Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1911-07-24
MOVEMENT OF ELkS
IN CHARGE OF GOV.

SHERIDAN, Wyo., July 24.-Ten
thousand head of wild elk trekking
across the state of Wyoming, guarded
and guided by 1000 United States cav
alrymen and as many cowboys and
ranchmen and sheep herders, is the
unusual spectacle to be seen in this
state sometime between now and win
ter, if the plans of state officials are
carried out.
The elk are at present in Jackson
Hole, in the extreme western edge of
the state. 1t is the intention of the
officials to remove them to the Big
Horn mountains, Just west of Shell
dan, and in the extreme northern Dor
ticn of the state, trek of probably
300 miles.
The animals are increasing; SO rap.
idly that the Jackson Hole country
is fairly overrun with them II is IS
timated that fully $4,000 head of elk
winter every year in the hole, anu
they simply eat the ranchmen cut OF
! house and home They are prcte'ted
nv the state laws and for except few
days in the fall the killing of IN elk
is a serious OffenSe.
No Longer Fear Man.
As result of the elk herd few
years ago small when stringent laws
of protection were passed, is now be-
come the largest herd Of wild animals
on earth, and its number is increas-
ing by leaps and bounds. The elk have
seemed to realize that they are safe
ard they do not fear man. In the win
ter. when the range is covered with
snow the elk invade the rancher's hay
stacks and eat every straw Fences
gre no protection against them.
The elk herd has finally become so
great a menace that the entire west
eln portion of the state is aroused to
save the ranches and farms. as well
as the sheep and cattle. The elk
threaten to strip the range of forage
and leave demonstrated animals to die
Of starvation.
The national government was ap-
realed to and the last session Of con-
gress appropriated $4,000 for the care
and preservation of the elk in wy.
cming. But this amount is simply a
drop in the bucket and it is known
by state officials that the great herd
must be made self-supporting if it is
to remain in existence
Big Horn Ideal Elk Home.
The Fig Horn mountains stretch
100 miles or more from north to south
They are a success sion of high peaks
and deep valleys and all are heavily
wooded It is an ideal country for
elk and other big game. The great
elk herd from Jackson Hole would
scatter and lose itself once it were
transported to the Bog Horn noun
tains. And there would be sufficient
provender to furnish food throughout
the winter without the least assist
ance from the state or others.
The state officials have determined
to move a big portion Of the herd from
the Hole to the Fig Horns. But t"
make the transfer by railroad is out
of the question because of the tre-
mendous expense. the distance by
railroad being something like LOCO
miles and neces stating a trip through
Idaho Utah, across Wyoming from
east to west and from north to south
and a long drive at either end. So it
has been determined to drive the elk
rs though they were cattle.
The United States government will
be asked for the loan Of I 1000 cavalry.
men from Fort Russell at Cheyenne
and Fort Mackenzie at Sheridan to
take part in the great drive. And to
this large force will be added 1000
herders. ranchmen. sheep herders and
others-a total driving force of 1000
mounted men. The great trek will not
take place until late fall or early
winter.
The only practical road into Jack
son Hole is from the west, so that the
big drive viii take that direction
Around the southern end of the Teton
range the great cavalcade will make
it's way and thence through central
Wyoming to the Rig Horn river. Down
this stream theelk will be driven and
not unit! the Big Horn mountains are
reached will the animals be permitted
freely to roam.
If the first drive is successful it is
the intention of the state officials to
move other elk early in the spring.