A bull elk will bugle in fall, a sign that the rut has begun. Bull elk weight approximately 1000 pound, cow average 500-650 pounds. Only bulls have antlers, which grow back every year. Raising elk makes economic sense - Broad range of marketing opportunities. Velvet Antler - The backbone of the industry.
Antlers are a renewable product, produced every year.
Recreation - increase demand for trophy animal on hunting preserves, especially out west. It is evident that the look of Wisconsin's farms is changing. In the last decade more and more traditional dairy farmers are looking into alternatives. Raising elk and deer on Wisconsin pastures and hillsides seems to be a good substitute. As this new era in farming is emerging, the heritage of Wisconsin's farming history will now include elk and deer.