The new era., 1910-06-30

venison In the United States
The favor of venson Is distinctive, though it
suggests mutton rather than beef. In chemical
composition 1t is very similar to beef lean
venison roast before cooking has been found to
contain on average IS per cent. of water. 20
per cent of protein nitrogenous material and
2 per cent. of fat; lean beef rump, some 65 to
70 per cent. Of water, 20 to % per cent. of pro-
tein and to IA per cent. of fat; and lean leg
of mutton, 67 per cent of water. 10 per cent. of
protein and 13 per cent of fat.
The general popularity OF venison Is great
and the demand for it widespread that over
production Is improbable The other products of
the deer-skins and horns-are of considerable
Importance and In countries where deer abun-
dant and especially where large herds kept
in semi-domestcation. the commerce in both is
very extensive
The wapiti, known generally In America the
elk is next to the moose. the largest of our deer.
1t was once abundant over the greater part OF the
United States whence Its range extended north
ward to about latitude go degrees in the Peace
river region of the interior of Canada. In the
United States the limits of Its range eastward
the Adirondacks, western New Jersey and
eastern Pennsylvania southwark 1t reached the
southern Alleghenies, northern Texas. southern
New Mexico and Arizona; and westward the Pa
cifc ocean
At the present time the elk found only
in few scattered localities outside OF the yell
lowstone National park and the mountainous
country surrounding it. where large herds remain.
Smaller herds still occur in Colorado. western
Montana, Idaho, eastern Oregon. Manitoba. Al
pberta. British Columbia and the coast mountains
of Washington, Oregon and northwestern Califor-
mia. A band of the small California valley elk
still inhabits the southern part Of the San Joa-
quin valley. ESP l - 49,
The herds that summer in the Yellowstone
National park and in winter spread southwark
and eastward in Wyoming are said to number
about 10000 head and constitute the only large
bands of this noble game animal that are left.
Although protected In their summer ranges and
partially safeguarded from destruction in winter
by the state Of Wyoming there is yet great dan
ger that these herds may perish from lack of food
in a succession of severe winters Partial pro-
vision for winter forage has been made within
the national park but the supply is inadequate for
the large numbers of animals. Further safeguards
are needed to place the Wyoming elk herds be-
yond the reach of winter starvation.
In addition to the wild herds there is
siderable number of elk in private game preserves
and parks. we'll as In nearly all the public
= illogical parks and gardens Of this country. The
herds in captivity form the nucleus from which,
under wise management some of the former
ranges of this animal may restocked and from
which a profitable business of growing elk veni-
for market may be developed. At the pres
ent time this species affords most promising
field for ventures in breeding for profit. q
The elk is both browsing and grazing AMI
NAL. While 1t eats grasses freely and has been
known to subsist entirely upon pasture. 1t seems
to prefer mixture OF grass and browse.
The elk is extremely polygamous. The adult
bulls shed their antlers annually In March or
April and new ones attain their full size in about
80 days. The velvet" adheres until about Au-
gust. While the horns growing the bulls usu-
ally lead solitary lives; but early in September,
when the horns fully matured, the mating
season begins. Fights for supremacy then take
place and the victor takes charge of as many cows
he can round up and control
Although the elk is less prolific than the COM
mon deer and some other species that have been
bred in parks 1t increases fully rapidly as the
common red deer of Europe. Moreover, IT makes
up for any lack of fecundity by its superior har-
dness and ease, of management It has, been ac-
climatized in many parts Of the world and shows
the vigor and hardness wherever 1t has
been transplanted In Europe 1t has been sue
cessfully crossed with the Altai wapih and the
red deer and in both Instances the offspring were
superior in size and stamina to the native stock.
The flesh OF the elk, although somewhat coarse.l
Is superior N flavor to most venison. That of the
bulls is in IT'S best condition about the time the
velvet is shed. In October their flesh is in the
poorest condition AS the open season for elk
is usually In October and November and only
bulls are killed. 1t follows that hunters often OBJ
tain the venison when 1t il poorest The meat