Deer Farming
Deer are not native to New Zealand. The first deer were brought to New Zealand from England and Scotland in the mid-late 1800’s. These Red Deer were introduced for sport and were released into the wild. Elk were introduced from North America in 1905 and released in Fiordland.
The first farming of deer happened in the early 1970’s and now New Zealand has the largest number of farmed deer in the world. After just 40 years New Zealand is the number one source for farm-raised venison worldwide with around 2000 farmers farming approximately 1 million deer.
Deer are the last mammal to be domesticated by humans for centuries. This has provided an exciting time of challenges, new experiences and learning.
The first farming of deer happened in the early 1970’s and now New Zealand has the largest number of farmed deer in the world. After just 40 years New Zealand is the number one source for farm-raised venison worldwide with around 2000 farmers farming approximately 1 million deer.
Deer are the last mammal to be domesticated by humans for centuries. This has provided an exciting time of challenges, new experiences and learning.