Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1909-05-05
DEER FARMING IN IOWA.
Herd Of Nearly One Hundred on
Farm Near Mason City, Owned
by John Griggs.

Dear farming in Iowa is limited to
one farm and to one man-John w.
Griggs, who lives 20 miles southwest
of Mason City, near the border line
between Hancock and Cerro Gordo
counties, where may be seen a herd
of nearly 100 deer, from which they
are but a few generations removed,
and where the visitor may spend half
a day in as delightful an outing as
can be imagined.
John Griggs is a typical pioneer,
who came to Iowa as trapper and
hunter 40 years ago. but who unlike
others of his profession, settled down
upon her virgin soil and applied him
self to farming, while at the same
time he surrounded himself with all
the wild life he could induce through
demonstration or captivity to remain
with him.
Mr.. Griggs' farm for more than
three decades has been geological
garden of animal curiosities fresh
from their wild haunts, not because
Mr.. Griggs wanted to be different
from other Iowa farmers, but be-
cause he loved animals and wanted
them for their company and for the
inspiration they gave him.
He has made a success of filling
the soil and now, after attaining
years when the activities of farm
life must be eased up, he finds ample
and constant employment with a side
line as unique as any in the world
deer farming. Fifteen years he has
been in the deer business. Wolves,
wild geese, antelope, elk and other
animals have in succession occupied
his spare moments in cultivating
their acquaintance for 80 years, but
in no line has he succeeded so well
as with deer
Fifteen years ago Mr.. Griggs be-
gan with pair of Virginia deer, but
by careful study and added new
blood he has built up herd which
are crosses of true bloods of black
tails. Columbia black tails, Virgin
ians and Minnesota deer. though
none of these breeds seem to do so
we'll in Iowa as the Northern deer.
which vary little in size from other
breeds. but seem better adapted to
Iowa climate conditions.
There is good profit In raising
deer for the market, as Mr.. Greggs
is we'll able to testify. Deer are not
as large as one would think. A full
grown buck would weigh from $50
to 800 pounds and does from 100 to
IT'S. Deer are fully developed at
four years of age. The fawns, If
they come early and the does are
we'll fed, weigh at the age of six
months from 70 to 80 pounds. and at
Is months from 120 to ITO pounds.
The demand for venison is con-
stantly on the increase.
The laws which restrict hunting
and limit the number of does to each
hunter have prevented high price
at this time for the dressed carcasses
in Chicago. With a buck carcass
with we'll shaped head and nice
pair of antlers an extra IS may be
added to the shipment.
There is good demand for the
does for park purposes, and from $40
to $50 is not too much to ask.
But the work of Grating live deer
is not the easiest thing in the world.
They are so small, SO timid, so 1.-THE
and active that it takes more power
and skill than can usually get around
them to perform the act without de-
struction to the deer
Elk was discarded a few years ago
by Mr.. Griggs in favor of deer. They
are much larger than a deer, will
eat as much as a steer, and are not
so reliable as deer when ii comes to
profits.
The bucks as a rule are docile and
harmless, but will bear watching,
especially during the mating season.
The does will not attack unless mo-
Tested when the fawns are young
and will then fight to good purpose
and oftentimes without reason To
be let alone is deer lesson the
breeder must learn or his deer will
teach him.
AS rule the loss from various
causes Is not great to the herd. Deer
If properly cared for are profitable.
Self injury when frightened causes
some loss and mad buck may stab
doe with his horn during feeding
time, making a wound from which
she Is pretty likely to die.
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