Being new to the deer business, it was our goal to seek animals that exhibited desirable genetic traits that would pass down to their offspring. We also wanted DNA verified pedigrees so we knew 100% what we were starting with. When you set parameters like these you quickly narrow down who you’ll be buying deer from in Texas. Chris McSpadden has always gone out of his way to make certain we only invested in his best producing females; this is why when we look to add new stock in our herd The Refuge is the first place we look.
Jimmy Neckar
The Preserve - West, Texas
I’ve had numerous dealings with Chris and Glenn for almost 8 years now. After the 2008 fawning season, I would say we are feeding around 300 to 350 “Refuge” line deer. With a total of around 500 head, they have been, and I believe will always be, hands down my best producers and the hardiest deer we’ll ever try to raise. There are a lot of deer ranches in Texas, but I can honestly say the Refuge gets better every year. The boys know what they are doing! If there is any doubt, just look at their stock. I’ve always believed, if I get someone inside my ranch, I’ll sell them deer. The Refuge has that effect on me! The quality of their animals is just unbelievable, and it seems to improve every year. That being said, I would also like to add this. The Refuge staff makes every attempt to make everyone content when it comes to selling you deer. They never try to push deer on anyone! They’ll take time to show you what they have; most of the time throw in lunch and never try to push you into a sale. Chris and Glenn are two of the most honest people you’ll ever meet, and always honor what they say. With all the Refuge stock I have, it will be very hard to catch up to these boys!
Jeff Jones
QB Ranches - Kerens and Knox City, Texas
The only thing that equals and even exceeds the quality of Refuge Deer is the commitment to a meaningful relationship with other breeders and buyers. Chris McSpadden delivers on both fronts.
James Robison
Dos Amigos Ranch - south of George West, Texas
If you’re looking for deer for your herd that are pedigreed producers there is no where else to go!!! They consistently produced huge deer in Texas. Chris and Matt are awesome guys to do business with. They're honest and genuinely want to sell you the next BIG BUCK! We do business with these guys any chance we get!
Eric McGinnis
McBar Whitetails - Hillsboro, Texas
Birch Creek Ranch has been in the deer business for a little over a year and we have purchased most of our foundation stock from the Refuge. Chris has a large selection of high quality, healthy, gentle does and the Refuge also has some of the best bucks in the industry to breed them to. Chris and Matt have done a great job of answering questions on issues from facility construction to herd health. I highly recommend both the deer and the people from the Refuge and we will definitely do business with them again.
Chip Karels
Birch Creek Ranch - Oakwood, Texas
If you are looking for great deer and awesome people to deal with, you have come to the right place. I started my operation in the spring of 2003 with 20 bred doe from “The Refuge”. I was so pleased with the service and knowledge of Chris McSpadden and Glenn Sodd that I returned that fall to purchase my first breeder buck, Renegade. He was a three year old 10 point that scored 176 with 7 inch brow tines. He scored 232 7/8 this past year with 13 and 14 inch brow tines. I have continued to purchase deer and semen from Chris over the last 5 years and will continue to do so for years to come. You will not second guess your decision if you buy deer from “The Refuge”.
Brad Sullivan
Sullivan Whitetails - Sunset, Texas
“When we drove through The Refuge’s two year old pen and saw every buck was huge we knew immediately that if we were to become one of the top breeders in the State, we needed The Refuge genetics in our program. There is no question Chris McSpadden has developed the best genetic herd in the state producing, not a few big bucks per year but entire pens of huge bucks each year. The proof is in the pens!”
Jim Donnan
Venado Creek Ranch - San Augustine, Texas