years, while the Wind Cave Reserve has only lately 
been opened to grazing; also because the area is smaller. 
Undoubtedly if this rangé were given a rest for two or 
three years, the grazing would be improved. 
Despite the fact that the Bald Hills appeared almost 
void of food, the stock preferred it to the green grass so 
abundant in the open timber and small parks, and were 
in fairly good condition but not as fat as those on the 
Wind Cave prospect. 
The snowfall in this region is not sufficient to com- 
pel the feeding of stock in winter; but owing to the pres- 
ent drouth, buffalo would surely have to be given hay 
this winter, hay being shipped in from Nebraska and 
Iowa. The chances of hay feeding in winter, however, 
would be greater in here than at Wind Cave, as there is 
a greater snowfall. 
There are a number of mining claims and ranches 
in the Bald Hills. The former are of little value and 
can scarcely be taken into consideration, for in all prob- 
ability the owners will soon abandon them. The ranches, 
however, would have to be purchased. 
Mr. James Philip, who owned a herd of buffalo 
at Fort Pierre, had a tract of timbered land within 
this area, but he informed me that he never intended 
placing buffalo on it. 
Although with Rapid Creek the water supply on 
the Bald Hills reserve would be greater, the only other 
respect in which the Bald Hills region surpasses the 
Wind Cave prospect is in point of fencing. The country, 
while hilly, is not as rough, and there are fewer ravines, 
gulches and creek bottoms to cross; consequently it 
would be a far easier section to enclose. 
All along the Rapid City, Black Hills and Western 
Railroad are summer camps, cabins and small hotels; 
therefore there would be a few visitors to a game reserve 
located in the Bald Hills. 
WIND CAVE NATIONAL PARK 
My visit to this region was made between July 12 
and 17. Because of the continued drouth, springs and 
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