146 COMMISSION OF C O N S E R \' A T I O X 



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 yoimg, 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, 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 dry hay. They 

 live from twenty to twenty-five years. They are easily confined by a 

 woven wire or barbed wire fence 6| feet in height. 



"I 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 disappearing 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 im- 

 portance of securing legislation that will permit the marketing of 

 domesticated venison at all seasons of the year " 



In conclusion your committee would again urge upon this Associ- 

 ation such action by resolution as will give emphasis to our desire that 



