The best wild animal to furnish a serious food supply is the white-tailed deer. This is because of its persistence and fertility. The elk is too large for general use. An elk carcass can not be carried on a horse; it is impossible to get a sled or a wagon to where it lies; and so, fully half of it usually is wasted! The mule deer is good for the Rocky Mountains, and can live where the white-tail can not; but it is _too easy to shoot_! The Columbian black-tail is the natural species for the forests of the Pacific states; but it is a trifle small in size. THE EXAMPLE OF VERMONT.--In order to show that all the above is not based on empty theory,--regarding the stocking of forests with deer, their wonderful powers of increase, and the practical handling of the damage question,--let us take the experience and the fine example of Vermont. In April, 1875, a few sportsmen of Rutland, of whom the late Henry W. Cheney was one, procured in the Adirondacks thirteen white-tailed deer, six bucks and seven does. These were liberated in a forest six miles from Rutland, and beyond being protected from slaughter, they were left to shift for themselves. They increased, slowly at first, then rapidly, and by 1897, they had become so numerous that it seemed right to have a short annual open season, and kill a few. From first to last, many of those deer have been killed contrary to law. In 1904-5, it was known that 294 head were destroyed in that way; and undoubtedly there were others that were not reported. ACCOUNT OF DEER KILLED IN VERMONT, OF RECORD SINCE KILLING BEGAN, IN 1897 _From John W. Titcomb, State Game Commissioner, Lyndonville, Vt., Aug. 23, 1912_ By By By Wounded By By Average Gross Year Hunters, Hunters, Dogs Deer Railroad Various Weight Weight Legally Illegally Killed Trains Accidents (lbs.) (lbs.) 1897* 103 47 1898 131 30 40 3 1899 90 1900 123 1901 211 1902 403 81 50 13 14 171 68,747 1903 753 199 190 142,829 1904 541 1905 497 163 74 22 18 17 198 1906 634 200 127,193 1907 991 287 208 62 31 21 196 134,353 1908 2,208 207 457,585 1909 4,597 381 168 69 24 72 155 716,358 * First open season after deer restored to state in 1875.