Reports of Field Agents 295 



Water fowl arc still very plentiful through this region, yet 1 have questioned 

 many of the older residents and others and find that there is little comparison 

 between the number of birds now and those of a lew years ago. Ducks, Geese 

 and Swan were there in such numbers, a few years ago, that it seems a few years 

 could make but little difference. Yet I am told that on account of the unre- 

 stricted shooting there has been a constant noticeable decrease year by year. The 

 wholesale decrease has been within the last five or six years. 



In the past, there has been no warden to protect the great region about Mal- 

 heur and Harney Lakes, but, in order to see that the game laws are obeyed, 

 through Slate Game Warden Stevenson we have secured the appointment of 

 two wardens, one at Hums, Mr. George Si/emore, ami one at Narrow;., Mr. 

 Charles Fitzgerald. 



The attention of the National Association is called to the condition of some 

 of the larger animals in this state. On account oi insufficient protection, some 

 of these are rapidly disappearing and are likely to become extinct in this stale 

 unless needed protection is secured. There are a few bands of elk left in the state, 

 and a law should be enacted giving these animals complete protection for live or 

 ten years. 



Mountain sheep are now very scarce in Oregon. They have never been 

 found except in the eastern part oi the state. As we have had no law for the 

 protection of these animals, they have disappeared rapidly. 



Antelope were formerly quite common through southeastern Oregon, espcci 

 ally in Harney and Malheur counties. Or. L. E. Hihhard. oi burns, estimates 

 thai there are now not more than twenty-five hundred antelope in Harney county. 

 The antelope has marvelous vitality, but its home is on the open plain. It has 

 absolutely no retreat from the modern long-range rifle. It is readily hunted to 

 extinction. As population advances, this animal must go unless some radical 

 steps are taken. The following is a good example of how the antelope have 

 disappeared. 



Five years ago, in Harney Valley a bunch of forty-five antelope lived on 

 the rve-grass tlats southeast oi burns. They ranged from there to the east side 

 of the valley. They could be seen almost any day during the summer of [903. 

 By 1005 the herd had decreased to about twenty live. Now all these antelope 

 have disappeared. Years ago plenty oi antelope ranged north of burns. These 

 have disappeared. This is an example of what has been and will be repeated 

 as population increases, until the last antelope is gone. Immediate protection 

 is needed for those remaining. 



