28 BULLETIN 1346, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 
least a tolerance of these animals, which might well he converted into such 
an active spirit of protection as would perpetuate a number of herds in 
suitable localities. 
The very excellent census of antelope in Colorado here presented is due 
largely to the persistent efforts of John H. Hatton, secretary-treasurer of the 
Colorado Game and Fish Protective Association, and to the work of Stanley 
P. Young and Joseph Keyes, in charge of the predatory-animal and rodent- 
control work of the Biological Survey in the State. Mr. Hatton wrote that 
the active interest of the Colorado Game and Fish Protective Association 
in the conservation of antelope will undoubtedly be very helpful in bringing 
about their perpetuation. 
Early in 1923 the legislature of Colorado established the Colorado Ante- 
lope Refuge in northern Larimer County, on the Wyoming line, which covers 
the territory occupied by a band of about 75 animals. The fall of the same 
year Mr. Hatton wrote concerning the plans of the Colorado Game and Fish 
Protective Association : 
" We plan during the next legislature to have presented some areas in 
the eastern part of the State which would be suitable for antelope refuges. 
We first became interested in this subject as an organization a couple of 
years ago, and it seemed that the first logical step would be to get a census 
of the species, which, as you know, has already been done. I plan also a 
little later to address a letter to the local newspapers where antelope are 
found, giving a little account of them and making appeals for their pro- 
tection." 
The general results of inquiries concerning antelope in Colorado indicate 
that these animals are steadily decreasing, especially on the eastern plains. 
There has been some discussion of the possibility of rounding up the sur- 
vivors in this region and placing them under fence in northeastern Larimer 
County in the antelope refuge recently established. 
Antelope once abounded in North Park, but the county assessor of Jack- 
son County, in a letter elated October 31, 1923, stated that none remain and 
that the last band, containing 21, was killed many years ago by hunters 
from Fort Collins. About 35 years ago in that district a hunter used a, 
telescope rifle for killing antelope, for which he was paid .$1 each. Wagons 
were sent out to pick up the animals, which were shipped to Denver for sale. 
The results of the census of antelope in Colorado indicate that there is still 
time to build up fine herds of these beautiful animals in parts of the State 
where they will not become obnoxious to the farmers. A careful study of the 
situation should be made for the purpose of locating satisfactory areas where 
definite efforts can be made to have State refuges established, and in addition 
of enlisting the cooperation of men having large fenced pastures to maintain 
small antelope herds as a matter of interest. Apparently one of the vital needs 
in Colorado, as in many other States, is to insure a better enforcement of the 
law against those who wantonly kill antelope. A large proportion of these 
animals now being killed are, no doubt, shot merely for passing amusement. 
The distribution of antelope in Colorado is approximately as follows 
(fig. 5) : 
1. Not less than 150 antelope range between Vermilion Crook and the head 
of Sand Wash in northwestern Moffat County. The majority of the people 
;in that district seriously object to these animals being killed, although it is 
^stated that occasionally a resident shoots one for his own use. 
2. In Middle Park, northwestern Grand County, a small band of 7 still 
exists. This was formerly a favorite range for antelope, but they have been 
rapidly decreasing there and will probably be completely exterminated in the 
not distant future. 
