Management of Enclosed and Domesticated Deer

This is the first book devoted to international deer husbandry techniques for the growing industries of venison, velvet antler, and antler trophy production as well as long established extensive park systems for amenity.  Written by world leaders in their specialised subjects, chapters shed light on widely differing management systems and the optimum design of deer farms, handling yards and fencing layouts. Moreover, readers will discover the requisites of good stockmanship and specialist veterinarians describe different diseases the deer may develop. Details on available treatments, the general biology of deer and an explanation of controversial ethics of velvet and trophy production complete this work.As deer farming has come of age this collection is timely. At fifty years the New Zealand deer industry carries one million animals with annual venison exports to America, Europe and growing antler markets in China and Korea. Chinese antler production is well-established and Asian reindeer husbandry even more ancient. In North America and Europe, deer are now being kept for antler trophies and amenity in many historic parks.  This volume is a valuable resource for everyone researching deer management systems, be it practising veterinarians, deer farmers, park managers or agricultural and veterinary students.

“This unique book fills something of a publishing void and will occupy an important place on the shelf of anyone responsible for captive deer … . This is a substantial, comprehensive and authoritative volume that is destined to become a respected text on the subject. It is also happens to be very readable and packed with information that will fascinate any deer enthusiast.” (DEER - Journal of the British Deer Society, Vol. 20 (7), 2023)“Each chapter starts with a short abstract and keywords; there are references at the end of the chapter and these range from limited to extensive in number. ... This book will be a major standard reference point for future publications about enclosed deer for many years. My congratulations to the editor and the many contributors for sharing their enthusiasm and knowledge about deer.” (Aiden Foster, VetRecord, Vol. 192 (1), January, 2023)

John Fletcher is a veterinarian with vast practical experience in farming deer for venison. He has also been involved with New Zealand stock agency and has been trading deer breeding stocks for many years. As a result, John Fletcher has a global network of deer experts he has collaborated with and who he has recruited as contributors for the current work.