The Lamar register., 1910-06-22

w and Virginia deer are rec
commended as best adapted for the production Of
venison In the United States.
The favor of venison 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 average as per cent. OF water. 20
per cent. of protein nitroge,ous material and
per cent. OF fat: lean beef rump. some 65 to
70 per cent. OF water. 20 to 90 per cent. Of pro,
teln and to II per cent of fat :. and lean leg
OF mutton, 81 per cent OF water. 10 per cent. OF
protein and 10 percent of fat
The general popularity of venison is so great
and the demand for It SO widespread that over.
the deer-skins and -horns-are of considerable
Importance and In countries where deer are abun-
dant and especially where large herds are kept
in. semtdomssticstaon. the commerce In both is
very extensive.
The wapiti. known generally In America the
elk In. next to the moose the largest of deer.
1t was abundant over the greater part Of the
United Suites. 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
were the Adirondack western New Jersey and
eastern Pennsylvania southwark II reached the
southern AIleghenies. northern Texas. southern
New Mexico and Arizona; and westward the Pa
cihc ocean.
At the present time the elk are found only
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
berta. British Columbia and the coast mountains
Of Washington. Oregon and northwestern Califor.
nIas band of the small California valley elk
siii inhablts the southern part Of the San Joa-
Qun 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 a succession OF severe winters. Partial pro-
Vision for winter forage has been made within
tho 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 veni.
son for market may be developed. At the pres
ent time this species affords a most promising
field for ventures In breeding for profit
The elk Is both browsing and a grazing anil
mai. While 1t eats grasses freely and has been
known to subsist entirely upon pasture, It seems
to prefer mixture of grass and browse.
The elk is extremely polygamous. The adult
bulls shed their antiers annually in March or
April and new attain their full size In about
90 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 fully matured. the mating
season begins. Fights for supremacy then take
place and the victor takes charge OF as many cows
as 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 the
common red deer of Europe Moreover. 1t makes
up for any lack of fecundity by Its superior har-
diness and ease Of management 1t has been
ciimatized In many parts of the world and shows
the same vigor and hardness wherever It has
been transplanted In Europe 1t has been sue
cessfully crossed with the Altai wapit 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
is superior In flavor to most venison. That Of the
bulls is in Its 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 killed. 1t follows that hunters often OBJ
tain the venison when 1t is poorest The meat