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yoiino- and coiitinuiiiii' the petting process with the entire herd. He 

 visited the animals daily in the pasture and always carried dainties 

 to feed them. As the bulls became old and developed signs of 

 viciousness, they were castrated, younger animals being used for 

 breeding. He thus developed a thoroiiglily domesticated herd. 



For economic reasons, it is not always possible to follow Mr. Strat- 

 ton's plan. Those who grow the animals for venison and in large 

 preserves would find it impracticable to tame all the calves. How- 

 ever, if elk or deer are grown for stocking parks or private preserves, 

 the tamer they are the easier it will be to handle and ship them. 



Range. — In choosing a range for elk, the natural food supply is 

 inxportant. The}' thrive best in preserves having a variety of food 

 plants — grasses, bushes, and trees. Rough lands, well watered with 

 clear streams and having some forested area, are well adapted to their 

 needs. About as many elk can be kept on such a range as cattle on 

 an equal area of fair pasture. There should be thickets enough to 

 furnish winter broAvse, but this should be supplemented by a supply 

 of winter forage. 



Food. — Except when deep snows cover the ground, elk will keep in 

 good condition on ordinary pasture and browse: but a system of 

 management that provides other food regularl}^ will be found more 

 satisfactory. Hay and corn fodder are excellent w^inter 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 inclos- 

 ures. Running water, although not essential, is of great importance 

 in maintaining elk in good condition. 



Fence. — Elk are much less nervous than ordinary deer, and less 

 ■ disposed to jump fences. "When they escape from an inclosure they 

 usually return of their own accord. If tame, they may be driven 

 like cattle. Ordinarily, a 5-foot fence of any kind w^ill confine elk. 

 Henrv^ Binning, of Cora, Wyo., writes us that a 4:-foot woven-wire 

 fence is ample for these animals. A small inclosure in which a 

 vicious bull elk is to l)e kept should be higher and of stronger mate- 

 rial. Mr. Russ's report, already partl}^ quoted, states that where 

 lumber for posts is cheap a good elk fence may be built for $200 a 

 mile. But the actual cost Avill, of course, vary greatly according to 

 style, price of labor, nearness to market, and other <.urcumstances. 



Cost of stock. — The cost of stocking an elk preserve is not great. 

 Usually surplus stock from zoological parks or small private pre- 

 serves may be obtained at low cost, varying with the immediate de- 

 mand for the animals. At times they have sold for less than $20 a 



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