318 AGRICULTURAL APPROPRIATION BILL, 1924. 



Mr, Andersox. Yes. 



Doctor Nelsox. \'erv great increases. That we will take up later, 

 when we come to that item. 



Mr. AxDERSox. The next item is on page 232. 



SULLYS lULL XATIOXAL PARK GAME PRESERVE. 



Doctor Nelsox. For Sullys Hill Reservation. X. Dak., there is an 

 appropriation of .So, 000, which has been continued for some years, for 

 purpose of caring for this reservation and for making certain improve- 

 ments needed for its proper maintenace. These improvements are 

 now in an advanced state, and the place is very popular with the ' 

 residents of tlio surrounding country. Owing to the fact, of which ' 

 you probably are all aware, that North Dakota is a rather flat countrv 

 and here is n little hilly region bordering Devils Lake, with a small 

 tract of woodland on it, it makes a very popular picnic ground and 

 resort for the people of all that region. I am told that they come from 

 as far as 200 miles away to have picnics at this place, and on pleasant 

 days hundreds of people coiue there. In addition to maintaining the 

 game there we are trying to accommodate the people. We have built 

 a woman's rest house. We are also putting in a little water service, 

 so that the people who come there can get water easily, and a parking 

 place, as well as other simple improvements. 



Mr. Ik'CHANAX. Is this Government land ? 



Doctor Nelson. Yes; it is owned by the Govemment. 



Mr. BucHANAX. Do you call that a game reservation? 



Doctor Nelson. Yes: it is a game reservation. 



Mr. BucHAXAX. Whnt sort of game ( 



Doctor Nelson. Buffalo,, elk, and deer. 



Mr. Buchanan. Is it fenced? 



INCRE.\SE IN NUMBER OF BUFF.\LO. 



Doctor Nelson. Yes. It might be of interest, before I leave this f 

 game reservation matter, to state that in the United States at the 

 present time there are nine Government herds of bison containing 

 1,140 animals. There are also a considerable number of private 

 herds, so that the bisoji. all told, in the United States number about 

 3,527. In Canada they have over 6,000, so there are now in existence 

 in North vVmerica approximately 10.000 bison, whereas a few yeare 

 ago they were on the verge <^>f extinction. 



Mr. Andersox. They are not very far from it yet — 10,000 is not 

 verv many. 



Dortoi' Xki.so.n. Well, it is enough to be encouraging, in view of the 

 fact that the bison breed in captivity just as freely as cattle. They 

 have increased from a little handful to 10,000 in a comparatively few 

 years, and they are scattered over Canacla and various parts of the 

 Ignited States, so that the future of the bison is practically assured. 

 They can be maintained ami will be maintained. 



.Mr. BrniANAN. Do thev get as gentle as cattle^ 



l)o(t(»r Xki.son. Nt>; thoy are rather dangerous. For instance, 

 up in (»ur Montana bison range, where we have nearlv r>00. they let 

 you ri<le u^) to within a short distance of I hem. but if you get on" foot 

 they are bUely to conu' after you, particularly some of the cows. 



