The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1922-07-11
ELK NEED PROTECTION VI !, ::
" AND FORAGE in WINTER

The estimated number of elk re-
naming in two large groups in the
United States at the present time is
only about $4,000, according to the
biological survey Of the United
States Department Of Agriculture.
To insure the permanence Of these
splendid game animals, which arc
among the largest and finest of all
deer, the cooperation and co-ordina-
ton Of federal, state, and all other
interested agencies is needed.
The elk OF the Yellowstone Park
region constitute the only really
large herds Of big game remaining
in the United States, and although
these number about $4,000, they are
a mere remnant. of the great herds
which formerly ranged from Maine
to California. The northern group,
which ranges within the Yellowstone
National Park in summer and mi
CRATES northward, suffered greatly
from the adverse; conditions of the
winter of 1919-20.
The elk in the southern group are
scattered in summer at high eleva-
tons in the southern part of Yellow
stone Park, and in the mountains of
the Teton, .Bridger, Wyoming and
Rashakie National 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 ~congregate in the
path Of their former migration in the
vicinity of the" winter refuge main
tanned by, the biological survey at
Jackson, Wyo. A winter feeding
ground at this point attracts many
elk, and it has been found necessary
to furnish supply of hay for them.
Feeding is not recommended, how
ever, where natural winter forage in
sufficient quantity is available.
The other principal herds remain
ing on their native. ranges are the
Roosevelt elk, confined to, the Olym-
pic mountains. in northwest, Wash
ington, 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, Calf If an elk is
estimated to be, worth $75, the value
Of the present herds in the United
States would be approximately $4,-
100000, which is a substantial ma
tional asset, :, ,..,,e..
Within the past 10 years several
thousand head of elk have been
transferred from the: Yellowstone
Park region to localities in many
states for restocking purposes. In
Arizona, where conditions are suit
able, these <transplanted herds are
thriving. In other districts it has
been demonstrated that it is unwise
to introduce elk on restricted areas
near farming communities as more
or less injury to crops occurs and t
claims for damages are to be expect
ed. i
, The high mortality among elk in
recent years has been due partly to
weather conditions, such as; periodi-
cal summer droughts followed by un-
usually severe winters, and partly to
the encroachment of settlers, through
whom much suitable winter range is
eliminated. Hunters kill elk as game
and many Of the finest animals be-
come victims of tooth-hunters oper-
ating illegally. Mountain lions,
lynxes, wolves and coyotes also kill
many. , ~ i. q,
Adequate winter range, atfordinc
sufficient forage, and adequate win
ter protection must be provided if
elk are to be maintained even in
moderate numbers. In the opinion
of the United States Department Of
Agriculture, limited areas of hay
land IRE urgently needed to, supply
forage for winter use should be pur-
chased. =. ~ ...-.
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