I started a new project about a year ago and thought their might be an interest on PB forum.

Tentmaker Farm's high fence was completed in July of 2006. An effort was made during deer season to eliminate any native deer. At least 6 native does were not harvested. Two 1350# Big Horn protein feeders were added in December. Forms were completed and with permits granted by TP&WL; 15 impregnated South Texas does were delivered in February of 2007. Five Axis deer 2 males & 3 females were delivered in March along with five Blackbuck antelope ( 3M & 2 F). Fawns are expected within the next couple of weeks.

I thought if their was any interest we might get a Wildlife Management heading going.

Thanks, David

id love to see a wildlife heading. fish are only 1/2 the animals that use our ponds.

I like it but don't do the management that you are tackling. Mine is mostly food plots with low fences. The only REAL management that I do is try to control poaching.

TF,

How big is your place and what are your carrying capacity goals?


Do you lease out or is this for your own personal enjoyment?

I have food plots and feeders but dont have enough land to affect our deer herd. I am feeding the heck out of the local hog population - that needs to stop.

Gator

I would enjoy a Wildlife heading as that is where half of my efforts are targeted. Tentmaker, who built your fence and how many acres did you enclose. Thanks.

Total acreage high fenced 352. Rudy's Fencing out of Meridian Texas installed 18,500 ft. of fence. Ultimate goal -- 60 whitetail deer -- 30 axis deer -- 30 blackbuck antelope -- ratio of 1 male to 1 female on all species. The property will not be leased out,for personal use and plan to have a youth hunting & fishing program.

David
WOW!
Our goals are so close it's almost unbelieveable. What kind of wire did you use (fencing). I am having 'clog' problems with my Bighorn's. I just drilled more holes in spout bottoms.
al

The fence is Bekaert solidlock green lable spec.-- 2096-6-12.5 ga. I have not had many clog problems with the feeders they are the LP-1350# model.

"Bekaert solidlock green lable"
You did it first-class! My Bighorns are NOT LPs. The next one will be. Frankly, my deer are not eating the protein. Last year, at this time it was 7-800lbs. a week. This year they are utilizing the Bundleflower and soybeans.

Man oh man...you guys are in a league all your own. What a spectacular project for both T-Farm and Ahvatsa. I can't believe the enormity of installing 3-1/2 miles of high quality, tall fencing, let alone all the necessary support facets required to make it function. Mind boggling; looking forward to details and updates.

"Mind boggling"
Brettski
Not really so...at about $3.75 a foot, it only hurts for a while

These are projects beyond what most of us have ever imagined. I can't imagine the scope. Hats off to you guys for putting in the effort. Not trying to be critical but I think the topic of "wildlife management" really doesn't apply here, it should perhaps be called "game farm management" or something like that. I think what you guys are doing is managing game in an enclosed area while to me wildlife management would be more like the management of a naturally occuring free moving population such as when people do food plots and habitat management. What you are doing is probably a lot harder. I think they both have their place and are interesting topics.

At 1 animal per every 3 acres, I suspect you have a hefty supplemental feeding program - what can you share about your feeding program?

Also 3.5 mikes of fence sounds low - did you fence the whole place? What is the shape of the property?

Still just curious...thanks.

: )

Gator

Tentmaker Farm installed 18,500 feet or about 5 miles of fence. 4 miles of fence in a square format = 1 sq mile. 1 sq mile = 640 acres.

Everything seems to fit, Alligator.

GW, thanks - dont know where I got 3.5 miles of fence.

Gator

PS 3.5 or 5 - whats a mile and a half between friends????

I found this neat website for converting measurements. I keep it saved in my links for quick reference.

Dang! They can even handle furlongs per fortnight!

Don't miss page 2. You can convert gigajoules to kilocalories.

(edit) A+ for Gee-dub in math class; no detention. Volunteer work available as the towel boy for the girl's swim team.

Oops. I have drain bamage. I fixed the mistake and it still works out.

Thanks guys, I think the truth lies in the shape of the property and you both are correct!

: )