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THE WAPITI OR AMERICAN El K The Wapiti deer is commonly known as the American elk and while once abundant is now rarely seen east of the Rocky Mountains In north ¬ western Colorado the herds are now represented by only a few hundred animals and in western Mon ¬ tana they are scattered over a wide region pro ¬ tected by heavy timber but are nowhere plentiful Wapiti are only plentiful in and around their great breeding ground the Yellowstone National Park but scarcity of food has greatly decreased their numbers during the past few years and poachers have helped toward their extermination exterminationThe The Wapiti like the bison and the white tail deer can thrive in wide surroundings It is at home among the high mountains in the deep forests and on the level plains The nose of the Wapiti is keen but its sight is inferior to that of the antelope but about as good as a deers Whenever Wapiti dwell in the mountains they make regular seasonal migrations In northern Wyoming they spend the summer in the Yellowstone Park region but in winter go south to Jacksons Hole HoleElk Elk hunting is one of the finest sports not only for the magnificent trophy these splendid deer af ¬ ford but also because the hunter in quest of them visits one of the most beautiful sections of our country for the Wapiti lives among lofty piuechtd mountains in a region of lakes and streams Wa ¬ piti are usually killed by stalking during the rutting season when the big bulls are in reckless mood and more fearless than at other seasons of the year yearIn In size the American elk is as tall as a horse handsomely formed and while not as large as the moose the small and shapely legs and hoofs of the elk stamps it a thoroughbred A good idea of the size of a fully grown elk may be gained from the following measurements of an eightyearold speci ¬ men Height at shoulders 56 inches total length of body and tail 86 inches widest spread of ant ¬ lers 35 inches length of antlers following curves 53 inches total live weight 706 pounds
