Bought 7 acres recently and the back 1/3 of lot has alot of deer that come to area. Was thinking of enclosing the full 7 acres to get ag exemption and raise goats or cows, or something that will keep deer there. Anyone have experience if the goats or cows drive deer off, i don't want to hurt my chances at deer hunting. I was initially thinking of going with goats, but then would probably have to get a donkey to keep coyotes off, and that would probably be too much for deer i'm guessing. Maybe cows are the ticket, or raising something else to get Ag Tax exemption on land. Hay is out since there are too many trees. Any thoughts on something to raise to get an Ag tax exemption, and keep deer/hogs coming in greatly appreciated.

Cows. Goats and deer compete for the same food. Can you get an exemption for such a small parcel?

Check on bee hives. Have heard several people doing this on small parcels like you have.

in dry times the 7 acres will not support very many, keep it as is for deer, the bees are a good idea

Bees would seem to be easier and less costly if that would work, hmmmmmmm........

Great idea....sweeter result too....

There are regs out on how many acres are allowed per animal. Any living structure with land around it is exempt from ag exemption. Just my 2cents

Not sure I follow. How much land around a house is exempt from ag exemption?

Check with your county tax office. They will be able to give you all the requirements.

The amount of land needed to qualify for an ag exemption varies from county to county. Seven acres will be hard to get to qualify. They usually count at least an acre for a house, maybe more depending on how it looks from the road. Don't be surprised if you can't get an exemption. And don't plan on doing much hunting on seven acres.

I go for Goats. But that is just me. All kidding aside if there is a house on it usually 2 acres is what is taken off the total.

If you can get an exemption, you might look at a wildlife exemption instead of an Ag exemption. You have to have an approved wildlife management plan and keep up with things like water availability, food plots, predator control,cover maintenance, wildlife census, etc. May be easier than raising goats or cattle and have a positive impact on your deer population. Most counties I am aware of require at least 10 acres to qualify for either Ag or wildlife.

i think it has to be ag before it goes to wildlife in most counties.

God point. I think you are right.

I would also check with your county on how many acres are required to hunt. I know Medina County now wants 10 acres for any kind of hunting, bow or rifle.

6 hives for first 5 acres then a hive for additional 2 acres for a max exemption of 15 acres for apiary. There's a lot involved in it and the appraisal district can smell foul a mile away...

yep, has to be ag first before converting over to wildlife improvement (at least in the 4 counties I am familiar with).

if you want deer, NO goats!!!

I got two doe that have twins in the 10 acres I have penned off for the goats right now... they play with the kids... but I have 30more to hunt on... if I only had the 10 I would just pay the taxes and shoot deer.

some counties allow fruit trees to qualify for ag exempt.

I would just pay the taxes. It can't be that much.

Chickens will get it done. Put up a sign and sell eggs. You just have to go at it with the intent to make money. Put in a small chicken coop and sell some eggs.

Thanks everyone, good info here!

It is not that easy.

does anyone know off hand how much the tax deduction is in most counties, 10%, 20%, or more? i'm trying in Denton county, where you have to have for 5 years before getting the actual deduction on property taxes

With ag-exempt, you pay taxes on the PRODUCTION VALUE (instead of the normal land value);
for example, if your land is worth 100k, but produces 3k worth of hay per year, you pay the normal tax rate times the 3k (instead of the 100k)
It's not calculated as a 'deduction', but would be like 90% or more off !

Is it fenced in ? fence can cost lotta $ . g