herders, cowboys and others had ‘‘cleared Gut’’ the game. 
The difference was appalling. Even the coyotes, gray 
wolves and sage grouse were reduced to the verge of 
extinction. 
In a wild region, of terribly deep and picturesque 
badlands, bordering Snow Creek and Hell Creek, several 
species of game were found hiding and making what was 
literally a last stand. It was noted at that time that the 
Snow Creek country would make a very good game pre- 
serve; but at that time immediate action did not seem 
imperative. 
Early in 1911, it was learned from Mr. W. R. Felton, 
a civil engineer of Miles City, that a new railway line 
was being surveyed a few miles south of the Snow Creek 
country, and that the construction of the road soon 
would begin. This indicated the early “opening up” 
of the whole region between the Yellowstone and Mis- 
sourl rivers. 
Forthwith steps were taken to bring to the attention 
of Governor Norris, and the legislature of Montana, the 
desirability of establishing the Snow Creek region as a 
state game preserve; and with marvelous celerity a bill 
to that effect was drawn, introduced, passed, and signed 
by the Governor. The bill was introduced and cham- 
pioned by Senator Cone. Without loss of time, a deputy 
game-warden was appointed to stop all hunting within 
the confines of the new preserve; and a survey was made 
of the entire region. 
When the survey had been made, it was found that 
the estimates given to Senator Cone, and on which his 
bill had been based, were geographically about two miles 
out of the way. The whole strip of grazing ground along 
the south that it was intended to include for antelope and 
bison, had been left out. The southern boundary was 
two miles too far north! It was then too late to secure 
a revision of boundaries by the State of Montana. 
Furthermore, it was found that under the State laws, 
domestic sheep and cattle could not be excluded from 
grazing in State preserves! This meant nothing less 
than the total destruction of what little grass was avail- 
able in the badlands. 
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