48 BULLETIN 1346, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, 



" I think the situation in our State is very largely the same as in other 

 Western States. The antelope is exterminated everywhere except in about 

 one-quarter of the area. Together with the State game warden I spent a 

 little time this summer going over 5 or 6 counties and we were surprised 

 that there were a number of small bands of antelope surviving. They remain 

 in certain areas which are probably more favorable for them. The bands 

 were generally from 4 or 5 up to 20 or 30. One band of 85 was seen — a 

 really fine-looking, healthy lot of animals. They had been ranging in the 

 same neighborhood for about the last 20 years. * * * 



" South Dakota is all settled. There is very little Government land left. 

 The land we need for the antelope refuge is nearly all patented, though not 

 all occupied. The State has a fenced game preserve of 40,000 acres, but this 

 is built in the foothills of the mountains and is not a suitable range for 

 antelope. While I was there recently the State game and fish commission 

 passed resolutions taking the first steps toward the establishment of an 

 antelope preserve in the antelope country, with the plan of fencing in 5 or 

 6 sections of land to include some of the larger bands that we saw during 

 my recent trip. This should take in from 50 to 100 antelope as a start. I 

 am sure that something substantial will come from this." 



Senator Norbeck informs the writer that this game refuge will be primarily 

 for antelope, but that with the addition from the Federal forested lands it is 

 desired to establish here herds of elk, buffalo, and possibly some other game 

 animals. The headquarters of this fine game refuge is to be at Reva Gap, 

 located on the main line of an important highway. This locality is not only 

 one of natural beauty but one of historical interest, having been the scene of 

 the battle of Slim Buttes with the Indians 50 years ago, fought under Gen. 

 Anson Mills, then a captain. Parts of this game preserve are hilly, with thin 

 forests ; the rest of it is open prairie. 



The largest number of surviving antelope are located in the northwestern 

 corner of the State, where, in Harding County, a new State antelope refuge 

 has been established in accordance with legal authorization granted at the 

 time Senator Norbeck was governor. In regard to the plans for this refuge 

 Senator Norbeck wrote under date of July 24, 1924 : 



"An antelope preserve has been established in the northwest corner county 

 of the State by action of the State game and fish commission, and additional 

 Federal lands have been set aside for the purpose by recent act of Congress. 



" The area includes considerable State land, but some private ranches will 

 have to be purchased. The plan is to have an inclosed preserve of about 

 15,000 acres. The first fence, which is now under construction, incloses an 

 area 3 miles square. It is believed that from 100 to 150 antelope can be 

 gathered into this inclosure, as that number of animals range over this area 

 and in the immediate neighborhood. 



" The State has set aside $20,000 for this work. Additional funds will be 

 required, but same will be provided in the next few years. It will probably 

 take from 3 to 5 years to work out the 'complete plan but I believe that we 

 have made a very good start." 



On August 8 Senator Norbeck wrote that after further consideration on the 

 ground it has been agreed immediately to enlarge the fenced area on the new 

 antelope refuge to include 15 or 16 sections of land. 



Under date of September 9, 1924, he added: 



"We are going ahead in splendid shape with our antelope preserve. The 

 material has already been purchased for the inclosure of some 15 or 16 sections 



