STATUS OF THE PRONGHOKSTED ANTELOPE, 1922-1924 51 



1. A band of 12 was reported in June, 1923, in western Harding County, 

 probably ranging across the boundary into Montana. 



2. In November, 1923, 18 antelope were reported near Bison, in Perkins 

 County. 



3. Tbe largest herds of antelope in the State were reported in 1923 by 

 Senator Norbeck and by the Biological Survey representative, Louis Knowles, 

 as existing in adjacent parts of Harding, Perkins, Butte, and Meade Counties. 

 About 150 animals were reported from around Bam Butte. During this same 

 year O. W. Litzke reported having seen about 300 in a 20-mile ride in the 

 Slim Buttes region. In November, 1923, Senator Norbeck wrote there was 

 a herd of 32 in a pasture 3 miles northwest of Camp Crook, and another small 

 herd of S in a pasture near Reva Gap, east from Buffalo. Several scattered 

 small bands occur about the north end of Slim Buttes and several large bands 

 about 15 miles southeast of Buffalo, in the neighborhood of Bam Butte, being 

 some 6 miles west of Slim Buttes. Senator Norbeck added : " I saw two small 

 bunches on a quarter section of land, one of about 40 animals and the other 

 about 45. Several other bands containing from a dozen to two dozen animals 

 each were seen in a couple of miles in different directions from the larger 

 bands. In other words, there must be from 125 to 150 antelope within 5 

 miles of Bam Butte, which is a small but well-known landmark in the neigh- 

 borhood." A reasonable estimate of the total number of antelope in this area 

 is 350. 



4. Thirty-seven antelope are reported to be living on the Belle Fourche Bird 

 Refuge, in southwestern Butte County, in the Paul Bernard pasture, where 

 they are being protected by the owner. 



5. About 125 antelope are reported in northern Stanley and eastern Haakon 

 Counties. Concerning these, Senator Norbeck wrote, under date of July 14, 

 1924, that he is well pleased with a trip made recently into the Cheyenne 

 River country, and that " careful inquiry among the ranchers who have had 

 a friendly attitude toward the antelope convinced me that there were probably 

 100 animals ranging over an area 4 miles wide by 10 to 12 long in the breaks 

 on the south side of the Cheyenne River. The distribution seems to be about 

 equal between Stanley and Haakon Counties. It was a surprise to me to find 

 the antelope here, as it did not appear to be choice antelope range, but they 

 have existed here for about 30 years and apparently have held their own." 



A band of 30 is probably permanently located on the Carr ranch, in north- 

 eastern Haakon County, where there is a pasture about 2 miles wide by 4 miles 

 long, in which the antelope range most of the time, although a year ago last 

 winter they spent several weeks, if not months, on the river flat in an alfalfa 

 field on the ranch. The owner states they did no damage to the alfalfa. 

 Usually they range in the hills and are often seen on high points. Louis 

 Knowles wrote that some appear to be very wild, in part due to the hunting 

 of predatory animals with dogs in this district, during which the dogs fre- 

 quently pursue the antelope. In addition, there has been a certain amount of 

 hunting with guns. A local hunter agreed that the antelope have not 

 increased here for several years, but during the past three years have about 

 held their own. 



G. About 100 antelope were reported in adjacent parts of Stanley and Hughes 

 Counties, where they were decreasing rapidly through being hunted with dogs. 



7. Twelve antelope were seen near Scenic, in southeastern Pennington County, 

 in March, 1922, by H. R. Wells. 



8. Only 3 antelope, all females, were reported to survive on the Pine Ridge 

 Indian Reservation, in Washington and Shannon Counties. 



9. A band of about 10 was reported in 1923 from western Fall River County. 



10. In August, 1924, a bunch of 6 antelope was seen 11 miles west of 

 Ardmore, Fall River County. Antelope have supposedly been extinct in this 

 locality ('or several years, and it is thought this bunch must have drifted 

 in from flic west'. 



11. In October, 1914, 13 young antelope captured near Brooks, Alberta, 

 were placed on Wind Cave Reserve, the gift of the Boone and Crockett Club, 

 of New Veil: City. 'Sec pi, yi.) Another shipment of 9 animals from the 

 same source was received in October, 1916, The antelope increased very well, 

 lull losses were great, caused partly by sickness and partly by attacks of 

 coyotes. Coyotes h:ive been a source of much trouble and in 1918 killed 13 

 antelope here. Trappers have been sent, to the preserve nl various times to 

 assist in exterminating these and other predatory animals and have killed 



