Yaks come to Cowboy Country.

AuthorSTEVENS, M. EASTLAKE

The Latest in exotic ranching makes solid economic sense.

The National Western Stock Show held its first yak auction last year. But yak ranching is nothing new for Tad Puckett, who has 700 acres in Doyleville, 20 miles southeast of Gunnison.

Puckett's spread wouldn't support a cattle herd, but it's enough to support the second-largest yak herd in North America, some 150 head. Puckett also has a herd of about 10 elk he is crossbreeding to produce stately white elk, plus reindeer, bison and 40 European Wisent buffalo, the only private herd in North America. Puckett's breeding the bison with American buffalo to create a vigorous hybrid.

Puckett's exotic collection is no freak show. It represents a deliberate, perhaps far-sighted, decision to sidestep punishing cattle-ranching economics.

"It's all about return on...

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