Buck Saver Deer Handler

Watch this video to see the new Buck Saver Deer Handler that is already revolutionizing the way we handle deer.

The Buck Saver Deer Handler is a revolutionary new method for handling deer.  It was developed by Russ Bellar, owner of X-Factor.  Russ has had the unfortunate experience, like many of us, of losing valuable deer because of complications from traditional tranquilization methods.  A study on red deer in South America revealed that traditional tranquilizers compromise immune system response for 30 days following tranquilizing.  If our expensive whitetails don't die during the process, we worry about complications that follow.  The longer the deer is down, the greater the risk of aspiration of rumenal fluids.  Even leaving deer off feed overnight doesn't eliminate the risk.  Some vets have required as much as 36 hours off feed.

Russ decided to take a proactive approach to prevent the risk while collecting semen.  He worked with two of my Amish friends, Raymond and David Graber, to design and build a handler that a buck can be collected in by converting to a table.  A simple idea that makes me slap my head and say, "Why didn't I think of that".  It's not that unusual for Russ though because he's a person that thinks outside the box. 

Russ worked with Harry Latshaw who has many years of animal anesthesia experience at Purdue University. He developed an apparatus to administer gas to deer.  Russ incorporated this into his handler system.  As the video shows, the buck is sedated quickly, the work is done safely to collect him and the buck wakes up quickly when the mask is removed.  Russ timed the process after removing the mask.  He said from the time the gas is removed the animals are in their pens in 3 minutes with no signs of having been sedated.  Russ considers this new method safe and proves it by several trials using the world record X-Factor.

I have to complement the entire team on their work.  In my opinion, this will revolutionize the way deer are handled. Presently, if I have a deer with foot rot, I try shooting a Draxxin dart to clear it up.  I hesitate tranquilizing animals, especially if the immune system is suppressed with tranquilizer drugs.  I don't want to create a poor immune system response for a sick deer that needs to be functioning at peak efficiency.  I won't delay active treatment in the handler with this new system.  It will be so simple to run a deer in, give it the gas and perform anything that needs to be done even something as simple as hoof trimming.  Imagine how easy it will be to take better care of our animals without the fears we presently have. 

Come see us at the NADeFA Convention in March in Nashville.  See how this new handler can benefit you.  Russ will be in the booth with me to discuss its operation.  We'll have mounts of X-Factor too!!  Come see us up front in Booth 201.

E-mail Me for information on this revolutionary method of deer handling and X-Factor semen sales.

Whitetail Rack Ranch fawn edema

We have had problems with this little guy and his brother off and on since they were born.  We found both of them in the pen and didn't appear that they had nursed.  Both were premature and weak.  Their front legs bent backwards at the joint and they couldn't stand without assistance.  We immediately took them in and gave them colostrum.  This one is Heat Stroke.  My wife, Annette, gave him the name because when he could finally walk he would wobble around the yard until he got tired and collapse.  He would often be hot in in full sun.  Once when she found him he had convulsions.  She said he must have had a heat stroke, thus his name.  She would often pick him up, limp, with his head drooping and drooling. 

We've had conversations with Dr. Chris Sullivan, at Sullivan Veterinary Clinic as we were recently treating Heat Stroke for diarrhea.  He would look great and then have health issues like pneumonia or diarrhea.  We'd turn him around and then have problems again.  Dr. Chris and I think it's because they never got colostrum before we gave it to them.  We check the pens daily for new fawns but the first 12 hours is critical.

The swelling in this picture is edema, a swelling cause by fluid trapped under the skin.  This picture is typical of a large parasite load.  We had a fecal sample run but it didn't show parasites were exceptionally heavy.  We had wormed him with Ivomec and Safeguard within the last month.  Since he did show 2 strongyles, Dr. Chris suggested we worm him again with Cydectin.  We always worm for more than one day.  You should ask your vet but I usually worm at twice the cattle dose for 3 days.  Deer have a higher metabolism rate than cattle and I want to make sure they keep the drug in their system long enough to work.

Heat Stroke's edema could have been from parasites but since the load was not severe I think it may have been because of his lack of nutrient uptake from the diarrhea.  He may have poor immune system response because of his lack of colostrum at birth. 

We finally got the diarrhea under control using Arrest.  We used Banamine for inflammation in the gut on a limited basis.  He had 104.1 fever one day and the Banamine had it down to normal the next.  Talk to your vet before using Banamine about the complications from stomach irritation.  He finally got to the point he would not eat.  We lost his brother a couple of days earlier with the same symptoms.  Dr. Chris had me give Heat Stroke one dose of Dexamethasone and some B-12.  He said it would stimulate his appetite.  Dexamethasone can cause immune system compromise from multiple doses so weigh the options with your vet.  It took about 48 hours but Heat Stroke started eating voraciously!  I gave him Karo syrup and some molasses.  His edema was gone the next day.  His stool had started firming up but the Karo and molasses loosened him up again for about a day.  He's going pellets now and has gained weight.  We may always have trouble with him but he's turned the corner from death again.  Being bottle fed makes him easier to handle.  He'll come out of the handler and stand there for you to pet him. 

Hope this gives you some ideas if you have similar problems.

NADeFA National Convention, March 2011

X-Factor displayed at the NADeFA convention  March 17-19, 2011.  The convention will be held at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel and Convention Center in Nashville, TN.  Well on his way to becoming the most famous deer in history, we will have a replica mount of the 2010 world record whitetail, X-Factor on display.  We've been working with Russ Bellar selling X-Factor's semen nationwide.  We will also be unveiling a revolutionary concept in deer handling with the Buck Saver Deer Handler.  Come by our Whitetail Rack Ranch booth #201 up front directly across from the antler competition.  You won't want to miss X-Factor.  It's the next best thing to seeing him in person.  I've been 15 feet from him in his pen and he will give you buck fever!!!  We'll be looking forward to your visit.  Bring your camera and get a picture with him.

Sullivan Veterinary Clinic in Winnsboro, Louisiana

I've worked with several veterinarians in Louisiana when the need arises for managing the health of my whitetails.  I recently had my first experience with Dr. Chris Sullivan, DVM at Sullivan Veterinary Clinic in Winnsboro, Louisiana.  I was pleasantly surprised with the attention I received in assisting me with two sick fawns.  I've had veterinarians that have been willing to help but they just didn't have experience with whitetails.  Dr. Chris not only has some deer familiarity but he has a great contact to assist him.  His brother, Brad Sullivan, owns Sullivan Whitetail Ranch near Dallas, TX.  Brad has a large breeding operation raising some great whitetails, but more importantly for me, he has a wealth of knowledge and experience.  Dr. Chris consults with Brad on cases that may be complicated.  Having a veterinarian close by is important but expertise with deer health issues is another qualification you should look for.  With so few veterinarians in Louisiana having knowledge of white-tailed deer, I highly recommend seeking your health care needs from Dr. Sullivan.  Contact information is:

 

Sullivan Veterinary Clinic

6355 Hwy. 4
Winnsboro, Louisiana 71295

Mailing Address: P.O. Box 789

Phone: 318-435-4585
Fax: 318-435-7965
Email: info@sullivanvet.com
website: www.sullivanvet.com