Wichita National Forest and Game Preserve 



In April, 1912, 15 elk were brought to the Wichita Game Preserve 

 from the Jackson Hole, Wyo., elk herd. There has been a steady 

 and remarkable growth from this original band, and the Wichita 

 elk herd now numbers between 300 and 400 head. It has been de- 

 cided that the ultimate herd of elk can not be allowed to exceed 

 400, and steps will probably have to be taken to dispose of surplus 

 males each year. (Fig. 2.) 



DEER 



Virginia or white-tailed deer are native to this section and were 

 plentiful in and around the Wichita Mountains when the country 

 was first opened to settlement. Their number had been greatly 

 reduced when the game preserve was established in 1905, but it is 

 now estimated that there are more than 400 within the national 



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Fig. 2.— Old Wichita, king of the Wichita elk herd 



forest boundaries. Five counties outside and adjoining the forest 

 and game preserve maintain a closed season on deer, and the herd 

 is steadily increasing. 



ANTELOPE 



In cooperation with the American Bison Society, three attempts 

 have been made to establish an antelope herd within the Wichita 

 Game Preserve. In 1910 the Boone and Crockett Club presented 11 

 antelope to the Government. This little band suffered severely, 

 however, in transit from the Yellowstone Park section where they 

 were obtained. After their arrival at the Wichita Game Preserve 

 they developed serious internal disorders the exact nature of which 

 it was impossible to determine but which resulted in the gradual de- 

 struction of the entire herd. 



In 1921 the American Bison Society donated to the Wichita Game 

 Preserve 10 antelope purchased by the society from C. J. Blazier, of 

 Alberta, Canada, whose life work in the preservation of this most 

 interesting species is deserving of the highest commendation by every 

 lover of wild animals. Six of these died after their arrival. In 1922, 



23493°— 25 2 



