The New York herald., 1922-07-09
GOVERNMENT WANTS
THE ELK PRESERVED
Finest of All Deer Has Dwin-
died in Country to About
$4,000.

The estimated number of elk remain
ing in two large groups in the United
States at the present time is only about
$4,000. according to the Biological Sur
vey of the United States Department OF
Agriculture. To insure the permanence
OF these splendid game animals. which
are among the largest and finest Of all
deer, the cooperation and coordination
Of Federal. State and all other inter-
ested agencies Is needed.
The elk OF the Yellowstone Park re-
gion constitute the only really large
herds Of big game remaining In the
United States, and although these num-
Der about $4,000 they are mere rem
nant OF the great herds which formerly
ranged from Maine to California. The
Northern group. which ranges within the
Yellowstone National Park In summer
and migrates northward, suffered great
ly from the adverse conditions of the
winter Of 1890.
The elk In the Southern group are
scattered In summer at high elevations
in the southern part of Yellowstone
Park and In the mountains Of the Teton.
Bridger. Wyoming and Washakio Ma
tional Forests. With the first heavy
snowfall they descend to lower levels.
where their winter range has become
more and more restricted by the coming
of settlers. Thousands of elk congre-
gate In the path Of their former migra-
tion In the vicinity of the winter refuge
maintained by the Biological Survey al
jackson. Wyo. A winter feeding ground
at this point attracts many elk. and II
has beon found necessary to furnish q
supply Of nay for them. Feeding Is no,
m xuh
winter forage In sufficient quantity Ia
available.
The other principal herds remaining
| on their native ranges are the Roosevelt
elk. confined to the Olympic Mountains
In northwest Washington, and smaller
isolated groups, mainly near the Pacific
coast. which include the valley elk In a
small area at the lower end of the San
Joaquin Valley, Cal II an elk Is esti-
mated to be worth SIS, the value of the
present herds In the United States would
be approximately $4,000. 900. which Is a
| substantial national asset.
Within the past ten years several
thousand head of elk have been trans.
ferred from the Yellowstone Park region
to localities In many States for restocl<-
ing purposes. In Arizona, where condi-
tions are suitable. these transplanted
herds are thriving. In other districts
IL has been demonstrated that II Is un-
wise to Introduce elk on restricted areas
near farming communities, as more or
less injury to crops occurs and claims
for damages are to be expected.
The high mortality among elk l., re-
cent years has been due partly to
weather conditions. such as periodical
summer droughts. followed by unusually
severe winters, and partly to the en-.
croachment of settlers. through whom
much suitable winter range is eliminated
Hunters kill elk as game, and many OF
the finest animals become victims OF
tooth hunters. operating Illegally. Noun.
tain lions. lynxes. wolves and coyotes
also kill many.
Adequate winter range. affording suf.
ficient forage. and adequate winter pro-
lection must be provided II elk are to be
maintained, even In moderate numbers
In the opinion of the United States De-
partment of Agriculture limited areas
OF hay land. urgently needed to sup
ply forage for winter use. should be
purchased.