WILD LIFE OF THE FOREST 39 



for both the summer and winter use of the ani- 

 mals that will inhabit it. 



Livestock is sometimes grazed on game ref- 

 uges, but only in small numbers, so that plenty of 

 grass will be left for the support of the wild 

 game. The refuges are under the direction of 

 the Federal and the State game departments. 

 To perpetuate game animals and game birds, it 

 is not enough to pass game laws and forbid the 

 shooting of certain animals and birds except at 

 special times of the year; it is also necessary 

 to provide good breeding grounds for the birds 

 and animals where they will not be molested or 

 killed. The game refuges provide such conditions. 



The division of the range country into small 

 farms and the raising of all kinds of crops have, 

 it is claimed, done more to decrease our herds of 

 antelope, elk, deer and other big game than have 

 the rifles of the hunters. The plow and harrow 

 have driven the wild life back into the rougher 

 country. The snow becomes very deep in the 

 mountains in the winter and the wild animals 

 could not get food were it not for the game ref- 

 uges in the low country. In the Yellowstone 

 National Park country great bands of elk come 

 down from the mountains during severe winters 



