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be no doubt of the success of ventures in propagating the Virginia 

 deer under natural conditions as wild game, as is proved by the 

 experience of a large number of hunting clubs and private owners. 



Deer in Buckwood Park, a New Jersey preserve of 4,000 acres, 

 belonging to Charles S. Worthington, increased in the ten years be- 

 tween 1892 and 1903 from 19 to about 400 head, and the number was 

 then lessened because it was thought too large for the permanent 

 sustaining capacity of the park. The St. Louis Park and Agricul- 

 tural Company have about 1,000 deer and 400 elk in their 5,000-acre 

 preserve in Taney County, Mo. The Otzinachson Rod and Gun Club 

 six years ago placed about 90 deer, mostly does, in their 4,000 acre 

 park in Clinton County, Pa. These have multiplied to nearly 2,000 

 head, and a further increase of about a thousand fawns is expected 

 during the present season (1908). Doubtless these experiences are 

 not exceptional. 



The good effect of such preserves on the supply of game in the 

 State should not be overlooked. While they may temporarily 

 restrict the hunting privileges of a few citizens, they ultimately be- 

 come a source of game supply secondary in importance only to State 

 preserves or game refuges. Already a number of private reserves 

 have become overstocked, and game has escaped or been turned over 

 to the State to become the property of the people. The success of 

 private enterprise in propagating large game in inclosures has thus 

 become an object lesson for State game commissioners and others, 

 and suggests the feasibility of the State's undertaking a similar work 

 for the people. 



GAME LAWS IN RELATION TO DEER FARMING. 



The chief obstacle to profitable propagation of deer in the United 

 States is the restrictive character of State laws governing the kill- 

 ing, sale, and transportation of game. Many of the States, follow- 

 ing precedent, lay down the broad rule that all the game animals in 

 the State, Avhether resident or migratory, are the property of the 

 State. A few States except game animals that are " under private 

 ownership legally acquired." A few others encourage private own- 

 ership by providing a way in which wild animals — deer and the 

 like — may be captured for domestication. Generally, when private 

 ownership of game is recognized by law, the right to kill such game 

 is granted, but the owner is hampered by the same regulations as to 

 season, sale, and shipment that apply to wild game. One by one, 

 however. State legislatures are coming to recognize the interests of 

 game propagators, and game laws are gradually being modified in 

 accordance with the change of view. 



The chief source from which deer and elk may be obtained for 

 stocking preserves is from animals already in captivity. These must 



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