The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1912-06-07
CREST land in Maryland, which
Is now of not much practical
use, may soon be made to re-
turn an indirect revenue as a

Is now of not much practical
use, may soon be made to re
turn an indirect revenue as q
feeding ground for domestic
American elk, white tailed deer
red deer, fallow deer, roebuck OF
other members of the deer fam
lily. This condition is contingent
upon the passage of bill by the
Maryland state legislature authorizing
the raising and selling of these deer
in enclosed preserves by the owners
of tracts of forest land.
The idea is to raise deer for the
market, and as there is fine feeding
and plenty of it on the cut-over for
est lands of the state, much of which
may readily be enclosed with wire
fences, and as the flesh is good eating
and good prices may be commanded
for 1t, there is every indication that
If the bill passes the legislature, the
project will prove successful.
The plan originated with Mr.. Will
ham NJ. Ellicott Of Baltimore who has
hunted big game in the United States
Mexico and Canada and who has been
interested in learning of conditions In
Europe where the markets are well
supplied with venison and other game
from private preserves and breeding
establishments. He Is enthusiastically
IN favor Of the plan and Is doing what
he can to secure the passage Of the
bill.
MIR. Ellicott In talking Of the pro
posed law said: AT first sight this
seems to be matter Of only ordinary
interest, but when 1t Is realized that
tho deer as a wild animal has become
practically extinct in Maryland and
THAT only occasionally Is venison seen
ID our markets. and this at almost
prohibitive prices, 1t will be clear that
great benefit may be conferred upon
the community and that an industry
Of commercial Importance. heretofore
unknown in the state, may be estab
lished II 1t becomes a law.
THE deprivation of the public in
the matter of venison as part of the
regular dietary is altogether unneces
sary and unreasonable. While wild
game should be amply protected and
means provided for its propagation, il
has been amply proved that a large
population cannot be kept supplied
from that source, and 1t is reasonable
and proper that states where 1t exists
should prohibit its export and sale, as
is the case now In all the eastern
states.
The Business Would Be Profitable.
THE sale of game bred and main.
tanned in Enclosures from stock which
has been legitimately acquired is a to-
tally different matter and should be
encouraged to the fullest extent.
Both official and unoficia. reports
20 tn show that several varieties of
deer can be profitably raised; that
they require less care and subsist
upor rougher food than any of the DO
nestle animals except the goat, and
that their value for food purposes
ranks with the best beef and mutton.
breeding stock can be had at pres.
emit at very low prices-$15 to s25 for
deer and $40 to SIS for elk CWapiti)
farmers bulletin No. $50, of the Unit
ed States department of agriculture.
the most available source of supply
is the surplus from private herds,
geological gardens and parks.
THE toughest waste lands with a
plentiful growth Of underbrush, weeds.
ETC., and running water are best suited
to the enterprise. Deer prefer to brouse
on scrub growth and to eat the coars-
est weeds rather than the best of hay.
When pasture is limited they do well
on ccrn. oats, wild hay and alfalfa.
so rapidly do white-tailed deer, the
common variety, increase that pre-
serves soon become overstocked un-
less their numbers are diminished
from time to time. A herd Of 10 head
which increases to 400 in ten years is
one not uncommon instance. The
does usually produce twins annually
after the second year, when they have
their first fauns.
The Rate Of Increase.
On our preserve In Pennsylvania,
where 80 deer were liberated ten
years ago. there are said to be nearly
1000 head. In many cases the fences
have had to be taken down to let
them escape owing to shortage OF
food.
1T Is probable that the wapiti, or
Rocky Mountain, elk, IL best suited to
breeding for market.
A mature elk viii weigh from 600
- LOO pounds. and the proportion Of