34 RAISING DEER IN THE UNITED STATES. 



He has an offer of 40 cents a pound for the dressed carcasses in St. 

 Louis. If, as he claims, he can produce elk meat cheaper than beef, 

 pork, or mutton, this should be a remunerative price. He thinks that 

 large areas in the Alleghenies and Ozarks not now utilized could be 

 economically adapted to produce venison for sale, and he regards 

 the American elk as especially suited for forest grazing. 



Mr. Euss, in a letter dated Eureka Springs, Ark., March 7, 1908, 

 sent the Department of Agriculture, through H. N. Vinall, Bureau 

 of Plant Industry, the following answers to the several questions 

 propounded : 



Question 1. How many acres per elk of forest land is needed for best results? 



Answer. Much depends upon the character of the forest land. In this section 

 of the Ozark Mountains an average of 5 acres to the head. In other sections a 

 larger area will be necessary. The larger the area the better the results. One 

 hundred elk will fare better in a 500-acre inclosure than one elk confined on 5 

 acres. 



Question 2. Would it be possible for individuals to raise elk under grazing 

 permits in large tracts like the national forests without fencing, by some method 

 of feeding in a certain place or by herding? 



Answer. We think it possible to raise elk by individuals having permits in 

 the national forests, by a system of feeding in certain places, thereby locating 

 these animals on the range best fitted for them, and by loose herding by well- 

 trained men familiar with their habits. But there are so many contingencies 

 to be reckoned with on an open range that in our opinion it would be far 

 preferable to fence. 



Question 3. What is the cost per mile in forest land of an elk fence? 



Answer. Again, much depends on distance from railroad, cost of labor, etc. ; 

 but ordinarily where posts and stays cost nothing but the making of them a 

 good elk fence can be built for about $200 per mile. 



Question 4. Will the elk do any considerable damage to a forest in restricting 

 the growth of young trees of valuable species? 



Answer. Elk will feed on buds and leaves 8 feet above the ground, and any 

 growth up to or under this is liable to be eliminated, depending upon the amount 

 of such food. Unless the range is very much restricted they will not eat the 

 bark from trees, neither will they resort to any species of evergreen. (PL IV.) 



Question 5. What has been the per cent of increase in your herd under domes- 

 tication? 



Answer. The increase in elk under domestication is equal to that of cattle. 



Question 6. What is the average weight of an adult male? Of a female? 

 Answer. Male, 700 to 1,000 pounds ; female, 600 to 800 pounds. 



Question 7. Will they not give a greater per cent of dressed meat than 

 cattle? 



Answer. Yes; but owing to the game laws our experience has been limited 

 to a few animals. The per cent of dressed meat is much more. 



