The enterprise. [volume] (Harlem, Mont.) 1899-1926, 1910-06-23

is not best when freshly killed, but should be
left hanging for four or five days before it is
used.
With few exceptions the early attempts to
domesticate elk were made by who
wealthy enough to disregard all thought of profit
in raising them They were usually placed under
the care of servants and the bucks were left
castrated until they became old and unmanage-
able. Soon the serious problem of controlling
them outweghed the novelty of their possession
and one by the attempts at domesticaton
were abandoned.
A desire to preserve this important game ami
NAL has caused a renewal of attempts to breed
it in confinement and at present there are small
herds under private ownership in many places in
the United States. The biological survey has re-
Gently obtained much information from owners
of herds in regard to their experience in breeding
and rearing the animals and also their opinions
as to the possibility of making the business OF
raising them profitable. OF about dozen
cessful breeders nearly all are of the opinion
that raising elk for market can be made remu-
nerative If present laws as to the sale of the meat
are modified.
One especially important fact has been devel-
oped by the reports from breeders. 1t Is that the
elk readily adapts itself to almost any environ
ment Even within the narrow confines of the
paddccks of the ordinary geological park the ami
NAL does we'll and increases that periodically
the herds have to be reduced by sales.
The fullest reports that have been received
by the department of agriculture from breeders
of elk are from George w. Russ of Eureka
Springs Ark
Mr.. Russ has herd of "a elk. They have
ample range in the Ozarks on rough land covered
with hardwood forests and abundant underbrush.
The animals improve the forest by clearing out
part of the thicket. They feed on buds and leaves
to height Of eight feet and any growth under
this is liable to be eliminated If the range is un-
restricted If not closely confined elk do not eat
L.
In clearing out underbrush from thickets they
are more useful than goats, since they browse
higher. Goats, however, eat closer to the ground
and as the two animals get along we'll together
Mr. Russ recommends the use of both for clear
ing ur hrushy land and fitting it for tame grasses
The increase of elk under domestication is
equal to that of cattle. Fully 80 per cent Of the
females produce healthy young. An adult male
elk weighs from 700 to 1000 pounds; female
from COO to 300 pounds. The percentage Of
dressed meat is greater than with CATTLE but
owing to hostile game laws experience In mar
keting it is very limited. An offer of 40 cents a
pound for dressed meat was received from st.
Louis, but the law would not permit It's export
Mr.. Russ says
From the fact that as high as $3.50 pound
has been paid for the meat in New York city and
Canada and that the best hotels and restaurants
pronounce 1t the finest of all the meats Of NAM
mails, we are of the opinion that If laws were
such that domest1cated elk meat could be fur
nished it would be many years before the supply
would make the price reasonable compared with
other meats. Elk meat can be produced in many
sections Of this country at less cost per pound
than beef, mutton or pork"
Mr.. Russ thinks that large areas Of rough
lands in the United States not now utilized espe
cially in localities like the Ozarks and the Allie
ghenies, could be economically used to produce
venison for sale and he regards the elk espe-
cially suited for this purpose
Another feature of Mr.. Russs report is of
than passing interest. He says
1--WE find from long experience that cattle.
sheep and goats can be grazed in the same lots
with elk, providing, however. that the lots or
Enclosures not small; the larger the area the
better We know of no more appropriate place to
call attention to the great benefit of few elk