Wapiti/Elk

Wapiti, also known as North American Elk are a subspecies of Cervus Elpahus and while they resemble red deer superficially they are a distinctly North American animal.  They are a much larger animal, however pose no special problems in handling. An adult bull weighs up to 460 kg live-weight and an adult cow reaches up to 280 kg.

Wapiti/elk have a longer gestation period than red deer, 248-254 days, but with proper management they will start mating earlier in the breeding season.  Single sire mating is preferred at 1:40 ratios.

Wapiti/elk bulls are often used as terminal sires over red hinds as a means to increase venison production by allowing heavier carcase weights or a quicker time to reach a minimum target weight.

Wapiti/elk velvet generally has a thick beam, is substantially heavier than average red deer velvet and is the closest that New Zealand producers come to the more traditional Chinese and Russian product.