Casting for Trout in a Mountain Stream. 



of loss was higher than usual because the winter feeding grounds to which the 

 animals have resorted for years, had been leased for pasturage during the summer 

 months, when the elk make their home in the national park. Upon their return to 

 the lower altitudes in the fall, they found their feeding ground denuded and 

 descending into the valleys in search of food, the herd became scattered and 

 many of the elk, weakened by hunger, perished in the deep drifts. The govern- 

 ment and the ranchmen co-operated in furnishing feed so that an even greater 

 loss was averted during the latter part of the winter. 



The winter of 1917-1918 was very mild, so there was little loss of life among 

 these animals. Both years the deer and antelope wintered well, so there has been 

 no change regarding the taking of big game during the open season. 



Sport "With Danger. 



There is no closed season on bear, wolves, coyotes and cougars, which are 

 listed as predatory animals. Bears are much sought during the months of April. 

 May and June when their fur is prime. The animals are plentiful in the mountains 

 of the northwestern part of the state, in the Rockies and in the counties adjacent 

 to the national parks. They furnish great sport for the hunter and trapper, and 

 in addition to the valuable pelt, there is the added spice of danger in hunting them 

 during the early spring when they emerge from winter quarters, they are ravenously 

 hungry and inclined to give battle when opposed in their search for food. The 

 grizzly and "silver tip" are especially belligerent. 



Mountain lion, the natural destructive enemy of deer and young stock, are 

 much sought by professional hunters employed by the government. These hunters 



