Rocky Ford enterprise., 1910-06-24

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. A lean
venison roast before cooking has been found to
contain on average IS per cent of water. 20
per cent. Of protein or nitrogenous material and
per cent. of fat: lean beef rump. some 65 to
70 per cent. Of water. 90 to % per cent Of pro-
ten and to II per cent. of fat; and lean leg
of mutton. 81 per cent. Of water 10 per cent. Of
protein and 13 per cent. Of fat ,r..
The general popularity OF venson is so 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 are abun.
dant and especially where large herds kept
in semi domestication. the commerce in both il
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 its 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
the Adirondacks. western New Jersey and
eastern Pennsylvania: southwark Il reached the
southern Alleghenies. northern Texas. southern
New Mexico and Arizona: and westward the Pa
cific ocean.
At the present time the elk are found only
in 4 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
ber;a. British Columbia and the coast mountains
of Washington. Oregon and northwestern Caiifor-
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 IL 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
nre 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 10
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 yenI
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 a browsing and a grazing AMI
u Deen
known to subsist entirely upon pasture. It seems
to prefer mixture Of grass and browse.
The elk is extremely poygamous. The adult
bulls shed their anters annually In March
April and new ones attain their full size in about
30 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. It increases fully rapidly 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 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.
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 are killed. It follows that hunters often OBJ
tain the vsnison when II u poorest The meat