Alberta Inventors and Inventions

Deer farming in Alberta has grown in popularity over the last 15 years as the demand for the meat increases and farmers find new ways of raising their stock. As with many large farm animals, such as bison and cattle, deer need regular maintenance, requiring a way for handlers to safely approach the animals.

Inventor Len Jubinville had this dilemma in mind when he designed the Deerhandler, an apparatus used to restrain deer so that farmers may tag their animals, test for diseases or perform medical treatment. The device is a large box-like structure, similar to a cow chute, but specifically built to hold an adult deer. While one side is left open for the animal to enter, the opposite end is partially blocked, with a V-shaped opening. Shoulder pads, placed on either side of the opening, gently restrain the animal so that only its front legs move through the box, momentarily suspending it so that the farmer can do the necessary work.

Deer farmers have long used an alternate device called a "squeeze." The structure is similar, but the deer are held in place when their handlers push the sides of the box together. This method is not always effective, as many farmers are unsure of how much pressure they should apply and the device does not provide access to the deer’s head, neck, ears and antlers.

The Deerhandler was patented in 2001 and is in use on hundreds of farms across North America.