Episode Overview

Podcast: The Origins Foundation Podcast
Episode: 588 – Wildlife Ranch Solutions || Ranching With Exotics
Air Date: August 28, 2025
Host: The Origins Foundation (Robbie Kreuger)
Guests: Joe Bailey (President/Partner, Wildlife Ranch Solutions), Chuck Dye (Operations Manager, Wildlife Ranch Solutions)

This episode delves into the fascinating and controversial world of exotic wildlife ranching in Texas. Host Robbie Kreuger leads a candid discussion with Joe Bailey and Chuck Dye of Wildlife Ranch Solutions, exploring why Texas is a hotspot for exotics, the laws and economics behind exotic ranching, practical management of herds, conservation impacts, and personal perspectives on their favorite species. The conversation is rich with expert insights, firsthand anecdotes, and a nuanced look at how exotics intersect with hunting, conservation, and land use in America.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Texas as the Epicenter of Exotics in the U.S.

Timestamps: 04:24–06:07

• Legal Status as Livestock:
  Exotics in Texas are classified as livestock, subject to agricultural rather than wildlife regulations.

  "The exotics are considered livestock. So they're no different than cows, horses, goats..." — Joe Bailey (04:41)

• Diverse Climate and Habitat:
  Texas offers a wide variety of habitats—desert, plains, brush country, pine forests—conducive to many exotic species.
• Cultural Factors:
  Texan mentality of "bigger and better" drives interest in unique, impressive wildlife.

  "Everything's bigger and better in Texas, and people want to have the coolest stuff." — Chuck Dye (05:28)

• Historical Roots:
  Axis deer arrived almost 100 years ago, with historic ranches kickstarting the industry.

2. The Business and Management of Exotics

Timestamps: 15:08–18:23; 31:11–36:21

• Comparison: Wildlife Partners vs. Wildlife Ranch Solutions:
  • Wildlife Partners invests and breeds exotics for return and tax advantages.
  • Wildlife Ranch Solutions (Joe & Chuck's company) provides consulting and ongoing management to support landowners: habitat assessment, species selection, business planning, management plans, and handling.

  “...there was no standalone company that concentrated on the health and happiness of the animals on a property... So that's why we exist.” — Joe Bailey (18:03)

• Tax and Financial Incentives:
  Exotics—as livestock—qualify for property tax breaks and offer lucrative investment/tax deduction opportunities.

  "Exotics are tax-deductible." — Joe Bailey (26:14)

• Client Services:
  The company aids with everything from LLC setup to month-to-month management, emphasizing owner education, herd health, and profitability.

3. Scientific Management & Ranch Sustainability

Timestamps: 18:23–23:48; 23:52–25:48

• Customized Management:
  Recommendations are made based on ranch habitat—matching browsers, grazers, and mixed feeders to available forage, considering owner goals.

  "You do have to generalize to a point, but also making sure that one hand isn't fighting the other hand." — Chuck Dye (21:39)

• Emphasis on Land & Animal Health:
  Contrary to “feedlot” misconceptions, focus is on improving land, soil, and native forage, making the ranch ecosystem more resilient for both exotics and native species.
• Education:
  Much effort is spent on educating landowners on animal requirements, suitable stocking rates, and ongoing management.

4. Conservation, Ethics, and Controversies

Timestamps: 25:54–30:53

• Why Switch to Exotics? Many ranchers switched from whitetail after tighter regulations and chronic wasting disease drove them out of the whitetail business; exotics are easier to manage under current law and often more profitable.
• Interaction With Native Species:
  Exotics and native whitetail can and do coexist; many management practices (food plots, silvicultural work) benefit both.

  "You can have native whitetail on your ranch with exotics. No issue." — Joe Bailey (26:45)

• High Fencing Debate:
  High fences are used to protect high-value exotics, which can cost tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars per animal.

  "Exotics and high fence go hand in hand." — Joe Bailey (30:21)

  • Some concern over limited native wildlife movement, but whitetails are resourceful:

    "...I've witnessed it in person. Whitetail do in fact still jump in and out of these pens." — Chuck Dye (29:46)

  • Fences are not perfect—escapes and breaches do occur.

5. From Plan to Practice: Working With Wildlife Ranch Solutions

Timestamps: 31:11–36:57

• End-to-End Service:
  From business inception to ongoing consulting, including property evaluation, species selection, nutrition, habitat, and regulatory defense (e.g., IRS audits).
• Monthly Check-Ins & 24/7 Support:
  Contractual, regular on-site evaluations and always-available expert support.

  "At midnight you can call or text and if it's an emergency, we're going to be there to help you." — Chuck Dye (36:22)

• Detailed Business Plans:
  Including recommended species, ROI projections, stocking rates, nutrition details, and factual information about each exotic option.

6. Personal Favorites: Top Exotics on Texas Ranches

Timestamps: 37:11–40:53

• Joe Bailey's Top 3:
  1. Giraffe: bottle baby price: $250K–$300K
  2. Cape Buffalo: female price: ~$400K
  3. Bongo (Kenyan mountain preferred)

  "It's a mix between the rarity and just the... beautiful animals." — Joe Bailey (38:35)

• Chuck Dye's Top 3:
  1. Greater Kudu
  2. Sitatunga: surprising adaptability to TX, especially with good water management
  3. Kenyan Mountain Bongo: high conservation value; about 500 in the U.S., 350 in Texas

  "Trying to dial in on their management here in Texas... is just fascinating to me." — Chuck Dye (40:29)

• Notably Excluded:
  Both avoid lions and tigers:

  "Yeah, we don't mess with lions and tigers. I don't do anything that'll eat you." — Joe Bailey (40:59)
  With a nod to "Joe Exotic":
  "His name may be Joe, but it's not Joe Exotic." — Chuck Dye (41:04)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the breadth of the business:

  "You can have native whitetail on your ranch with exotics. No problem. The whitetail business was on fire... and the state of Texas regulated it to death. Because of chronic wasting disease, a lot of people have moved away from whitetail." — Joe Bailey (26:45)

• On the steep economics:

  "A sable cow is 50K and up. You know, there's—and they're tax deductible. That doesn't mean we're going to let them die." — Joe Bailey (18:03)

• Educational priorities:

  "A lot of what we do is education... trying to mitigate that learning curve for owning these animals." — Chuck Dye (32:54)

• Commitment to client care:

  "You have 24/7 access... at midnight you can call or text and if it's an emergency, we're going to be there to help you." — Chuck Dye (36:22)

• Conservation complexities:

  "For the conservation value... Kenyan Mountain Bongo... they're a challenge. Highly specialized animals. There's less than a hundred in Kenya right now… trying to contribute to the largely unknown science." — Chuck Dye (40:29)

• On animal escapes and Texan exotics mayhem:

  "I've seen some incredible animals that have escaped... I've seen elk, blackbuck, fallow, you name it and it's all there." — Joe Bailey (30:21)

Important Timestamps

| Segment | Content/Insight | Speaker(s) | Timestamp | |---------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------|------------|------------| | Why exotics thrive in Texas | Legal, climate, and historical roots | Joe, Chuck | 04:24–06:07| | Exotics as livestock | Tax advantages and livestock classification | Joe | 14:12–15:08| | Death loss/crisis management | The importance of species-specific care | Joe | 17:48–18:23| | Exotics vs. Whitetail dynamics | Market, regulations, coexistence | Joe | 26:14–28:02| | High fence ethics/practicalities | Debate over fencing and native wildlife | Joe, Chuck | 28:34–30:51| | How Wildlife Ranch Solutions works | Business plans and client management | Joe, Chuck | 31:11–36:57| | Favorite (and expensive) exotics | Giraffe, buffalo, bongo, kudu, sitatunga, bongo | Joe, Chuck | 37:11–40:53| | "We don't do lions or tigers" | Safety and ethics on dangerous species | Joe, Chuck | 40:59–41:13|

Where to Find Wildlife Ranch Solutions

• Website: wildliferanchsolutions.com
• Facebook: Wildlife Ranch Solutions
• Instagram: @wildliferanchsolutions

Tone and Style

The conversation is candid, informative, and laced with Texas humor and practicality. Joe and Chuck approach their work with a blend of business pragmatism, deep animal care, and appreciation for both conservation and the ranching heritage of the American West. Robbie, as host, keeps the tone friendly and inquisitive, drawing out stories and expert commentary with genuine curiosity.

Recommended for: Landowners interested in exotics, conservationists, hunters, ranch management professionals, and anyone curious about the intersection of wildlife, economics, and Texas culture.