RAISING DEER FOR PROFIT 277 
periods both deer will subsist very well in win- 
ter, the whitetail on browse, and the elk by 
pawing away light snow and eating the grass; 
but even where not required by the severity of 
the season regular winter feeding is advised. 
‘“‘Hay and cornfodder are excellent winter 
forage; but alfalfa hay has proved to be the 
best dry, food for both elk and deer. A little 
oats or corn—whole or chopped—may be fed 
each day. Elk are fond of corn, and feeding it 
affords excellent opportunities for winning 
their confidence and taming them. The same 
may be said of salt, which should be furnished 
liberally to all deer kept in enclosures. Run- 
ning water, although not essential, is of great 
importance in maintaining elk in good condi- 
tion.’’ If not closely confined elk do not gnaw 
the bark from trees nor eat evergreen foliage; 
but, like goats, they do clear out the thickets. 
The providing of a buck and a few does to 
start with is not very expensive; but a rather 
costly item of preparation is the fencing. Or- 
dinarily a five-foot fence is sufficient, especially 
in the case of elk, which are less inclined to 
jump than are other deer. Old bucks, and 
