I see them as livestock as well, and agree 100% YooperMike. Pigs, Cows, Goats, chickens,etc are put through far worse and more "cruel" conditions than these pampered deer are. The livestock get exact scientific feed amounts, rarely stray from the pens/lots they reside in, are a dead animal walking as soon as they take their first breath, and are put down by everything from a head shot to electricity.

These deer on the other hand are treated better than the king of england. They are pampered, nurtured, plucked, fattened, primed, and then sent to a 400 acre play lot to then be put down by a big bad "hunter" with a wallet that allows him to buy such a specimen. Same end result as the cow....I think where most people have gripe with this, is when it is compared to being equal to hunting wild animals, by people such as Keith Warren...often times even hidden from the public to appear wild. Noot cool IMO either, but to hate deer breeders, is absurd.

These deer/elk breeders are in a livestock business just the same as a cattle farmer, their animals are just worth more. What is the big deal?

Its no big deal until some fatbutt, lazy, greasy slick haired guy from Ohio takes one within an enclosure using a high power rifle and then tries to pawn it off as shooting it fair chase with a bow[:'(].

You ever seen a high fence deer? when they get to that size, there is usually no mistaking them from wild deer. The biggest wild deer ever killed, even bucks like hole in the horn, can't pass for big high fence deer. There is just a different look to them. Hard to explain unless you have seen a lot of them, which I have. One of my dad's best friends owns a high fence operation, and I've spent lots of time there just checking out the racks and fishing in his trout pond. None of those top end deer would EVER pass for a wild animal.
With all the jealousy in the hunting world these days, I pity the fool that is unfortunate enough to kill the next world record, or potential record-sized animal. That guy will have just shot his worst nightmare.

My brother in law owns Triple C Trophy Whitetails. Google it and you can learn a bit about it. he is one of my best friends but this is something we don't see eye to eye on. He sells deer. He sells deer semen. He "leases" does for bucks from other farms to breed. It is all about $$$. This is a business. The business of raising bigger deer than the next guy. I won't hunt his deer. He doesn't yet allow them to be shot,(NOT HUNTING IMHO), on his land. He will purchase 16 more acres and then sell "hunts". It looks like a can to me! He has invited me to hunt high fence enclosures belonging to customers of his. I won't do it, its just not for me. I could surely have bigger deer on my wall but there would be no glory or satisfaction in them so why bother.

I agree with this 100%. If someone wants to buy and sell deer as livestock, then I have no problem with that. What I do have a problem with are the people that will shoot one that cannot get away and then brag about their success and tell stories about stalking it in the wild, etc. If someone just wants to shoot a monster deer though, more power to them. It just comes down to an honestyissue I guess.

I can tell you that the ranches that are high fenced that I have fimed have been 500 acres or larger. In most areas, you never see the fence once you pass inside. These operations have a high degree of management much pass the "see it, shoot it" mindset of many so called "fair chase" hunts.

With today's world, hunting and other outdoor activites is a business. Pure and simple. In business, you have a product, you price that product due to market value and willingness to pay.

On a side note, allowing a deer to reach a mature age is fine in my book. I don't care were it lives.

I look at it this way - its something id never consider , but as stated by others its simply a business. These people recognized there was a market for guys that had plenty of money and not plenty of time and they simply connected the dots. Instead of them spending an entire year or more for that matter scouting , patterning and hunting some bohemith. They fence em up cash changes hands , and a trophy is taken. Is it right or wrong thats really for none of us to judge , is it ? These hosts you see on t.v. are on there killing these huge deer , and maybe it sparks the interest of a few guys to pursue bowhunting ? Thats sorta how i started in 2005 , they like i did will quickly figure out that the back 40 isnt a nature preserve like was on t.v. and things dont work like they did on there. And so it begins for them like it did for me - thats when the fun started ! Trying to figure deer out etc. Hell i didnt have anyone to ask questions to when i started i never even saw a deer my first season ! To each his own ! Boy i need to get out on some yotes or somethin ive been on here for two days ramblin !

I think the Red says it all! Some will do anything for a Big Buck including but not limited to pay lots of Cha Ching!

When there is money to be made, somebody will figure out how to collect. Now Mr. X has his 10 to 15 G trophy buck

IMO Sad!!

Dan

I'm Not for High Fence hunts. I have never done one, nor will I ever, but just curious How many of you know anything about one?

I have a friend that guides on a high fence operation and it is far from what I imagined. That said I still wouldn't do it.

It was interesting for me to find out a Local goes out there every year and gets his trophy to put in his Big Ol' trophy room.

Whoopee![:'(]

Dan

Yes I've seen high fenced deer. I am also not jealous of what buck anyone else shoots, but don't expect me to high-five anyone who shoots one within such an enclosure that was bred as livestock and then released to be shot. Big difference between that and a high fence operation that does at least have wild deer. Anyone willing to pay $12,000 or whatever for a big buck to shoot at most times are getting a guaranteed kill.