FOEEST SERVICE. 229 



the practicability of its administration by the Federal Government 

 are evidenced by the action of several Eastern States in ceding to the 

 Federal Government the right to regulate the taking of game upon 

 forest land acquired by the Government. Such action has in no way 

 decreased the interest of these States in the game situation, but has 

 strengthened the relationship between the State and Federal agencies. 



A sustained and increasing annual yield of game may be perma- 

 nently secured without impairment of the stock, and depleted areas 

 may be restored either by distribution or by the regulation of or 

 temporary restriction upon hunting. There are many noteworthy 

 examples of possibilities along these lines. One is the beaver, whose 

 introduction and protection have often led to such increases in num- 

 bers that reduction through regulated trapping frequently becomes 

 necessary to check serious injury to property. Another is the deer, 

 which under reasonable regulation makes marvelous gains in num- 

 bers, with a constant increase in hunting opportunities. The Federal 

 game refuge created in 1906 within the Kaibab National Forest, in 

 northern Arizona, and administered by the Forest Service, affords an 

 excellent example of the capacity of deer to multiply rapidly under 

 protection. The number of deer upon this area is not accurately 

 knoAvn, but estimates now range from 10,000 to 30,000 head, despite 

 yearly migrations to adjoining regions. To the motorist tra- 

 versing this forest, deer are a common sight, frequently outnumbering 

 the domestic cattle observed en route. Comparable results are 

 obtainable with other species and in other regions. Experience con- 

 clusively demonstrates that wild life responds quickly to simple and 

 rational forms of management and that reasonable regulation does 

 not reduce, but in the long run markedly increases, the amount of 

 game which may be taken annually. The significance of this is that 

 the national forests, without any impairment of their present pur- 

 poses, can be made to contribute greatly to the pleasure and profit of 

 the public through more aggressive development of their capacity to 

 produce game animals, bhds, and fish. The promotion of healthful, 

 vigorous types of sport would alone justify the effort required. 

 There are also large economic possibilities of food and fur production, 

 which systematically developed would annually contribute toward 

 our national needs millions oi dollars' worth of meat and skins. 



As a first step in determining the requirements of wild life on the 

 national forests, an effort has been made to secure reliable data on 

 the number and species of game animals. Estimates so far sub- 

 mitted on the more important big-game species indicate that the 

 national forests contain nearly half a million deer of several species, 

 reported as existing on 86 forests. Elk formerly occurred in nearly 

 every State, but the larger number are now confined to national for- 

 ests and national parks in 14 States. Of a total of 72,000 elk reported 

 in existence in the United States several years ago, a majority find 

 range on the national forests some time during the year. The once 

 large herds of antelope found in all Western States have been almost 

 annihilated, but the 2,400 head now existing on the national forests 

 in 10 States constitute the nucleus of future herds. A total of 

 13,000 mountain sheep in 11 States, and 10,000 mountain goats in 4 

 States are reported. A few representatives of many other big game 

 species are still found in widely scattered sections of the national for- 



