Balls on Ice: How Far Can Deer Breeding Go?

Posted At : May 15, 2012 9:35 AM | Posted By : Mike Hanback
Related Categories: Big Deer Blog

This is the gist of the story from JR Absher:

After Mike Toney shot and killed a massive Illinois preserve buck in November, he put its testicles on ice and drove to the LSU AgCenter's research station in Clinton, La., where its semen was extracted using a new technique and frozen in liquid nitrogen. Since then, 16 does were inseminated with the semen and six became pregnant. According to an AP article, LSU attorneys are investigating if the process may be patented and licensed.

This is so far removed from the real world of deer hunting that you and I love so, I really don't know what to say. So what do you say?

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Well.....I guess he might pay for his hunt and then some !!...Rich get richer lol....I am sure preserves will put a stop to that practice!

# Posted By parrish | 5/15/12 9:55 AM

I volunteer to put mine on ice after death with the hopes of impregnating several young ladies with the potenial new "World Record Hunter"

# Posted By BigDaddy | 5/15/12 10:13 AM

Don't really know what to say. I don't like that fact that they are simply impregnating does to produce super bucks, but if LSU is doing it for research I don't suppose that is such a huge crime. Maybe they'll uncover something new that will show people that antler growth has more to do than just a buck and does pedigree?

# Posted By Dean Weimer | 5/15/12 10:19 AM

If Toney is simply a hunter and not an owner of the preserve, I think that the preserve might have something to say about making a profit off of "their" genetics. The preserve owners/breeders typically are the ones to have rights and make money off of the sperm/offspring. If this works, I think preserves will begin requiring the testicles to stay at the preserve.

On a separate note, as it relates to hunting, this is a completely different activity. Deer farming is just that, and should not be confused with hunting. There is a big push by the QDMA, ironically, to outlaw deer farming in several southern states, I believe. I think it has it's place for those that want to do it.

# Posted By David in NC | 5/15/12 10:58 AM

I wonder how long it took the owners of these preserves to tell their guides to be sure and remove the "genetic material" from every
"Frankendeer" killed by their clients after this story became known?

# Posted By jjas | 5/15/12 11:44 AM

An old girlfriend's dad threatened to do that to me once. I thought he was just pissed. Maybe he was trying to capitalize on my striking good looks & superior genteics!

# Posted By Curt | 5/15/12 11:50 AM

Crazy what some people will do these days. Not really a lot to say but Mike I thought the start of the title of the post was hilarious "balls on ice...."

# Posted By Matt Oliver | 5/15/12 12:09 PM

what a joke! whatever they do, don't call it hunting!!!!!

# Posted By Jon - WI | 5/15/12 1:08 PM

let nature make'em big!!!!!!!

But That Is One HUGE BUCK

# Posted By Craig C | 5/15/12 1:13 PM

Deer breeding and preserve hunting are big businesses. But as a deer hunter, I would rather not ever know or hear about these kind of practices. I can't afford nor would I want to take part in this activity. The hunt is worth way more than the antlers on a very personal level. Where I hunt I would hvae to shoot 4 bucks to get the same number of antler inches as that monster, but I am totally fine with that Instead of spending $40,000 I would instead have 4 great years of hunting.

# Posted By Derek from ND | 5/15/12 2:09 PM

"Whatever" is all i have to say. If its legal and thats what they want to do than whatever. To each there own

# Posted By Scott from MI | 5/15/12 6:11 PM

I suspect that selling the "genetics" would violate laws in most states. For instance it is illegal to sell bear gallbladders in 42 states. Those laws usually prohibit the selling of body parts that are not trophies.

# Posted By Lance | 5/16/12 3:22 AM

People are crazy.

Curt, I
Haven't been on here in a while. I've missed your sense of humor. Well done!!

# Posted By Cody | 5/16/12 12:07 PM

Nothing new here... This process has been around a long time and its been happening in all kinds of animal husbandry operations. They even do it with humans. Curt you better start sleeping on your stomach... LOL !

The only thing new here is the story.

BTW... I don't refer to killing farm animals as hunting, its called "Slaughtering".

# Posted By fred | 5/16/12 12:57 PM

For however this story plays out, this guy has given me a new meaning to "haulin' balls." I'd rather attempt to improve quality of the native deer on the properties I hunt on. If you're herd is scraggly give some minerals and food plots a try, you might be surprised how far a little deer management will go.

# Posted By Z.D. Stovall | 5/17/12 1:22 AM

First of all...PEOPLE read article again.. LSU is doing RESEARCH...Money is not involved, come on......And as for Ranchers keeping the semen sacks... I don't think so...If the hunter pays the money for the kill.. The BUCK.. then it's ALL OR NOTHING .... I guess if you are the Rancher and doing something illegal or messing with Mother Nature than I guess you would be upset/feel threatened. And "BALLS ON ICE"...That's a classic comment...

# Posted By Valerie | 5/20/12 12:37 AM

# Posted By Valerie | 5/20/12 12:38 AM

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