the meat or is unable to transport the meat home safely,  it will be donated to local charities or families by the hunting operation. In fact, in Kansas it is illegal to waste wild game meat after harvesting the animal. Check that out on the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks website. 
3. The Meat Market: These buyers are purchasing fallow deer to butcher for cooking purposes in their restaurants or homes. Fallow deer meat is lean, healthy and delicious. I encourage you to give it a try if you have the chance. 
4. The Antler Shed Market: Each year when the bucks drop or shed their antlers they can be collected and sold by the pound. The buyers of deer antlers are using them in home decor and crafting OR they are used as dog chews. Last I heard these were fetching roughly $15/lb. 

There are many other factors that make raising fallow deer an amazing opportunity. One major highlight is the fact that they are not susceptible to Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) like whitetails and other cervids are. This is HUGE! CWD was devastating when it was identified and the repercussions of having CWD identified within a whitetail/elk/etc herd can still be crippling as rules and regulations have not changed even though new information has come out that it’s not nearly as problematic as they originally thought. Since these regulations have not been changed, there is a risk of losing your entire herd if even one animal tests positive for CWD. 

Fallow deer are also known for their ability to thrive in farm settings, as they make themselves at home and just get comfortable. They are extremely adaptable to many different terrains and environments. Not to mention they are gorgeous creatures. I love that I am able to watch them graze in the pasture while I am sitting on my front porch as my kids play. It is such a blessing to be able to stay home and raise my children to understand how to care for our herd and appreciate wildlife. These are the experiences that really help prepare them for life.    

I understand that it is definitely a commitment to start raising fallow deer. There are some upfront costs to consider, such as building or converting your current farmstead, purchasing equipment and your animals, as well as understanding that most don’t start selling animals until the third or fourth year of operation as they want to grow out their stock to see the genetics at play. It takes a well thought out plan and some equipment/animal upfront investment but the pay off in the end has the potential to be more lucrative and consistent when compared to raising cattle in Kansas. 

Do you think I’m throwing out a crazy idea? (Yeah I kinda thought my husband was too when he suggested this) You don’t have to take my word for it! Just watch the tv show “Deer and Wildlife Stories” on the Pursuit Channel. Keith Warren hosts the show and visits deer farms in the USA and explains the whys of deer farming. I encourage y’all to watch it and learn more about raising fallow deer and other exotic animals.

So, who wants to start raising their own fallow deer herd now??

~The Deer Wife
BRC Fallow Deer