Thanks to (some say) well founded fears of chronic wasting disease (CWD), the practice of "farm raising" Cervid (Mule/Whitetail deer, Elk, Caribou, etc) is quickly going by the way-side...and has been for several years. Monitoring herds has simply become too expensive and too much of a pain in the ass to make it profitable. Here's a link to a nice little article outlining just a -few- of the hoops owners of Cervid herds in Minnesota must endure.
http://mn.gov/bah/animals/deer-elk/cervid-faq.htmlIn 2009 CWD was found in a (farm raised) Elk herd outside of Rochester MN (
http://mn.gov/bah/animals/deer-elk/cervid-faq.html )...and I believe I read somewhere that it was also discovered in a herd in Michigan. In instances like this the herd is put under quarantine and possibly put to death...not good if you're trying to make money selling meat from these animals.
Your best bet might be to locate a source of venison raised in New Zealand, where the disease is not present...I would suggest starting at Jungle Jim's. Otherwise you'll have to harvest your own...and if I may be so bold, I recommend the new Ruger American Rifle...100% American made and -extremely- accurate. I've got one in 30.06 with a 3x9 Nikon scope and the last time I had it out (using Federal Premiums, loaded with 180 grains of Nosler Partions at a smokin hot 2950 feet per second) I was shooting 3 shot groups you could cover with a quarter...from 100 yards.
