SINKING CREEK, W.Va. (WVDN) – Sinking Creek Whitetails, a local private conservation operation owned by Mike Suttle, is blending rigorous scientific research with careful animal management to advance genetics and disease prevention in whitetail deer. With two distinct sites—a Class I breeding facility and a 520-acre Class II conservation preserve—the operation monitors nutrition, health, genetics and behavior while inviting public engagement through scheduled tours and daily social media updates.
The facilities and their mission form the backbone of this effort. The Class I Breeding Facility houses approximately 30 does and a small cadre of breeding bucks. Its mission is to produce large-bodied deer from northern genetics with clean, typical antler expression that reflects natural morphology. Researchers actively identify genetic markers for disease resistance and monitor traits related to body size and antler characteristics.
The Class II Conservation Preserve serves as a private landscape where deer from the breeding facility are released and observed in a natural setting. Longitudinal studies track diet, health, behavior and seasonal changes, with particular attention to conception rates, fawn birth and recruitment.
Across both facilities, the team examines nutrition, health, and longevity; genetics of body size and antler development; disease resistance; behavior; environmental impacts on reproduction; and milk production in nursing does under various conditions. Tours are offered by appointment only beginning in June and can be booked through the facility’s website. Sinking Creek Whitetails shares updates on Facebook. You can reach Suttle by phone at 304-661-1500.
The management approach emphasizes ethics and public engagement. Genetics and disease prevention are central to the program, which is conducted in accordance with welfare standards and wildlife-care best practices. The operation prioritizes naturalistic management, avoiding practices that could compromise animal welfare or ecological integrity.
Feeding and habitat management differ by site: the breeding facility provides year-round access to a balanced grain mix and alfalfa hay. At the same time, the conservation preserve offers winter access to the grain mix and relies on naturally available browse during the warmer months. Minerals support health and body condition, reaffirming the view that genetics largely governs ultimate size and antler potential.
From a scientific perspective, size and antler development are viewed through the lens of genetics and overall health. The breeding program builds on a foundation of large northern deer developed over decades of selective breeding, acknowledging that direct comparisons with wild populations require context, given differing selective pressures and environments. Antler growth is understood to be strongly influenced by genetics and health, with nutrition playing a supporting role in helping deer reach their genetic potential rather than overriding it. The program emphasizes natural diets and mineral support over any artificial means to boost antler metrics.
The operation’s private status reflects a focus on research and welfare. Logan Haus Kennels, a police dog breeding and training business, privately funds the facility. Readers who follow their conservation efforts will find a steady stream of scientific research.
Mike Suttles motivation is simple: his love and passion for whitetail deer led them down this path, and he would rather be surrounded by these beautiful animals every day than pursue anything else.
