28 BULLETIN 1346, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 



least a tolerance of these animals, which might well be converted into such 

 an active spirit of protection as would perpetuate a number of herds in 

 suitable localities. 



The very excellent census of antelope in Colorado here presented is due 

 largely to the persistent efforts of John H. Hatton, secretary-treasurer of the 

 Colorado Game and Fish Protective Association, and to the work of Stanley 

 P. Young and Joseph Keyes, in charge of the predatory-animal and rodent- 

 control work of the Biological Survey in the State. Mr. Hatton wrote that 

 the active interest of the Colorado Game and Fish Protective Association 

 in the conservation of antelope will undoubtedly be very helpful in bringing 

 about their perpetuation. 



Early in 1923 the legislature of Colorado established the Colorado Ante- 

 lope Refuge in northern Larimer County, on the Wyoming line, which covers 

 the territory occupied by a band of about 75 animals. The fall of the same 

 year Mr. Hatton wrote concerning the plans of the Colorado Game and Fish 

 Protective Association : 



"We plan during the next legislature to have presented some areas in 

 the eastern part of the State which would be suitable for antelope refuges. 

 We first became interested in this subject as an organization a couple of 

 years ago, and it seemed that the first logical step would be to get a census 

 of the species, which, as you know, has already been done. I plan also a 

 little later to address' a letter to the local newspapers where antelope are 

 found, giving a Mttle account of them and making appeals for their pro- 

 tection." 



The general results of inquiries concerning antelope in Colorado indicate 

 that these animals are steadily decreasing, especially on the eastern plains. 

 There has been some discussion of the possibility of rounding up the sur- 

 vivors in this region and placing them under fence in northeastern Larimer 

 County in the antelope refuge recently established. 



Antelope once abounded in North Park, but the county assessor of Jack- 

 son County, in a letter dated October 31, 1923, stated that none remain and 

 that the last band, containing 21, was killed many years ago by hunters 

 from Fort Collins. About 35 years ago in that district a hunter used a, 

 telescope rifle for killing antelope, for which he was paid $1 each. Wagons 

 were sent out to pick up the animals, which were shipped to Denver for sale. 



The results of the census of antelope in Colorado indicate that there is still 

 time to build up fine herds of these beautiful animals in parts of the State 

 where they will not become obnoxious to the farmers. A careful study of the 

 situation should be made for the purpose of locating satisfactory areas where 

 definite efforts can be made to have State refuges established, and in addition 

 of enlisting the cooperation of men having large fenced pastures to maintain 

 small antelope herds as a matter of interest. Apparently one of the vital needs 

 in Colorado, as in many other States, is to insure a better enforcement of the 

 law against those who wantonly kill antelope. A large proportion of these 

 animals now being killed are, no doubt, shot merely for passing amusement. 



The distribution of antelope in Colorado is approximately as follows 

 (fig. 5) : 



1. Not less than 150 antelope range between Vermilion Creek and the head 

 of Sand Wash in northwestern Moffat County. The majority of the people 

 in that district seriously object to these animals being killed, although it is 

 stated that occasionally a resident shoots one for his own use. 



2. In Middle Park, northwestern Grand County, a small band of 7 still 

 exists. This was formerly a favorite range for antelope, but they have been 

 rapidly decreasing there and will probably be completely exterminated in the 

 not distant future. 



