How's the Sambar Stag export ban going?

[MatthewVanitas]

If I understand correctly, Sambar Stag grips are so high in price these days because the Indian gov't is prohibiting peasants from collecting stag antlers in national forests.

Not sure if it has something to do w/ dwindling stag populations, poaching, or (according to one article), collectors starting forest fires during their overnight trips into the nat'l forests.

Anyone know what the story is? Any chance of change? What did Sambar grips run before this crackdown?

Should we ask the Indian gov't to broadcast mood-music into the forests, in order to increase the next generation of stags?

-MV

 

[Chawbaccer]

My understanding is that the collectors were burning the brush to find it which was damaging other wild life. They would be foolish to shoot the deer to collect the antlers. Also I guess there was a temporary lifting of the ban for a one time export. I don't see it in knife company catalogs anymore.

 

[tellner]

The Indian game reserves have been ravaged by poaching and environmental destruction. Would it be stupid to shoot the deer? No, not if your aim is to make as much money as quickly as possible. Poachers and their pet corrupt officials aren't interested in long-term confiscation. They're after the quick buck.