REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON STATE HERDS 
OCTOR PALMER, in behalf of the Committee on 
State Herds, reported that conditions were such 
that the committee was unable to take any steps towards 
the location of herds under State auspices at present, 
but several events which had transpired during the past 
year indicated that it might be possible to establish 
such herds in the near future. In New York and Illinois, 
where the game departments collect large sums from 
hunting licenses, conditions apparently are not favorable 
for any immediate action. In Missouri an effort was 
made at the recent session of the Legislature to have 
the State acquire title to the Wetmore Preserve, but 
the measure failed by a few votes. Had this project 
been consummated, it would have furnished Missouri 
with a magnificent State game preserve, already stocked 
with deer and elk, and a place where buffalo and other 
big game could be maintained. In Nebraska, the effort 
to secure the Gilbert Game Park in Saline County, for 
a State game preserve, also failed, but the introduction 
of the bill and the endeavor to secure its passage show 
that the people are keenly alive to game conservation, 
and the importance of establishing refuges. In Oregon 
a bill was passed authorizing the establishment of game 
preserves on certain State lands, and, under certain 
conditions, on private lands. While the provisions are 
such that it may not be feasible to establish any pre- 
serves suitable for buffalo, nevertheless, the enactment 
of the law is an important step, and with slight amend- 
ment may make possible the creation of a preserve 
which shall be suitable for big game. Montana has 
established three new State preserves, two of which, if 
provided with enclosures, would afford admirable loca- 
tions for additional herds of buffalo, should such action 
be deemed advisable. 
Recent action may make it possible to have a herd 
of buffalo in Nebraska, although not directly under 
18 
