THIRTIETH BIENNIAL REPORT l()1 



ANTELOPE 



There are at present several hundred head of antelope in the north- 

 western part of California. This species is receiving excellent protec- 

 tion and is increasing in number in that section. The Mt. Dome herd 

 in Siskiyou County continues to increase and there is no reason to 

 believe that any have been killed. The largest number, between two 

 and three thousand head, are to be found in eastern Lassen County on 

 game refuge 1-Q. 



A small band is still to be found in western Fresno County but it is 

 unlikely that they can very much longer withstand the advance of agri- 

 culture. Their range is now replaced by fields of potatoes, grain, cot- 

 ton and other crops. 



Probably nowhere in the west were antelope more abundant per 

 square mile than they were forty or fifty years ago in the Antelope 

 Valley country in the vicinity of Neenach, Los Angeles County. Mr. 

 James Barns, who settled there forty years ago and still lives in the 

 valley, says that he never saw so many antelope anywhere in his early 

 travels as he did there. It was not uncommon to see many bunches of 

 from two to three hundred head. This group has been practically 

 exterminated. There is reason to believe that only ten are left. 



MOUNTAIN SHEEP 



Mountain sheep are yet to be found in the desert ranges from Imperial 

 County north to Mono. Their numbers have been estimated into the 

 thousands. Tins species, unlike most game animals, does not compete 

 with agriculture. The region which it frequents is one that cannot be 

 used by man. Under such conditions and with reasonable protection 

 there is no danger of exterminating the species. The only sheep in 

 northern California is a small band of six reported by Deputy Carl 

 Fisher in eastern Lassen County. 



RING-NECKED PHEASANTS 



Ring-necked pheasants may now be found in almost every part of 

 the state, where climatic and topographical conditions are suitable. It 

 is not uncommon to have them cross the road in front of your automo- 

 bile in many places. The birds are probably most abundant in the 

 delta of the San Joaquin and Sacramento rivers. There are also hun- 

 dreds in that section of Santa Clara County between Milpitas and 

 Mountain View. In many other parts of the state they are scarcely 

 less abundant. 



GAME REFUGES 



During the legislative session of 1927 over 500,000 acres were added 

 to the game refuges of the state. Five new areas were set aside and 

 certain of the refuges were enlarged that had been created at earlier 

 sessions. 



Refuge 1-N was set aside in the western part of Modoc County, 

 extending slightly into Siskiyou. It is located in the heart of the big 

 mule deer country and was created so as to give additional protection 

 to that species. It is a very well marked refuge, being bounded by 

 roads on all sides. 



Refuge 1-0, an area of 68,500 acres, was set aside in El Dorado 

 County. This area is also bounded by easily established lines. On 



