I've never done it before, and I'm considering bringing in some better, typical WT genetics into my 900 ac place and wondering what other have done, and the results. I don't have holding pens and wondering if that is required? Bring in bred does and just 'let them loose'? Young bucks? how many at a time? etc.... Looking for best practices, what others have done that was successful, most economical (I know it won't be "cheap'), etc.... thanks for any insights.

Your actual land/makeup might play a factor. I’ve seen many an idiot, by luck, have 100 acres in the best habitat for antler growth…shoot the most gigantic racks, after several misses with a $4000 gun. They’re just lucky.

You might give Keith Warren "The High Road" a call or drop him a note. He has a lot of contacts in that industry...

I get that. I'm in the hill country, and supplemental feed year round. It's just that I have 'hill country' genetics, and want to add better typicals.

I hate the thought of it, but if you're going to do it, you kill everything currently on the place and start over with what you want. You gotta go whole hog or you run a large risk of watering down what you bring in. Strictly opinion (and things I've read) but I've seen it in livestock.

I'm not THAT serious about growing all my deer that big . I just want to add better / different genetics into the mix. I understand they might become 'diluted', but I'm ok with that. And, if others have done what I'm thinking of doing, I'd be interested in the results!

I have a friend that brought in bred does on their 2000 acre HF place I think 20 total and it hasn’t made a big change.

Other instance I have experience with is a 300 acre place. They brought in 2-3 breeder bucks. Theirs seems to have made a pretty gross difference. However both places are relatively new to HF and management and are both given all the free choice protein and cottonseed they can eat. I’m curious what each place would have been able to produce if just left native with the same intensive management and feed. Unfortunately we will never know. That said I’m not a fan of brought in genetics doubt I would ever do it, but have hunted on places with it no problem as well, no judgment just my preference.

Before ya do anything talk to Keith..that is what I would do.

I wouldn’t talk to that goofball if you paid me.

Just did this a year ago. Sent you a pm.

You must have seen the 50BMG episode.

I concur....seems pretty "squirely" but what the heck do I know.

X 3

I don’t know that I’ve seen anything turn my stomach from a hunting show etc as fast or as bad as that clown.

I've heard the Pursuit Channel is picking up some more winners. 'Could just be a rumor though.

I have wondered about doing this. Do they stay in a general area or do they wander?

They will wander at first, but after a little while they'll settle into a general area. The bucks will wander all over the place during rut though. Does will stay put somewhat.

I will tell you from experience, buy bred does. A buck is only going to cover 2 to 3 does in the wild. The bred doe should proved you 3 deer total. The cost of a buck could allow you to purchase mores does. I suggested doing your research for the genetics you want in the herd. The genetics on both sides are important. The purchase of bred does from different genetic lines will add genetic diversity to your herd. Purchasing a buck is only adding his gentics to the existing herd. The higher the CWD status herd the better.

If you are not HF then it is a total waste of money. Even if you are HF and bring in some without eliminating all the native genetics off your place, the new genetics will wash out quickly.

I don’t know much about the deer industry, but i do know genetics and biology and a couple deer with specfic genetics will be washed clean within just a couple generations, pretty sure there was a research project a few years back that showed the improved genetics were washed within 3 generation’s completely when allowed to freely breed with native genetics off wt deer.

Oh yeah. Stupidest hunting show I’ve ever seen.

I’ve stocked several ranches and imo the only way to make a difference is to more or less eliminate the existing herd.

Adding to the native stuff one time doesent seem to have much of a lasting effext

Not real encouraging news here. What is the price range on bred does? So the benefits of bred does would only be the fawn born?

Consult with Macy Ledbetter.

Bred does are a much better way to go. You get 2-3 deer for the price of one and they keep pumping out fawns.

We paid $3500/bred doe last year. Haven’t bought any this year.

Bucks imo are too fragile, they get in fights and die or rut themselves to death.

My money is always on bred does

You can have very good results shooting off the existing herd and then bringing in bred does and a buck or three, and then you can add some more improved genetics in the following years for increased diversity.


You just have to go all in, bringing in a few bred does or a breeder buck isn’t going to do much for your existing native herd.

Just know you have to have enough to offset/out bred native deer. If you have 50deer, 1-5 ain’t going to do much.

Be best off, going ham on all bucks, for next two years, and then DMP pen for 2-4 years

I guess most are assuming this is HF. I don’t think he said. That would make a huge difference in the answers.