328 EXTINCT AND VANISHING MAMMALS 



population of that province at 15,000, and there have been two 

 short open seasons. In certain districts they have even ex- 

 tended their range north of the South Red Deer River, as well 

 as into the adjacent parts of Montana and Saskatchewan. 

 In the latter province there was an open season in 1936 during 

 which 267 antelope were taken. 



In Mexico the situation is less clear, but Nelson's (1925) 

 report gives an estimate of about 2,400 animals, of which 500 

 are in Lower California, the rest being in the States of Sonora 

 adjoining and Chihuahua, Durango, and Coahuila to the east- 

 ward. In Lower California the pronghorn was formerly 

 found over much of this desert country nearly to the tip of the 

 peninsula, which is mountainous and unsuitable for them. 

 At present the range extends, according to Nelson, only to the 

 basal half, on the plains east of the central mountain range, 

 and on the Desert of Vizcaino west of it. With the establish- 

 ment of a close season at the time of Nelson's report, he be- 

 lieved that their prospect of surviving in these sparsely settled 

 desert lands was very good. 



From the human viewpoint pronghorn antelope may be a 

 source of food in some areas, and they have an esthetic and 

 recreational value as well for those who enjoy the sight of wild 

 game or take pleasure in hunting it with gun or camera. 

 Large herds such as gather in winter may, on the other hand, 

 cause some competition with grazing stock of which ranchmen 

 are jealous. On the whole, however, it seems that the preserva- 

 tion of the species at least in certain large areas of our West is 

 well assured at present and that its numbers can be readily 

 controlled where the necessity exists. Some pertinent sugges- 

 tions for the management of this antelope in the arid South- 

 west have been put forth by Dr. W. P. Taylor (1936), who 

 points out that in these regions herds of pronghorns in severe 

 winter weather are wont to come down off the mountains to 

 lower levels where they come into competition with cattle on 

 the ranches for winter food. Ordinarily they do not like sheep 

 ranges but prefer those suitable for larger stock. These factors 

 are often of critical value in the selection of reserves for their 

 preservation. The ranchmen have often done much to en- 

 courage these animals and give them protection. 



