Deer antler harvesting season in Nghe An

(Baonghean.vn) - In the spring, thousands of deer in Quynh Luu (Nghe An) giveluckHowever, that's why so many customers from all over the country come to this area to "harvest" deer.

Mr. Van Duc Hai, residing in Hamlet 12, Quynh Tan Commune (Quynh Luu District), is the largest deer farmer in the commune, with 30-40 deer in his enclosure each year. During the antler harvesting season, he can harvest over 5kg of antlers in a single day. According to Mr. Hai, the antler harvesting season runs from January to July in the lunar calendar, but the peak season is in February. From the time the new antlers emerge, pushing aside the old cut, to the time of harvest, it takes approximately 45 days or more…

A pair of deer antlers have just been harvested for a customer. Photo: Nhu Thuy.

To care for his deer herd, in addition to planting 3 acres of elephant grass, Mr. Hai also grows bananas to provide food for the deer… “Raising deer is simple; their main food is leaves. This species rarely gets sick. To ensure the quality of deer antlers, about a month before the Lunar New Year, I have to supplement the deer's diet with starchy foods like corn, peanuts, and potatoes,” Mr. Hai said.

Previously, deer breeders could only harvest one crop of antlers per year, but now they have developed methods to care for deer so they can harvest two crops, with each pair averaging 0.6 - 0.8 kg, and healthy deer can yield antlers weighing over 1 kg...

Deer antlers are considered "standard" when they weigh approximately 0.6-0.8 kg. This year, the price of antlers is higher than in previous years, ranging from 10 to 12 million VND/kg. Photo: Nhu Thuy

Mr. Nguyen Dinh Ky, a long-time deer breeder in Quynh Thang commune, said: "When deer start to grow antlers, the owner regularly cares for them by supplementing their diet with foods rich in fat, so the antlers grow very quickly and are of higher quality. The antler growth period is 45-55 days. During the antler harvesting season, even if there are no buyers, the antlers must be cut and then stored in the freezer. If the antlers are left to 'age' too much, the quality of the velvet will not meet the requirements."

In every village in Quynh Luu, there is a deer antler harvesting group. When a customer has chosen a pair of antlers they like, the deer owner asks the antler harvesting group (about 4-5 people) to help. Usually, customers choose a day to have the antlers harvested and prepare glass jars, white wine, honey, or ginseng for the workers to process on the spot.

Mr. Nguyen Hong Chau, a trader from Hanoi, said: "Nghe An deer antlers are a branded product on the market, highly trusted by consumers. This year, market demand is high, and the price of antlers is higher than in previous years, ranging from 10 to 12 million VND/kg."

In Quynh Luu district, thousands of households raise deer for their antlers. Photo: Nhu Thuy

The entire Quỳnh Lưu district has over 11,000 deer, concentrated in the mountainous communes of Quỳnh Châu, Quỳnh Tam, Quỳnh Thắng, Tân Thắng, Quỳnh Tân, Quỳnh Yên…

Mr. Dau Duc Nam, Head of the District's Agriculture Department, said: "Every year, people earn nearly 10 billion VND from deer antlers and breeding stock. However, because there is no brand, the market is unstable. The district is promoting steps to build a brand for deer antlers and deer, and strengthening efforts to attract investment projects to find sustainable markets, increase the value of deer farming, and contribute to increasing the income of farmers."

"Father Nguyen Dinh Thuc incites parishioners."

Nhu Thuy