24 BULLETIN 1346, U. S. DEPARTMENT OE AGRICULTURE, 



ARIZONA 



In 1923 antelope in Arizona were restricted to bands occurring in 18 areas 

 and totaled about 650 animals. A more intensive investigation might sligbtly 

 increase this number. Formerly tbey existed in great numbers in this State, 

 where the range and climatic conditions were peculiarly favorable to them. 

 In the eastern part of the State from 18S4 to 1889 they were very numerous 

 both on the grassy plains and in the parklike openings among the scattered 

 cedar, juniper, and pinyon forests covering vast areas of that great plateau 

 region. In summer they ranged also among the yellow-pine forests on the 

 Mogollon Plateau, but the heavy snows on these higher elevations forced them 

 into the lower country in winter. As elsewhere at that period, there was no 

 appreciation among sportsmen and the general public of the need of any re- 

 straint in killing game, and both antelope and other kinds of big game were 

 killed freely throughout the year. With the increasing occupation of the 

 ranges the antelope have steadily decreased and now are extinct over great 

 areas where they once abounded. 



The information concerning the number of antelope now in Arizona has 

 come mainly from M. E. Musgrave, in charge of the predatory-animal work, 

 and D. A. Gilchrist, of the rodent-control work, both of the Biological Survey. 

 Their personal familiarity with all parts of the State has enabled them to make 

 an excellent preliminary survey of the situation. On December 15, 1923, Mr. 

 Musgrave wrote : 



" We have collected fairly accurate data on the antelope of this State and I 

 have found that the number of young this year ranges from 10 to 25 per cent of 

 the total number of animals a year or more old. The heaviest percentages of 

 young are on the ranges in the vicinity of Valentine, north of Seligman. It 

 is believed that there were 25 per cent of young born in the Sitgreaves Na- 

 tional Forest and only about 10 per cent on the Prescott National Forest and 

 adjacent to it. The small band located in the San Fernando Valley, south of 

 Tucson, had an increase of about 20 per cent. The total increase for the State 

 for the present year should be about 15 per cent. 



" The antelope that live on the Anderson Mesa have been materially reduced 

 in number. Last year they numbered more than 100 head, but now only 25 

 survivors are reported. I am inclined to believe that the antelope in Arizona 

 are increasing regardless of the rapid depletion of the herds on the Anderson 

 Mesa, south of Flagstaff, and along the Verde rim. Antelope appear to be 

 increasing on cattle ranges in the State and decreasing on sheep ranges." 



The distribution of antelope in Arizona is approximately as follows (fig. 3) : 3 



1. About 12 antelope are reported as ranging in Antelope Valley, between 

 Hurricane Ledge and Kanab Creek, north of the Grand Canyon, in Mohave 

 County. 



2. In 1923, according to residents of Grand Canyon and railroad men em- 

 ployed on trains between Williams and Grand Canyon station, in Coconino 

 County, about a dozen antelope still occurred in the vicinity of Anita, or be- 

 tween Anita and Cataract Canyon. They are seen occasionally from the trains. 



3. About 50 in small scattered bands occur in open parks in the yellow-pine 

 forest north of Flagstaff, in Coconino County. 



4. Supervisor Miller, of the Coconino National Forest, reported in 1923 that 

 the antelope ranging on Anderson Mesa, southeast of Flagstaff, in Coconino 

 County, in 1913 numbered about 200, but that in 1922 they had become reduced 

 to about 100, and in 1923 to about 25. This decrease indicates the danger of 

 extermination confronting this herd. 



8 The paragraph numbers in this and other States and Provinces correspond to* the 

 numbered areas shown on the respective distribution maps, the number of the area being 

 the figure outside the circle, the number of antelope in each area being expressed by the 

 figure within the circle. 



