Regarding why deer are farmed in the US: in some places, deer are farmed for consumption, but will typically be non-native deer, considering most states forbid the sale of meat from native species, and thus other cervids than the WTD. (This goes back a bit to controlling depopulation triggered by hunting for the market.)
Most farming of deer in the continental US is actually for white tail deer, and specifically to develop and grow mutant genetic stocks that "score" very well based on antler size/complexity. A reindeer, for example, might bring ... (read more)
Regarding why deer are farmed in the US: in some places, deer are farmed for consumption, but will typically be non-native deer, considering most states forbid the sale of meat from native species, and thus other cervids than the WTD. (This goes back a bit to controlling depopulation triggered by hunting for the market.)
Most farming of deer in the continental US is actually for white tail deer, and specifically to develop and grow mutant genetic stocks that "score" very well based on antler size/complexity. A reindeer, for example, might bring ... (read more)