The Columbus journal. (Columbus, Neb.) 1874-1911, 1910-06-29

well adapted TO their needs About as many elk
can be KEEP, on such range as cattle on an equa!
area Of fair pasture. There should be thickets
enough TO furnish winter browse. but this should
be supplemented by a supply OF winter forage.
Except when deep SHOWS cover the ground. elk
will keep in good condition ordinary pasture
and brow Sc. but a system of management that pro-
vides other fool regularly will be found more sat
isfaotory. Hay and fodder excellent win
ter forage hut alfalfa hay has proved to be the
best dry food for both elk and deer.
Elk are much less nervous than ordinary deer
and less disposed to jump fences. When they
escape from enclosure they usually return OF
their own accord II tame. they may be driven
like cattle. Ordinarily vefoot fence Of any kind
will conflne elk.
The cost Of stocking an elk preserve Is not
great. Usually surplus stock from geological parks
or small private preserves may he obaine at low
cost varying with the immediate demand for the
animals.
The Virginia Whitehall deer is the common
deer Of the United States. Including the half
dozen geographic races that occur within our Dor.
ders. it is distributed over most Of the country
except Nevada and the major portions Of Utah.
Arizona. Washington. Oregon and California. II
is extinct in Delaware and practically in a
Der Of states in the middle west. South Of our
borders a number of closely related species occur
In view Of the wide natural range of the vir.
ginia deer its adapabiity TO nearly all sections Of
the United States cannot he doubted. Testimony
AZ to its hardness In parks and preserves Is not
SO unanimous that concerning the elk: but the
general experience Of breeders Is that with suitable
range plenty OF good water and reasonable care
in winter. raising this deer for stocking preserves
or for venisOn may he made "a profitable as any
other livestock industry. Not only do deer thrive
IN land unsuited for cattle horses but like elk.
they may be raised TO great advantage in brushy
or timbered pastures fully stocked with cattle or
horses "a the food OF deer rarely includes grass.
Advocates Of the Angora goat industry state
that within the United States there 100000 OC0
acres OF land not suited TO tIage to the pasture
Of horses. cattle or sheep. which well adapted
TO goats Much Of this land Is suited also to deer
and elk anal can he utilized for these animals with
less injury to the forest cover than would result
from browsing by goats
Virginia deer have often been bred In parks for
pleasure In large preserves for sport but the
economic possibilities In raising them have re-
ceived li:tle attention Recently breeders have
recognized the fact that they profitable under
proper management and would be much more so
were conditions for marketing live animals and
venison more favorable.
The chief obstacle to profitable propagation Of
deer In the United States Is the restrictive char
acter Of state laws governing the killing. sale and
transportation Of game. Many of the states. fol-
lowing precedent. lay down the broad rule that all
migratory. are the property Of the state. A few
states except game animals that are under pri-
vate ownership legally acquired"
The laws concerning the season for killing
and the sale Of deer are often equally embarrass-
ting to those who would produce venison for profit
The owner Of domestcated deer cannot legally kill
his animals except in open season.
Instead Of hampering breeders by restrictions.
As at present. state laws should be so modified as
TO encourage the raising Of deer. elk and other
animals as source Of profit to the individual and
10 the state
II is believed that with favorable legislation
much otherwise waste land in the United States
may be utilized for the production Of venson SO
as to yield profitable returns and also that this
excellent and nutritious meat. instead OF being
denied to SO per cent. Of the population Of the
country may become as common and as cheap in
our markets mutton.