The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-12-05
GAME IN THE YELLOWSTONE PARK.
All the species Except the BunAIoes and
AnteIopea In Good Condition.

WASHINGTON. Dec. 4.-The Superintendent
of the Yellowstone National Park has forwarded
to Secretary Bliss a supplementary report in
which he deals with the condition and numbers
of the big game in the park. The Interior De-
partment is particularly anxious to prev ent the
daughter Of big game by the hunters Of the
neighboring regions. and q letter from Lieut..
Lindsey of the Fourth Cavalry shows what 10
being done in that line to prevent it. Lieut..
Lindsey says that few signs of buffaloes wero
found during the summer; but he is confident
of finding at least twenty-five OF the animals
when snowshoe time sets in. and perhaps double
that number: and now that Idaho has followed
Montana and Wyoming in prohibiting the kill
ing Of buffaloes. he expects to preserve them
from further attacks of the poachers.
Moose are increasing in numbers in the south
ern part of the park. especially In the southern
forest preserve, where there are moro moose
than in all the rest of the park. Lieut.. Lindsey
recommends that this reserve be placed in the
park itself. He gives a glowing account Of the
condition OF the elk in the park. He happened
TO be at the southern boundary Of the forest 70
serve when the FIRST snow fell, on Oct. Is and ID.
and saw that the country about jackson Lake
was literally alive with elk. II was. estimated
that 10000 crossed the southern boundary this
fall. The bands of elk winter in different parts
of the surrounding country; some go down the
Madison. some down the Gallatin, and some
down the Yellowstone. All that survive re-
turn to the park a. soon as the snow
will permit to raise their yeung, :Atleast 5000
early winter. Last season was a very severe
one. and the elk suffered greatly. but It is
thought that tho herd Is not diminished. OF
those that winter In the park the largest herd
ranges north OF the Yellowstone River in that
to cut OF from the park. Lieut.. Lindsey says
that It. Il doubtful II any more would winter in
the park under any circumstance, The be- park
but not enough winter range for 10000,
There are many deer and they are, very tame.
Their protection as yet offers no problem. About
200 winter in the immediate vicinity Of the post.
Last winter drove many Of the antelopes from
the psrk. and where there were | 900 last year
there are now not more than half that number.
The antelopes are threatened with extinction by
the coyotes. which Kill some and worry them all.
not done TO rid tho park OF them, the antelopes
will cease to winter In the park and will not re-
There are plenty OF bears and a few wolver.
ines and mountain lions In the park. OF the
fur-bearing animals tho beavers seem to be do
Ing tho best. They are scattered all along the
waterways. and there are more of them now
moiestsd they will rapidly increase. They are
difficult 70 protect, as their skins arc quite val
creased since the barren streams have been
sto ked with fish; Mink, foxes; badgers, mar
tens, wildcats; and rabbits are plentiful, Lieut..
"on the whole the pars Is a great sncoess as a
game gan sh pr sSnSs on T n w SaTie \ t Of s Hnsaiss Il grss s.
factory. The exceptions are. first. tho bufIaloes,
which are undoubtedly away from their natural
which are suffering for lack OF suitable winter
range and from the coyotes. The elk problem
Is not n serious one AS yet, but IL undoubtedly
will be in u few years, unless more suitable ter
ritory ia provided for winter range. This terri
tory can now DO acquired with little difficulty
and at Insignificant expense. and II IL Is acquired
promptly there always wilibe elk hunting about
the edges of the park. The longer the acquisl
ton ofthis winter range ia deferred the more
difficult it will he, until, perhaps, a few genera
tons hence the ok problem viii become as din
Gull as that OF the buffalo Is now"
on the morning OF Nov. ! a large band OF an
telOpes from the slopes OF Mount Evarts driftcC
across the north boundary OF the park. Tn,
ever watchful hunters were on hand, and befor,
they could be stopped they killed ten Of the an
telopes. Later in The day Lieut.. Lndsley and
detachment OF men formed a long skirmiSh lin
and hsrded them back into the park.