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Show I Zion Deer Included In Research Project I Frank Obrrhansley, superln-I superln-I ten don t of Zion National Park. annouiK"ed the participation of the-park in a Utah Department of Fish and Game sponsored study stu-dy to assess those factors that inlluence the flavor and palati-billty palati-billty of venison. Such elements us field care, aging, processing, and cooking are weighed against the sex and age of the animal, the season of year taken and it's general physical condition. Dr. J. B. Low, bureau of sport fisheries and wildlife biologist, and leader of the Utah Cooperative Coopera-tive Wildlife Research Unit at Utah State University, is the principal investigator in this long range study which is now in its sixth year. Deer have been collected col-lected for this study primarily from the deer ranges in the northern nor-thern part of the state, but Zion was selected as a collection area when the need for animals without with-out fat were required. Mr. Oberhansley emphasized ! that not all doer that winter on th floor of Zion Canyon are in poor condition. In fact, the reverse re-verse is true, but there is a small segment of this herd that fails to lollow its normal instincts to migrate into the high country each summer. This year-round residency in Zion Canyon apparently appar-ently leads to cither a protein or mineral deficiency which results re-sults in deer in poor vigor and appearance when contrasted to the fine specimens that move in from the rim country at this time of year. Dr. Low visited Zion this past week and collected five of these undernourished animals for use in the meat flavor study. In addition, ad-dition, blood, lung, and heart samples were taken In connection connec-tion with other related studies being carried out at the University. Univer-sity. The ultimate objective of the primary study is to gain Information Inform-ation on which to determine the best time of year to hunt deer, thereby increasing the quality of I the hunt and reducing waste of valuable high-protein meat The Park Service Is always willing! B3 to cooperate in bonafide research efforts and is ever interested In learning more about the wildlife entrusted to its care. |