STATUS OF THE PRONGHORNED ANTELOPE, 1922-1924 
41 
"(3) Confer with such agency as to the step necessary to insure perpetu- 
ation ; such steps might include the establishment of State game refuges, the 
offering of rewards against killing, pledges on the part of the stockmen to exer- 
cise rigid jurisdiction over their employees, pledges of winter feeding, or 
arrangements for predatory-animal control. 
"(4) Ask for the necessary cooperation from the necessary parties to as- 
sure the execution of the measures decided on under the preceding para- 
graph (3). 
"(5) Require from the custodian at least an annual report on the condi- 
tion and needs of the herd. 
" Let me offer one example of how the foregoing scheme would work. On 
Diamond Creek in the Gila Forest is a herd of about 25 animals, which have 
lodged there in timbered country since a blizzard drove them out of the San 
Augustine Plains about five years ago. This herd has plenty of feed and water, 
very fair protection against 
predatory animals, and no 
great likelihood of illegal 
killing except during the 
deer season, when they are 
occasionally mistaken for 
deer by hunters. A special 
warning to all hunters in 
that locality, supplemented 
by a little extra patrol 
during the 10 days of the 
hunting season, would, I 
think, cause them to start 
increasing. The Forest 
Service w r ould, I think, 
assume the special custo- 
dianship of this herd and 
would have the cooperation 
of the stockmen. If au- 
thorized by the forester it 
might be that we could 
even require certain special 
precautions by the two or 
three stockmen affected 
against any of their em- 
ployees damaging this herd. 
Should predatory animals get worse, we would doubtless have your coopera- 
tion whenever we reported the situation. The main thing would be that some- 
body would assume responsibility for doing all reasonable and practicable 
things for the herd." 
Mr. Pooler's contribution contains some very practical suggestions, some of 
w^hich might be utilized as the program for antelope conservation develops. 
Antelope for many years have been protected on the well-known Bell ranch, 
where there has been a standing offer of $50 reward for the arrest of anyone 
found hunting on these lands; but under this protection they have not in- 
creased so rapidly as might be expected, probably owing to the depredations of 
predatory animals and eagles. 
The bands of antelope in New Mexico are located as follows (fig. 11) : 
1. About 50 antelope range in southeastern Colfax County. 
* 2. A band of 14 was reported in February, 1024, in the Eklund pasture, 15 
miles northwest of Clayton, Union County. 
Fig. ll.- 
-Distribution of antelope in New Mexico, esti- 
mated at 1,682, in 31 areas 
