Male deer shed their antlers at the turn of February and March. We may come across them quite by accident, but there is a group of people who specifically look for them in places where these animals frequent. These people know that they can make good money from them, but is it legal?
Can you take antlers out of the forest? The State Forests respond
Antlers are used by deer to dominate and show their strength and capabilities when fighting for females during the mating season. It falls off on its own and is not painful for the animal. They shed them to make room for new horns. Antlers are also a valuable thing that can be sold for quite a lot of money. They are used to make luxury items, decorations and teethers for children.
Deer antlers Deer antlers, istock/@Robert Nieznanski
The price of a large antler is up to PLN 1,000, so if we find it in the forest, it is a tempting find. Taking it from the forest is legal and if we’re lucky, we can keep them. Of course, only if we obtain them in a way that does not harm the animal. The website reads:
Collecting drops is legal as long as they were found in a managed forest and not in a national park or nature reserve. Seekers should also not violate entry bans in forests. Among others they should not enter thickets up to 4 m high.
How not to collect antlers? Illegal collectors harm animals
However, the State Forests are fighting a different practice. Antlers are so valuable that there is a group of people who want to obtain them illegally, harming animals and becoming poachers. Unethical antler collectors have many ways to get them – they drive away the animals, scare them away, and even prepare traps with special lines. – It is unacceptable that animals fall victim to greed – explained Andrzej Konieczny, director general of the State Forests.
Source: Gazeta
Bruce is a talented author and journalist with a passion for entertainment . He currently works as a writer at the 247 News Agency, where he has established himself as a respected voice in the industry.
