The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1910-07-16


fZ@tE@[ American preserves, the elk
and Virginia deer are rec
commended as best adapted for the production OF
venison in the United States.
The flavor Of venison is distinctive though II
suggests mutton rather than beef. In chemical
composition 1t is very similar to beef A lean
venison roast before cooking has been found to
contain on an average rs per cent. of water 20
per cent. OF protein or heterogeneous material and
( ger cent. Of fat; lean beef rump some 65 to
20 per cent. OF water. 20 to % per cent of pro.
TEN and to IA per cent. of fat; and lean leg
of mutton, 67 per cent of water, 10 per cent of
protein and 10 per cent of fat
The general popularity of venison is so great
and the demand for 1t so widespread that over
production is improbable The other products of
the deer-skins and horns-are of considerable
importance and in countries where deer are abun-
dant and especially where large herds are kept
m semidomestication, the commerce in both Is
very extensive.
The wapiti, known generally In America as the
elk. Is. next.to the moose the largest of deer
1t was once abundant over the greater part of the
United States. whence it's range extended north
ward to about latitude 60 degrees In the Peace
river region of the interior Of Canada. In the
United States the limits Of its range eastward
were the Adirondacks, western New Jersey and
eastern Pennsylvania; southwark 1t reached the
southern Aneghenies. northern Texas, southern
New Mexico and Arizona; and westward the Pa
eihc ocean,
At the present time the elk are found only
m few scattered localities outside Of the Vel
lowstone National park and the mountainous
country surrounding it. where large herds remain
Smaller herds estill occur In Colorado. western
Montana, Idaho, eastern Oregon, Manitoba AL
oerta, British Columbia and the coast mountains
OF Washington. Oregon and northwestern Califor.
MIA band Of the small California valley elk
still inhabits the southern part of the San Joa,
quin valley.
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 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 a con.
siderable number of elk in private game preserves
and parks. as well as in nearly all the public 20
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 profitable business of growing elk yeni
son for market may be developed At the pres.
ent time this species affords most promising
deld for ventures In breeding for profit
The elk is both browsing and grazing ami.
NAL While IT eats grasses freely and has been
known to subsist entirely upon pasture II seems
% prefer mixture of grass and browse
The elk is extremely polygamoys. 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 are growing the bulls usu-
ally lead solitary lives: but early In September,
when the horns are fully matured, the mating
season begins. Fights for supremacy then take
place and the victor takes charge of as many cows
rs 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 as rapidly as the
common red deer of Europe. Moreover it makes
up for any lack of fecundity by its superior har-
diness and ease Of management 1t has been &C
climatized in many parts of the world and shows
the same vigor and hardness wherever it has
been transplanted. In Europe it has been sue
cessfully crossed with the Altai wapiti 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,
b superior in flavor to most venison That of the
PULLS is in its best condition about the time the
Ielvet Is shed. In October their flesh is In the
poorest condition. AS the open season for elk
8 usually In October and November and only
,ulls are killed, 1t follows that hunters often OBJ
ain the venison when it Il poorest The meat
d