Venison (the meat of Ezo (Hokkaido)deer)

The agricultural damage caused by Ezo deer totaled almost six billion yen in Hokkaido. The Okhotsk region makes up 12.3% of that, and the number of captured deer in Hokkaido is about 109,000. In the eastern part of Hokkaido, about 57,000 deer are captured. (2010, Hokkaido Ezo Deer Management Office) In order to keep the ecological system balanced and to prevent further damage caused by Ezo deer, Hokkaido is promoting the use of Ezo deer meat as a food. The Shiretoko Ezo Deer Farm was established in the nineteenth year of Heisei (2007) based on the Ezo Deer Effective and Practical Use Plan, which is promoted by Hokkaido. They raise captured Ezo deer at a feedlot, process it, and sell the meat. Annually, they process the meat of about 1,000 Ezo deer. This meat is sold commercially, and it is included on many local menus.