Wildlife Farming & Ranching
Traditional views about wildlife farming and ranching often include images of large game species being raised for hunting. However, wildlife producers today are raising everything from buffalo to baitfish and bees to butterflies. These animals may be native (they are found naturally in the area) or exotic (they are not found naturally in the area). Producers raise wildlife for a variety of products, services, and markets. Some of these include meat and other products (such as fur), and stock for zoos, hunting preserves, private collectors, research programs, and restocking or enhancing of natural populations.
As with any enterprise, a thorough evaluation of your farming goals and an assessment of costs and potential markets for wildlife products should be conducted before you start a wildlife farming or ranching enterprise. Also, there may be special laws and permitting procedures that need to be factored into your planning. Below are several links to help you explore the potential for wildlife farming and ranching as an alternative small farm enterprise.
General Information
UF/IFAS Publications
- Big Game Ranching in the United States by Ronald White, 1986. (book) ISBN 0915249030
- The Ecology & Economics of Florida's Ranches
State & Federal Agencies
Other University Sites
Laws, Regulations & Permits
UF/IFAS Publications
State & Federal Agencies
- Division of Animal Industry--FDACS
- Online Permits and License Applications--Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission (FWC)
- Statutes and Rules--Division of Animal Industry/FDACS
- U.S. State and Territory Animal Import Regulations--USDA/APHIS
Marketing
See Small Farm Development: Marketing for more information.
UF/IFAS Publications
State & Federal Agencies
- Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS)--USDA
- Direct Marketing Today: Challenges and Opportunities--USDA (pdf)
- Florida Market Bulletin--FDACS
Other University Sites
Organizations & Associations
Individual Species
Alligators
UF/IFAS Publications
State & Federal Agencies
Bees
See Other Enterprises: Beekeeping.
Birds
UF/IFAS Publications
Other University Sites
Organizations & Associations
Bison
State & Federal Agencies
Butterflies
Other University Sites
- North American Butterfly Association
- Backyard Wildlife Habitat Program--National Wildlife Federation
Fish
See Freshwater Aquaculture & Farm Ponds for more information.
UF/IFAS Publications
- Alternative Opportunities for Small Farms: Catfish Production Review
- Production of Ornamental Aquarium Fish
State & Federal Agencies
Other University Sites
Organizations & Associations
Insects
Organizations & Associations
Ostrich
State & Federal Agencies
Other University Sites
Rabbits
See Livestock: Rabbits.
Ungulates
Other University Sites
- International Deer Industry Information--American University
- Potential Profits from Wildlife--University of Arizona (pdf)
Organizations & Associations
Related Links
- Adam’s Ranch, Inc.
- Brady Ranch in South Florida
- Deer, Elk, and Reindeer Farmers’ Network
- Elk Breeders
- 4-M Ranch
Water Buffalo
Organizations & Associations
Worms
See Other Enterprises: Worms for more information.
UF/IFAS Publications
- Return to Wildlife & Hunting
UF/IFAS Sites
UF/IFAS Publications
- Economic Value of Wildlife
- Environmental Volunteer Programs
- Habitat Restoration
- Landscaping for Wildlife
- Management and Conservation of Wildlife
- Observing and Monitoring Wildlife
- Water for Wildlife
- Wildlife and Agriculture
- Wildlife and Hunting as Alternative Farm Enterprises
- Wildlife by Species
- Wildlife Education
- Wildlife Forages for North Florida: Cool Season Food Plots
- Supplemental Feeding and Food Plots for Bobwhite Quail
- A Walk on the Wild Side: 2006-2007 Cool Season Forage Recommendations for Wildlife Food Plots in North Florida
- Wildlife Topics
State & Federal Agencies
- Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS)
- Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission (Florida FWC)
- National Wildlife Research Center
- Patuxent Wildlife Research Center
- U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
Other University Sites
Organizations & Associations
- Florida Audubon Society
- Master Wildlifer
- National Audubon Society
- National Wildlife Federation
- The Nature Conservancy
- Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation
- Project WILD
- Quality Deer Management Association
- Sierra Club
- Society for Conservation Biology
- United States World Wildlife Fund
- The Wildlife Society
- The Wildlife Society: Florida Chapter
- The World Conservation Union
- Wildlife Conservation Society
- National Wild Turkey Federation
