Breeder Spotlight - Sullivan Whitetail Ranch

The best of friends, one might consider them more like brothers. Having grown up together since the age of 6, Brad Sullivan and Jeff Dean, are a team comprised of family.

They started out as neighbors in the town of Winnsboro, Louisiana, and would soon become best buds. And like any best buds, you could always find the two together. At school, playing sports, or getting into trouble, the two of them were inseparable. Their friendship continued through high school, and though they attended separate colleges, they would soon find themselves back together again.

After college the two packed up their belongings and headed to Dallas. As newly graduated bachelors they decided to share an apartment and commenced to start the careers in the business world. Having taken jobs with different companies, it would not be long before the two would be back together working as a team.

Brad was working at a mortgage company where he had been promoted to manager. As one of his first executive decisions Brad decided that he needed someone on his team that he could depend on. So, without hesitation, Brad immediately hired Jeff and the two began working together.

Over the years Brad and Jeff have spent many hours in the field, hunting and fishing together. Their shared passion for the outdoors has taken them to several hunting destinations in pursuit of big game. It's from this passion that has lead them to where they are today.

After five years of working together, Brad purchased 507 acres near the town of Sunset, Texas. Immediately after purchasing the ranch Brad and Jeff realized that they had limited influence and control over the wildlife population on the ranch. Surrounded by several landowners they knew their choices were limited for managing and growing trophy whitetails. They soon high fenced their ranch and began to develop a management program specific to their wants and needs.

Soon after high fencing the ranch, they found it was possible to enhance the ranch's deer herd further by introducing superior whitetail genetics. It wasn't long thereafter the two built breeding pens, acquired their breeding permit, and began the ranch's breeding operation.

Having started out with 20 original breeding does, Sullivan Whitetail Ranch has grown into a breeding operation that consists of more than 200 adult whitetails. Having those kind of numbers, it didn't take long for Brad and Jeff to realize the amount of work that lay ahead. Shortly after commencing into the realm of breeding whitetails, the two decided that it would be best if Jeff, while still working for the mortgage company, to live on the ranch to better manage the breeding operation. And it wasn't long after that, when Jeff made the jump from the mortgage business to full time ranch manager.

In five short years, Sullivan Whitetail Ranch has made great strides in developing a first-class breeding operation with top-notch genetics. Through hard work and strategic acquisitions, they are considered by many as a top, up and coming breeder. With their breeding program's offspring already showing signs of brilliance, along with genetics from the countries top bloodlines, including Maxbo, Texas Sam, Athens, Bambi Sawblade, and Cactus Jr., they have a lot to look forward to.

So what do they hope to accomplish from all of their hard work? Well, to grow big deer of course. But not only that, with three kids each, both Brad and Jeff hope to pass down their passion for the outdoors and whitetails to their children.

Still too young for much participation, Brad's kids are still getting their feet wet when it comes to the ranch. As for Jeff's kids, all three participate in many aspects, from filling feeders, cleaning water troughs, to bottle feeding, they have all taken an active interest in the ranch and breeding program. This interest is something both Brad and Jeff feel is vital to the future success of the deer industry.

And let's not forget the wives. Both Brad and Jeff both admit, if not for the work and support their wives have given them, they couldn't be where they are today. They know it has truly been a family effort.

Click here to learn more about Sullivan Whitetail Ranch.