STATUS OF THE PBONGHORNED ANTELOPE, 1922-1924 



45 



The following interesting quotation from a letter from District Forester 

 Reed, United States Forest Service, dated June 20, 1923, gives an idea of the 

 vicissitudes undergone by the antelope during the last two introductions : 



" We have just received word from Mr. Rush that there is but one survivor 

 of the six shipped to the Wichita last fall. This survivor is a buck. Two of 

 the antelope died from the effects of ticks and two have disappeared. Mr. 

 Rush surmises that the coyotes got in and killed them while they were in the 

 little bull pasture. Later they were moved into the buffalo yard, and the 

 only female left ran headlong into the gate and broke her neck. Of the 

 antelope shipped two years ago, one 2-year old buck and three 2-year old 

 does remain. This reduces the herd to 5 adult antelope. 



" Mr. Rush reports that the 3 does now have 2 fawns each. This brings 

 the herd up to 11 head, and Mr. Rush says that he had excellent luck with 

 them. It is to be hoped that the fawns born in captivity on the Wichita will 

 survive the vicissitudes which decimated the original shipment made by the 



Distribution of antolope in Oklahoma, estimated at 23, in 2 areas 



American Bison Society. Since we have 11 antelope on the Wichita, it does 

 not seem necessary to seek further assistance from the American Bison 

 Society at this time. We will, however, take the best care of the remaining 

 antelope. We are satisfied that Mr. Rush has done his best, and it seems that 

 we have a fighting chance to secure a herd of antelope on the Wichita." 



The location of the two bands of antelope now in Oklahoma may be stated 

 as follows (fig. 13) : 



1. A single band Of 5 or <; animals is living in the Ford pastures in northeast- 

 cm Cimarron County, where it is: protected- A band of about 8 animals, 

 reported to range in Morton County, southwestern Kansas, is said to spend 

 pari of Its time across the line in Oklahoma, which would take it into 

 Cimarron County. The relations between these two herds have not been 

 ascertained. For convenience the 8 animals are credited to* Kansas and make 

 Dp the only known surviving antelope in that State. Apparently the only 

 Survivors Of these animals in both Oklahoma and Kansas are in the adjoining 

 Counties Of the extreme western parts Of these Slates. 



2. During the summer of 1924 a herd of 17 antelope was on the Wichita 

 National Game Preserve* This Is an Increase of 1- animals from the 5 

 survivors of 25 animals Imported In previous years by the Boone and Crockett 

 Club and the American Bison Society. 



