RAISING DEER FOR PROFIT 279 
there are 250,000,000 acres of land not suited 
to tillage or to the pasture of cattle, horses 
or sheep, which are well adapted to goats.’’ 
Much of this land, it has been well suggested, 
is suited also to deer, and can be utilized for 
these animals with less injury to the forest- 
cover than would result from the browsing of 
goats. 
A herd of whitetail favorably located and 
properly cared for will increase in a steady and 
rapid ratio. The rutting season is in Novem- 
ber, and the fawns are born in May and June. 
A doe will breed when 18 months old, and at 
first produces only, a single fawn, but after- 
ward usually two fawns. Certain diseases, es- 
pecially ‘‘black tongue,’’ are to be feared, but 
an annual increase of 60 or 70 per cent. may be 
confidently looked for. Like elk the whitetails 
require a certain amount of winter feed; and 
also should have shelter provided against the 
winter storms. A stack of clover or pea hay to 
“which they may have free access in winter is 
recommended; and they need plenty of water 
—a stream or pond being especially good for 
them. 
