The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1923-09-04
PARK IS MECCA
FOR GAME THAT
WADES HUNTER
Wild Life in Yellowstone
National Park one of
Great Features of Play
Ground

Yellowstone Park.-An old buck an
telope has been frequenting the hay
field down near the Gardinar Gatewa,
arch. In response TO a tourists in
quiry as to the whereabouts OF tn,
remainder of the herd one OF the parl
old timers insisted that this buck hac
been sent down from the high range.
as a scout to ascertain the prospects
for free hay during the winter.
This report is not confirmed by the
rangers, who insist that the antelope
prefer sweet sage to hay any day, but
at any rate calls attention to the fact
that the hay-cutting this month as
sures a great reserve of feed against
any hardship that may befall Yellow
stones animals as a result of a hard
winter. Hay for the game is either
raised or cut wild at four separate
areas within the park, at Slough
Creek. at the Buffalo ranch, at YAM
ceys place near Garnet peak, and in
the vicinity of Gardiner Gateway. Ap-
proximately one thousand tons OF rich
timothy, clover and natural hay has
been stacked this summer.
This haying operation is but one of
many steps that are taken annually
for the protection and preservation of
the wild life OF Yellowstone National
Park. This region is the greatest pre-
serve for wild game in the world. both
in point OF number and variety of an
imals. 1t is the home of the largest
herd OF elk, buffalo, antelope and
mountain sheep within the United
States. Several hundred moose range
the park area. There are deer of the
Whitehall and mule varieties, many
beavers, foxes. badgers. porcupine and
lesser animals. Dozens of grizzlies
and black bears which entertain the
tourists during the summer, sleep in
Nellowstones caves during the win
ter. The white gulls on Yellowstone
Lake leave in the fall for the Pacific
coast or Great Salt Lake, but a great
many geese and ducks and grouse win
ter i'll the park.
After the three months tourist sea-
son, which ends on Sept 20, Yellow
stone Park loses its summer aspect as
national playground, and becomes
essentially big game preserve. The
animals here are a great heritage to
the nation, reminding of old days now
vanishing forever. There was time
when, in the picturesque language OF
the Indians, the western plains were
"one great buffalo robe Antelope |
and elk and mountain sheep were nu-
merous beyond estimate. But now
the lingering herds OF these animals
make their last stand in Yellowstone.
aided by good willed men who have
their interests at heart. The park per-
sonnel appreciates this great response
bility and looks to the welfare OF the
animals with unlimited earnestness
and devotion.
There are great many problems IN
the care OF wild life in the Yellow
stone. An important one of these is
the provision of reserve OF feed that
will be Immediately available against
any extraordinary conditions that may
arise as a result of weather conditions.
In l9l8-l9 there was a devastating
storm in the early winter This sent
many animals, and particularly the
elk, hurrying TO lower areas outside
the park in search of feeding grounds.
Thousands were slaughtered by un-
scrupulous hunters. Other thousands
were saved by emergency arrange
ments for feeding which prevented the
animals from leaving the park bounds.
To prevent the recurrence of any such
disaster hay is now grown regularly
within the park.
Under even normal conditions ap-
two thousand elk will in
The late winter seek government hay
ration at Slough Creek. while from
hive hundred to one thousand are likely
to appear in the Gardiner Canyon.
Deer also seek the friendly aid OF man
in subsisting through the winter. Be- |,
sides the hay casters there are about ,
twenty "beggar" deer which maintain ,
themselves in part by back-door hand |
outs from residents at Mammoth Hot II
Springs.
The herd of tame" buffalo. number
ing nearly seven hundred. grazes the ,
Lamar Valley until the natural feed is
gone. and then goes to the Buffalo