STATUS OF TTIE PKONGHORNED 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 Terkins 
County. 
3. The 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 8 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 Vv^ere 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. 
6. 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 w^ere seen near Scenic, in southeastern Pennington County, 
in March, 1922, by H. R. Wells. 
8. Only 3 antelope, all females, w^ere 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 for several years, and it is thought this bunch must have drifted 
in from the 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 York City. (See PI. VI.) Another .shipment of 9 animals from the 
same source was received in October, 1916. The antelope increased very well, 
but losses were great, caused partly by sickness and partly by attacks of 
coyotes. Coyotes have been a source of much trouble and in 1918 killed 13 
antelope here. Trappers have been sent to the preserve at various times to 
assist in exterminating these and other predatory animals and have killed 
