THE ECKERT PLAN

  He's not a "perfect typical", but he's a perfectly typical whitetail! Symmetrical rack, with single brows, upright tines, inward sweeping beams, mostly typical with a few extras ("normal abnormals" such as split G's, the odd sticker, and a slight drop)…basically what we immediately envision when someone mentions the word "whitetail." The king James version of a whitetail, however, is more in line with what the majority of hunters imagine while they're waiting for a "normal" whitetail to show up 186", tall tines, and wide… no need for more details than that! The king James version of a whitetail is also what the majority of deer farmers (again with antler preference set aside) would agree to be the "standard whitetail"…considering of course, every available antler detail and all the genetic perks. Note firstly, that this is a yearling… a yearling with up to 9" brows, 11 1/2- 12 1/8" G2's, heavy 11-11 1/2" G3's, 6-7" G4's, 20 3/4-21 1/4" beams (after broken tips), and an 18+" inside spread. Now note the genetic factors at work. One year ago, Silverking (sire of Kin James) was on the front cover of Deer Tracking and was also the example used in a feature article, "King of the beauty beams" (frontal drops) are not only genetic, but exceptionally inheritable in this family tree. Couple the amazingly similar "look" that is passed on along with the antler enhancements of Silverking (291" @ 2 yrs, 196 6/8" typical frame, 27 1/2" inside, main beams over 25", up to 13 1/2" tines with attractive extras on a spectacularly symmetrical rack) and it's easy to understand a concluding remark that "the King of beauty beams would likely reign with even greater strength then his sire". That statement is ringing true with King James, one of only three yearling silverking sons in 2008, showing the same beauty beam traits as his sire. They also share the same deep-fork G2's, long and mostly typical tines, and a tendency toward a wide flat frame. It seems young "James" is indeed heir to the throne and about to establish his own dynasty.

  It was only in the fall of 2006 that Paul and Dana Eckert's proposed Michigan deer farm was approved. Figuring that Gary Edwards (Thunder Bay Whitetails, MI) with his exceptional production record, would be sold out by fall, Paul had purchased five does in June( and a yearling buck). One was a Thunder grand-daughter and four were double bred Son-Of-the-Gun (Buckwheat Line) does. Paul wanted "really good does" right from the start. Gary, admirably concerned more about his customers than the check and not knowing Paul well enough to know how well he could stand risk or if he'd "stick with it", replied. "I'll sell you good does and you can make your own great does." Thus, the five young does, coming up to their second breeding with no known sons, were purchased. The does were to be AI'd along with Gary's and since the Eckert's new deer farming venture was a family idea, Paul personalized the experience for his children. Under Dad's guidance, daughter Keisha (13 yrs) and son Kyle (15 yrs) would invest some of their savings picking one straw each from the "GeneSource" catalogue." Kyle, more "into" this deer farming than his sister, really liked LoneWood. Keisha choose SilverKing. Paul picked RoldGold, Barry Bonds, and Soaring Eagle. Gary had that "feeling for genetics" and would select the recipient does. The Thunder line doe would get SilverKing, while he knew "the Son-of-The-Gun does would do well with anything."
AI day arrived and an eager but nervous Paul Wanted to be in on it and learn. Paul's Job was to read tag numbers and call them out. Terry (Gary's wife) managed the records. Things rolled along smoothly until somewhere in the mix "one doe started going crazy," her chaotic jumps, falls, and awful landings, Paul somehow read and yelled out "Yellow 62!'' He knew this kind of stress was bad at anytime, but especially regarding AI conception and in the middle of all those thoughts of animal risk and high priced semen, Terry replied, "Oh that’s your Paul!" Paul, groaning at least on the inside asked, " what semen's going in?" Terry checked her records again. "oh, that’s Keisha's!" What are the chances? Well, the timing was right and the very first fawn ( a big single) born on Eckert's new farm, (June 7, 2007) was King James! What a beginning! By fall the young monarch displayed 2" spikes and when Gary, once again lending a hand to the new deer farmer, grabbed those spikes he declared, "this one's going to be special!" Spring 2008 rolled around and as the season progressed so, too did the excitement level around the farm. Paul, with that refreshing eagerness of a young deer farmer, repeatedly called Gary with updates, questions, and predictions. Gary's cautious advice was, "Don’t get too excited. Just wait." Past that certain point, however, the veteran admitted "Okay, he is going to be big!" 4-5" brows with beams not yet out to the ears was a good start. By May, he was out to the ears! The early grower just kept on going and through July the tine length came on strong with brows up to 9" and four tines 11-12+''. Avoiding unnecessary darting's, King James was left in hard horn for six weeks (until semen drawing) and proceeded to wear away the inches. Broken tips and tines totaled 6-7" and yet the final score was over 180''!" No wonder Paul was a nervous wreck on the big "draw day." An experienced big game hunter, Paul still exclaims, "shooting a 60 1/2" moose and a 8 1/2' grizzly weren't anything compared to darting King James!"But the draw went well and the good natured buck ( a 25-30' non bottle fed) remains in excellent health.

THE "HISTORY" OF KING JAMES

The King James Version Of A Whitetail

  " I bought ten more straws of Silverking at the 2007 Top 30 before King James was even born!" declared the relatively new deer farmer."Why Silverking?" I queried. The natural, matter-of-fact reply was immediate. "He looks like a whitetail should!" Hmmm"…like a whitetail should"… Now that’s a controversial phrase! It was used however, without contempt for other opinions, but with air of simple and sincere honesty. With the same simplicity and honesty, every deer farmer would do well to periodically re-examine that phrase. One of the whitetail's most alluring traits is that every set of antlers ever grown is unique, yet industry places ever greater emphasis on preserving the whitetail "look."
What is this standard whitetail "look" that so mysteriously escapes clear definition and how can a standard allow an appreciation for variance? putting personal preference aside, every one that knows anything about whitetails can visualize the "standard look" of a whitetail. Each such image will be unique, but each will bear a striking resemblance, too. So, while a concise definition of the "standard look" of a whitetail escapes us, examples serve us well.

WHERE IT ALL BEGAN

ABOUT BR2 WHITETAIL SALES AND SERVICE

  
Plumber by trade, deer farmer at heart, Paul has poured himself and his resources into this new and oh-so-enjoyable business. The farm has rapidly expanded to 8 pens ( 5 acres each) and includes a huge 60' x 120' barn with a nice handling system, comfy in-floor heating, and sterilized kitchen facility. Bottlefeds travel the system regularly and handle very easily. Select stock has been added to the herd, mainly from renowned Michigan deer farmers Gary Edwards (Thunder Bay Whitetails) Alex Draper (D&D Deer Farms) and Mike Nedry (AGN Whitetail Acers). Seventy four deer now roam the crosses. Three of those first five does caught ( no Kyle's Missed!) and besides King James, a big Harry Bonds/ Son-Of-The-Gun yearling named Homer carries 151" despite being the smallest of triplets at birth. Paul has plenty of North America-wide reasons to be excited about the Son-Of-The-Gun doe base. Besides being remarkably big bodied, this line is proving to be one of the most consistently producing lines anywhere and, with always fresh excitement, Paul reports,  "The Son-of-The-Gun does got silverking this year and there has been no action yet!" Other crosses include Soaring Eagle, Double Eagle, Punch Bowl, Rold Gold, Dream Catcher, Popeye, Brutus, Wanna Be, and of course more SilverKing. Back up breeding sacrifices nothing with Escalade( 202" @ 2 years- Avalanche son out of "Ruby"(Hightops Doe), Homer, and King James. One particular buck fawn is especially intriguing- a 125 pound Double Eagle (241" @ 2) son that as big as King James was last year. "Big bodies and big frames" are the goal, and the goal is obviously allready being realized by the enthusiastic new deer farming family. So Paul enjoys early success, son Kyle is a big help with
chores and handling, father-in-law Merle helps lots and finds life-renewing therapy through this activity he loves, wife Dana contributes by bottle feeding and naming those precious bottle feds ("cookie doe, play doe, sugar doe", etc), and Keisha… well, she can boast an uncanny ability to select semen! we're left wondering… what else is about to arise from this farm, will the "King James version of a whitetail" become a true standard, how big and beautiful will King James crown become, and… what kind of deal has Paul worked out with Keisha? Regarding their unique semen sales plan that caters to and benefits both new and veteran producers… Do we call dad or daughter?