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STATUS OF THE PRONG HORNED ANTELOPE, 1922-1924 33 
breaks. In 1918 he saw seven, which wintered within a mile of the town of 
Cimarron. In 1921 a band of 16 spent the summer and winter about 15 miles 
south and west of Garden City. He has not seen them since that time, but is 
of the opinion that they may still be ranging- in the sandhills of that vicinity. 
MONTANA 
In the early days the great plains of Montana contained countless thousands 
of antelope. The present census records surviving herds in 44 districts, 
mainly in the eastern and central parts of the State, with a total of approxi- 
mately 3,000 animals. As in many other States, the antelope situation here 
is precarious and needs prompt attention if the herds are to be perpetuated. 
The information given below is mainly the result of inquiries made by 
Thomas N. Marlowe, chairman of the State fish and game commission ; C. A. 
Jakways, State game warden; by employees of the Forest Service; and 
especially by O. E. Stephl, Pt. E. Bateman, and other employees of the 
Biological Survey. It should be noted that several antelope herds drift 
back and forth between northern Montana and Canada, particularly from 
northern Valley and Hill Counties. In severe winters, antelope frequently 
drift down the Yellowstone Valley into the State from the Yellowstone 
National Park, Wyo. 
Some ranchmen complain of injury to crops by antelope, one complaint 
relating to damage to alfalfa in Powder River County. Abandonment of 
ranches by a large number of dry-land farmers has restored more favorable 
conditions for antelope over considerable areas. Many new settlers are inter- 
ested in protecting the antelope, but from curiosity frequently kill a single 
\ animal to get an opportunity to taste its flesh. A considerable number of the 
older ranch owners who were in the State during the days when the antelope 
was one of the common game animals, are now taking an active interest trying 
to prevent the extermination of the species. In some cases they afford ante- 
lope the same protection against hunting on their ranges that they give their 
cattle. The antelope have learned these sanctuaries, and when shot at else- 
where immediately run to them for safety. Local sportsmen's associations are 
in position to be very helpful in developing antelope conservation in the State. 
Thomas N. Marlowe, chairman of the State Fish and Game Commission, 
wrote as follows: 
" The matter of further protection and propagation of the antelope is, to 
my mind, a very difficult one. In spite of what we have tried to do in this 
State, they seem to be, as stated in your letter, on the decrease and practically 
threatened with extinction. The only possible solution of the matter appears 
to be the creation of an antelope preserve somewhere in eastern Montana. 
This should be as thoroughly fenced as the buffalo range near here and the 
predatory animals destroyed. 
" I believe also that a new herd should be started on the buffalo range. 
[It will be noted below that in September, 1924, a small herd was reestablished 
on the buffalo range by the Biological Survey.] I believe something can be 
accomplished along these lines, and if a reserve is created in eastern Montana 
possibly our department might be able to do something toward financing it, if 
not too expensive. I am with you in the hope that some solution can be 
found at the antelope conference to help remedy the situation. 
11 1 am satisfied after having been a member of the State fish and game com- 
mission for more than five years that the greatest problem confronting us in 
this State in the protection of game is the control of predatory animals. If 
we could exterminate them there would be plenty of game in the State for all 
