Then what happens? Do they live in pens forever?
Yes. We live on the side of a mountain and Jeff's parents are our only neighbors. The fencing for the pen stretches way into the woods. There's lots of trees and a stream runs through it and lots of room to run around. And we built a sheltered aea that we pile with hay to help keep them warm in the winter. Sean Buck is so tame he would walk right up to a hunter looking for treats and petting. And he's got a beautiful rack...It would be like "Here I am hunter! Shoot me!"
~ Stephanie
How did you get started doing this? I don't mean to offend you, but...I guess I just don't get it. I guess I would understand keeping like, one deer that you had to rescue or something, but then breeding them and keeping them in captivity I don't understand. Maybe I'm just not getting it?
No offense taken
Jeff had a friend that raised whitetail deer and he decided to buy a female fawn from him. This was about 8 years ago, long before I met him. He raised her and then bought a buck when she was mature. Nature took it's course from there. There's no specific reason we have them, they are just pets.
I guess they are considered exotic, we need permits to have them and the Game Commission has to give their approval of the pen, food, and shelter and they make sure that we have regular vet visits.
I had never heard of keeping deer as pets before I met him, but since I moved here, I have met and heard about several people who have them. I guess it's a fairly common thing in this part of PA.
~ Stephanie
