GMMAT's thread got me thinking and I did some quick research on the net. I wondered how many deer breeders and High Fence operations were in Iowa. I figured most of the folks here are down to earth hard working dirt famers. Much to my surprise, there are over 100 whitetail breeders and at least one high fence operation. One ranch was all I found listed, but I know there used to be several other "exotic hunting clubs" (that's what they called themselves) out there.

In the long term, what happens when one of these deer who were born, bred and lived all their life in captivity gets loose? Would they have the natural instinct to stay alive if they lived through the hunting season?