Page 393 - Our Vanishing Wild Life

BREEDING GAME AND FUR IN CAPTIVITY 371
diminish and disappear. In any event, a fenced range is absolutely essential; and the best fence is the Page, 88 inches high, all horizontals of No. 9 wire, top and bottom wires of No. 7, and the perpendicular tie- wires of No. 12. This fence will hold deer, elk, bison and wild horses. In large enclosures, the white-tailed deer is hardy and prolific, and when fairly cooked its flesh is a great delicacy. In Vermont the average weights of the deer killed in that state in various years have been as fol- low:—in 1902, 171 lbs.; in 1903, 190 lbs.; in 1905, 198 lbs.; in 1906, 200 lbs.; in 1907, 196 lbs.; in 1908, 207 lbs.; and in 1909, 155 lbs. The rea- son for the great drop in 1909 is yet to be ascertained.
In 1910, in New York City the wholesale price of whole deer carcasses was from 22 to 25 cents per pound. Venison saddles were worth from 30to35centsperpound. Onthebilloffareofafirstclasshotel,aportion of venison costs from $1.50 to $2.50 according?; to the diner's location. It is probable that such prices as these will prevail only in the largest cities, and therefore they must not be regarded as general.
Live white-tailed deer can be purchased for breeding purposes at pricesrangingfrom$25to$35each. Agoodeasternsourceofsupplyis Blue Mountain Forest, Mr. Austin Corbin, president (Broadway and Cortlandt St., New York). In the West, good stock can be procured from the Cleveland-Cliffs Iron Company, through C. V. R. Townsend, Negaunee, Mich, whose preserve occupies the whole of Grand Island, Lake Superior.
The Department of Agriculture has published for free distribution a pamphlet entitled "Raising Deer and Other Large Game Animals" in the United States, by David E. Lantz, which contains much valuable information, although it leaves much unsaid.
All breeders of deer are cautioned that during the fall and early winter months, all adult white-tailed bucks are dangerous to man, and should betreatedaccordingly. Ameasureofsafetycanbesecuredinalarge park by compelling the deer always to keep at a respectful distance, and makingno"pets,"whatever. Wheneverabuckfindshishornsandloses his fear of man, climb the fence quickly. Bucks in the rutting season sometimes seem to go crazy, and often they attack men, wantonly and dangerously. Themethodofattackistoanunarmedmanalmostirre- sistible. The animal lowers his head, stiffens his neck and with terrible force drives straight forward for your stomach and bowels. Usually thereareeightsharpspearsofbonetoimpaleyou. Thebestdefense of an unarmed man is to seize the left antler with the left hand, and with the right hand pull the deer's right front foot from under him. Merely holding to the horns makes great sport for the deer. He loves that un- equal combat. The great desideratum is to put his fore legs out of commission, and get him down on his knees.
Does are sometimes dangerous, and inflict serious damage by rising on their hind feet and viciously striking with their sharp front hoofs. These tendencies in American deer are mentioned here as a duty to per- sons who ma}' de.sire to breed deer for profit.