Does anyone here on THF have experience raising or working with Muntjac Deer in a pasture/semi-wild environment (non-pen raised)? I'm only aware of two places in Texas that have Muntjac in this type of enclosure. If I recall correctly, Priour Ranch has a 75 acre enclosure with Muntjac and Hog Deer, and then Morani River Ranch I've heard has about 35 acres for their Muntjac.

I've always had a soft spot for Muntjac and wanted to raise them in a ranch/self-sustaining environment. I'm well aware of the challenges with predators, so no need to spend time discussing that (the proposed area where they might be raised would be a high fenced enclosure within another high fenced enclosure, both equipped with predator wire and other predator control methods). I feel like 50-100 acres in East Texas would be adequate for the little guys. I'm also wondering what other small species might be compatible with Muntjac....thinking Hog Deer, Chinese Water Deer, one of the species of Duiker or Dik-Dik (if you could find them), Thompson's Gazelle, Persian Gazelle.

Any thoughts or observations?

Sounds like a challenging but potentially rewarding undertaking. I love the Grants and the Dama Gazelle myself. Good Luck

All you have todo is call me. We can talk to the only people who let their munt jac run freely on the ranch!

I've hunted muntjac in the UK and they're frequently found in the same areas as chinese water deer. So I'm pretty certain they're compatible. But I do recall one of my guides telling me that cold weather and snow can really knock the numbers back. The big question in my mind is if there's any money in them. I know the UK is literally half-a-world away, but they're really cheap over there. A big gold medal of either species is $1K tops. Most of them are closer to $300-400. I'd focus on the African antelope if it were me. Seems like there's a lot more money in them.

Not interested in doing it for the money....this is purely for personal enjoyment. But for the record....Muntjac bring about $2,500-$3,500 here in Texas from what I've seen.

Yep. About 3-4 years ago you could buy muntjac all day long for $300.

For a modest stipend I'll stay out of muntjac after you buy in at premium prices....

HA!!

Then cara cara and eagles started carrying them off.