Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-10-10
BEARS AND DEERS.
Farm to Raise Them Started in Wis
consln as an Experiment.
mere in Maine We Have Enough to Spare 10
Stock Several Farms

superior, Wis, Oct. "a deer and bear
farm Is the latest industrial project for
northern Wisconsin, and the men behind
the plan think that they have fortune In
sight. The farm is situated in the woods
a few miles from Kerrick. a small station
ON the Great Northern road. and ia al
ready fairly we'll stocked with animals.
Inc proprietors are James Allen, an old
Woodsman and hunter, and DR.. Harrison,
a New Yorker, who has been spending
much time in the Northwest. They pro-
pose to raise deer aud bear for the market
for the meat as well as the fur.
The plan is not to turn the animals
loose in the woods where they NAV be
shot by every hunter who comes along
but to keep them in pens or corrals, whore
they can be attended by their keepers and
watched over the same as domestic ami
mails.
The idea originated with Mr.. Allen two
or three years ago, and since then he has
kept several male and female bears and a
number of deer in separate pens near his
home. He has found that the animals
will mate in captivity as we'll as in the
wild state, and has a number of cubs and
Mr.. Allen was prevented from doing
anything toward starting the farm on Il
large scale until this fall by lack of CAPT
tai. just before the departure of Dr.
Harrison for New York, few days ago.
Mr.. Allen had an interview with him, and
the result was that the doctor agreed to
furnish the money necessary for half in
terest in the farm.
The money has been paid to Allen, and
he is now engaged in charging his pens,
buying up all the deer and bears he can
find, and preparing for winter when the
stock will need more care and attention
than at any other time during the year.
The farm is on Willow river, or Willow
creek, more properly speaking, and covers,
pens and all, nearly five acres of ground
which is well wooded, and through which
the stream runs. The corrsls are fenced
with heavy pine timbers, through which
animals cannot break, and huge ledge
of rocks in which there are several caves,
furnishes retreat for the bears
Sheds are now being built for the ami
mails, as Mr.. Allen expects that under his
care and kindness they will become CON-
paratively tame, and will not care to hide
The intention is to feed the dee, in
much the same manner as sheep, while
the bears will, in addition to ezra and
potatoes, have more or less meat. Nearly
$1,000 will be expended in getting things
in shape for the experiment, and the pre-
prietors say they do not expect to make
any money for couple of years
Then, they claim, all will be clear sail
ing. The only expense they will be under
will be for the feed of the animals, and the
sale of meat and fur will enable them to
make a handsome profit
There is some question as to whether
the deer may be kept in pens, owing to
the stringent game laws of the state ,f
Wisconsin. but Mr. Allen is of the opinion
that he is safe so long as he kills none Ct
them during the closed season. There is
no law regarding bears, and even If it
should prove that deer may not be kept,
the bear part of the experiment will be
continued