Evening capital news. (Boise, Idaho) 1901-1927, 1912-10-02

depleted ranges can be restocked with
big game and that this process, with
proper laws for its utilization, will
add materially to the food resources
Of the country.
A number of varieties OF deer and
elk have been found capable Of breed
One of these is the Rocky Mountain
elk which. next to the moose, is the
largest of the American deer. Its
range originally extended as far cast
as the Adirondack mountains and
western New Jersey, southwark al far
as the lower Alleghenies and north
ern Texas, New Mexico and ARIZONA,
and westward as far as the Pacific
coast. Now the range has become so
limited that the animals are found in
only a few scattered localities out
side of the Yellowstone National Park
and the mountainous country sur
rounding it. Smaller herds still occur
in Colorado, western Montana, Idaho,
eastern Oregon and in certain parts
OF Washington and northern Califor-
Mia. In addition to these Wild herds
there are growing number in private
game preserves and parks. as we'll as
in nearly all Of the geological gardens
Of the country. The herds in captivity
form the nucleus from which under
wise mana cement some Of the former
ranges Of this animal are being re-
stocked so that a profitable business
may be built UP from raising elk veni-
son for market.
Elk Superior to vsnison.
The flesh Of elk, although coarser
and therefore more like beef. is in
some respects superior to other veni-
son and there are now several large
In the west where the raising
Of elk has assumed such proportions
that it can be supplied in considerable
quantities. II the increase continues
there is no reason why it should COM
n1and its present high price a venison
can be produced with much less care
and expense after the herd is once cs-
than can either beef or
According to the reports Of
the few now engaged in the industry,
the elk adapts itself readily to almost
any environment and does well even
in com paratively narrow confines.
Their increase Is fully equal to that Of
cattle.
A number Of other species of deer II
is believed may be easily bred to fur
nish meat In commercial quantities.
The Virginia or white tailed deer,
which Is the common deer Of the
United States, can be raised in most
parts OF the country and according to
the experience Of a number of breed
ers. can be easily domesticated. II
al
Of the large western ranches to turn
deer or elk into the sheep pastures.
They act as protection to the sheep
and usually eat much Of he same food
although they browse urpi s1lrubs
which are out of reach OF the sheep.
In this way they have an added use
In clearing brush from land.
few years ago there was a craze
for breeding Belgian harcs as a meat
supply and like many other fads 1t soon
ran itself out While wild rabbits
have always been utilized to some ex-
tent in the United States, especially
during the cold part of the year, they
have never been used as a food here
TO the extent they have in England
where the home warrens and farms
are drawn upon to their fullest capaci.
~, and In addition from 1000 to 49,
600 tons are imported annually, part
~ from the continent and partly
from Australia and New Zealand.
When the Belgian hare fad was first
started 1t was believed that II would
create an entirely new food supply,
but when 1t was found that the much
talked of Belgian hare was in reality
Rut little superior TO the ordinary rab-
Vt the business almost collapsed.
DIV with the need Of an increased
NAT supply attention 10 again being |
Elected to the value Of the rabbit. |
Shedding rabbits for market II again
be4ming popular and the bureau Of
bSofgical survey of the department OF i
oerleilture ID eiving additional ettcn.