The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1896-01-09
BIG GAME IN THE OLYMPICS.
a Woodlands Reasons Why the Region
Should Become a Government Preserve.

| turned from Spokane from an eXpedi-
ton into the heart of the Olympic
| mountains. He was accompanied by
one companion, made the trip with
horses, and the only course laid and fol-
lowed was that already mapped out by
the broad elk trails which intersect
the country in every direction. The
trip was fruitful of great many inter-
esting things, though it had no other
object than to investigate the extent of
the grazing country that lies back of
the small range of mountains parallel
ing in way the coast line on the south
side of the Straits of San Juan de Fuca.
Mr.. Hawkins is now firmly convinced
that the government ought to at once
set apart a large area of the Olympic
mountains as grand game reserve, for
the protection of the big game on the
coast, which is fast being extermin-
ated. There is no doubt that the Olym-
pic mountains are the greatest elk
country in the union to-day, and up to
the present time but little known to the
big sportsmen of the country.
Soon after leaving the lower levels of
the Olympic mountains indications of
big game begin to show up in a most
wonderful manner. Broad trails,
which are veritable highways, cross the
I lower mountains in almost every di-
rection, leading from plateau to plateau,
from grass field to grass field, from
valley to valley. These trails run along
fhn tnir ciIo on1 hoE-a haa,,
much travelled that although they may
be on mountain side at an angle of 45
degrees they become almost fat from
long tramping, and as solid as the hills
themselves. These trails are two and
three feet broad, and so readily trav-
eled that MIR. Hawkins and his COM
panion had no difficulty in following
them on horseback so miles into the
mountains. They are sometimes OBJ
structed by fallen timber, but it is of
light kind, being above the regular
forest belt, and horse can easily sur
mount it. One beauty of the country is
that one cannot get off the trail.
1t is impossible to travel long through
the country without falling in with one
of these trails, and it always leads
somewhere. These trails, or elk high
ways, are as characteristic of the Olym-
pic mountains as the mounds are in
prairie dog village.
The elk country lies above the coun-
try adapted to agriculture, and even
above the forest belt, from which the
merchantable timber is reduced. 1t is
timbered, but the growth is that of the
Alaska cedar, not large, as timber is
considered in this country.
For the very reason that to make of
this n great elk and game preserve
would not interfere with nor curtail
either agricultural or timber interests
in this state, it is urged that the gov
eminent ought to set it apart as such.
On top of these mountains, which
reach an elevation of 1850 and 5000
feet above the sea. are to be found great
areas of bunch grass land several thou
sands of acres in extent. These are the
great elk pastures, to and from which
lead the broad paths referred to above.
In reaching this section Hawkins and
his fellow wanderer went in from Port
Angeles, but did not follow the govern
ment trail, which strikes boldly across
the mountains that come down close
upon the coast. They took the course
somewhat east of the town, and did not
go far till the last ranch was left be-
hind. They edged their way around
the first mountains, and thereafter laid
14
tributary of the Elwha. They had not
the least difficulty after leaving the set
Element in following the elk paths.
They made camp As or so miles in the
interior, and every day while out as
cended one or the other of the nearest
mountains to explore the elk pasturage
to be found near the top. At night
they returned to camp, and the follow
ing day took another elevation. Mount
Olympus, the senior grand of the peaks
in the coast range, stood out in its
grand magnifcence little southwest,
while Mount Constance was in an al
most directly opposite direction, and
almost or quite as far toward the east.
An area of several hundred miles in
territory could be included in great
game preserve in the center of these
mountains, and thus protect and per-
petuate indefinitely the noble game
that is there to be found.
The country, as whole, can never be
put to other use than possibly as a
grazing ground for isolated herds, and
this is improbable. AS it is at present,
the land is unsurveyed public domain,
and it is Mr.. Hawkins belief that con-
certed action ought TO be taken to have
the government declare it a public re-
serve, and preserve the game.
Small hunters have long been in the
habit of hunting elk in the mountains
near the settlements, but occasionally
are heard instances of shameful
slaughter on the part of reckless and
careless people. Last winter one Grim
inally inclined individual slaughtered
a hand of so head of elk which had been
driven into the foothills by the excessive
snowfall on the upper elevations
Portland Oregonian.
Stick to One Style.
The woman who cannot afford an as