GAME REFUGES. 17 



or a large part of it, is in territory that could not be advantageously 

 utilized for live stock, although it does encroach somewhat upon 

 territory that might be used by grazing animals. But our people 

 want to maintain that herd as large as it can be reasonably main- 

 tained in that territory because they take great pride in it. But it 

 would be very easy to extend the elk herd in Wyoming over territory 

 that is occupied by grazing animals, although I do not assume that 

 is what is intended or proposed by this bill. 



Now, gentlemen, do not lose sight of this: The forest reserves of 

 the country are or may be completely grazed. You see in this 

 eastern country a great deal of rough, brushy country which is not 

 utilized for grazing purposes. That sort of thing is practically 

 unknown in our country. Under the conditions that we have, 

 practically everything in the way of feed is utilized, and the stock 

 grazes over all of these reserves except the highest and best parts 

 of them. 



I am not opposing this legislation on the theory that it would inter- 

 fere with live stock; but it could very easily be administered in a way 

 to seriously interfere with the live stock industry, because you can 

 only increase game beyond a certain point by utilizing grasses and 

 herbage that would otherwise be used by sheep and cattle. The best 

 way to preserve game in the western country is to preserve it under the 

 jurisdiction that has control of it. It will be best preserved in that 

 way, and it will be best for everybody that it be preserved in that way. 

 In most of the States a very reasonable amount of effort will result in 

 the establishment of all the reserves and refuges that ought to be 

 established. As a matter of fact, our experience is that in the main 

 we will probably do much better by shortening the hunting or open 

 season in all, or a large portion, of the State from time to time rather 

 than to have certain places where they are not hunted at all at any 

 time. These larger animals are not hunted except for from two 

 weeks to six weeks in the fall, and by shortening the season to two 

 weeks, or occasionally closing it entirely for a series of years, you 

 accomplish the result of allowing your game to increase without the 

 danger of subjecting your citizens to danger of violation of the law 

 relating to a particular territory, the boundaries of which may not be 

 entirely familiar to them. 



Gentlemen of the committee, I . thank you very much for your 

 attention. 



STATEMENT OF MR. R. W. WILLIAMS, ASSISTANT TO THE 

 SOLICITOR, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



Mr. Williams. Mr. Chairman and gentlemen of the committee, I 

 will endeavor to confine my remarks to the question of the constitu- 

 tionality of this bill. With the policy of the bill the committee will 

 deal as it weighs the relative considerations 



Mr. Jacoway (interposing). I do not know that I state the position 

 of the other members of the committee, but as far as I am concerned — 

 and if the other members do not agree with me they can so state — I 

 believe that all of us recognize that the title to wild game is in the 

 State, and as far as I am concerned I would like to have you address 



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