100 FISH AND GAME COMMISSION 



particularly heavy and sage hen conditions are satisfactory. The sooty 

 grouse is found in the pine country in practically all parts of the state 

 north of the Tehachapi. It is nowhere abundant, probably two to four 

 pair per mile would be the average abundance throughout its range. 

 Grouse in general have been reduced. However, in some sections they 

 have gained in number. The general reduction has not been from over 

 shooting but probably on account of the destruction of the nests by 

 sheep. 



In the northwest coast counties is found the western representative 

 of the eastern ruffed grouse. Unlike the sooty grouse that frequents 

 the pine ridges the ruffed grouse is found only in the heavy timber and 

 shaded dells along water courses. Its range extends south to Humboldt 

 Bay and east into Trinity County and the western part of Siskiyou 



County. 



PROTECTED GAME 



Of the former great herds of elk that ranged in the interior valleys 

 and in the upper country only a few hundred head remain. The Cali- 

 fornia elk was a valley loving species, not extending its range to the 

 High Sierra, reaching higher elevation only in the Coast range and then 

 probably only when crossing from the San Joaquin to the Santa Clara 

 and other coastal valleys. This species furnished much of the meat of 

 the pioneer and was reduced to a mere handful in the 70 's. A small 

 herd which remained in the vicinity of Buttonwillow, Kern County, 

 was given protection by Henry Miller, and is the remnant of the former 

 great California herd. It now numbers about 400 head. From this 

 herd from time to time a number have been moved to various parts of 

 the state but while at first they have been welcome, they rather quickly 

 wear out their welcome and there is a strong demand to have them 

 removed. 



There is a groAving herd on the floor of the Yo Semite Valley that will 

 have to be moved to a more secluded area before many months. Those 

 that were moved to Monterey County increased to such an extent tbat 

 it was necessary to move part of them. A number were sent to 

 western Yolo County but they have not thrived as well as in Monterey. 

 Other plants have been made but with scarcely an exception they have 

 not proved a welcome addition to the fauna of the region where lib- 

 erated. Something must be done very soon with the Buttonwillow herd. 

 With the cutting up of the land in that section there is no place for the 

 animals to range. Cultivated crops are destroyed, cotton bolls are fed 

 upon, just as dahlias were in Monterey. It is to be hoped that some 

 day soon a tract of land can be secured where this species of elk, pecu- 

 liar to California, may be perpetuated. 



There are now three species of elk in California, for there still ranges 

 in northwestern California at least 200 head of the Roosevelt elk 

 that in early days extended from San Francisco Bay on the coast north 

 into British Columbia. The plant of Jackson Hole elk that was 

 secured by C. C. McCray of Redding and liberated in the region between 

 the Pit and McCloucl rivers has increased, it has been estimated, to 

 nearly 200 head and now occupy a considerable area. Another herd 

 of elk, probably the Jackson Hole variety, is now ranging in the Sierra 

 west of Honey Lake. These were the elk that were held on the George 

 Wingfield property near Susanville and liberated at the time he gave 

 up the ranch. They number about twenty-five head. 



