124 COMMISSION OF CONSERVATION 
stocking parks and for venison may be made as profitable as that of any 
other live-stock industry, and that untillable land may be utilized as 
preserves for the animals. 
Mr. R. H. Harris, a member of this committee, who resides at 
Clarksville Texas, was requested to contribute his views upon the 
raising of deer as an industry. He writes as follows: 
“Having been actively engaged in this business for some years, I 
feel qualified to speak on the subject with clearness and conviction. 
I find that the Virginia deer is adapted to almost every section of the 
United States. It fawns in May or June of each year, each doe usually 
bringing two young. The young mature rapidly. Virginia deer are the 
most beautiful, graceful and healthful animals known. No other 
meat is equal to venison as a diet for the sick, it being easily digested 
and agreeing with the most delicate stomachs. The demand for both 
venison and skins is unlimited. The flesh, being in wide demand in 
cities, especially in restaurants and cafes, is very high-priced. 
“These deer are easily tamed; the wildest fawns, if taken from the 
herd when young, will in a few hours become as gentle as a pet dog. 
I have for several years been raising them in large numbers. They run 
at will in woodlands and fields, are never handled, but fed occasionally, 
and are as gentle as a herd of common cattle. They are easily and 
cheaply raised and seldom, if ever, die from natural causes. After 
years of practical experience, I unhesitatingly state that the raising 
of deer is in profitableness second only to the raising of cattle. 
“The cost of feeding deer averages about one-half cent each per day. 
They feed on all kinds of vegetables, buds, and leaves of trees, grow- 
ing wheat, clover, peas, barley, oats, etc. Cotton seed is also a very 
cheap and satisfactory food for them. They also eat corn, bran, fruits 
and, in fact, anything that man or beast will eat, except diy hay. They 
live from twenty to twenty-five years. They are easily confined by a 
woven wire or barbed wire fence 64 feet in height. 
“T strongly urge this Association to appeal to our government to 
protect and encourage the industry of deer raising, believing it to be 
one of the most profitable and practicable industries now in prospect 
for our people. It is unnecessary to urge the need of quick and ener- 
getic action, for this noble animal is fast disappeaiing and is without 
adequate protection. Its extinction would eliminate from our conti- 
nent what ought to be an industry equal in value to the raising of 
cattle, hogs, or sheep; and I would urge upon this Association the 
importance of securing legislation that will permit the marketing of 
domesticated venison at all seasons of the year.................. ae 
