NUMBER OF ELK. 13 
River, and in the Gros Ventre Range to the southward between the 
Snake and Green River Valleys. A few hundred animals from the 
more easterly of these bands probably winter in the Green River 
Valley, but most of them seek Jackson Hole at that season. 
Most of the residents consider that the elk have increased in num- 
bers within the last 10 years, but nearly all agree that there has been 
a decided decrease within the last 3 years. This is owing, of course, 
to the large number which died during these winters because of 
abnormal conditions. 
Assuming that the elk number 20,000 and that the number of each 
sex is approximately the same, the herd just before calving time 
following a normal winter will be divided approximately as follows: 
5,425 cows 4 years old and over. 
1.200 co\cs 3 years old. 
1,500 cows 2 years old. 
5 female calves. 
10,000 females in all. 
10,000 males in all. of approximately the same relative ages. 
20,000 
It is elsewhere estimated that from 2,000 to 2,500 elk starved to 
death in the Jackson Hole region in the winter of 1910-11, and it 
must be borne in mind that this disastrous season was preceded by 
two others notable for heavy loss. It is plain that the animals can 
not maintain their numbers under such drains. But so high is the 
birth rate that elk will hold their own under a considerable winter 
loss. 
The estimate already given is that a band of 20,000 elk will include 
about 6,625 cows 3 years old and over, of which about 75 percent, 
or 4,968, will drop calves each year. If, then, the elk are not to 
fall below their present numbers, the total deaths from all causes must 
not exceed 4,968 per year; or, in other words, the total deaths each 
year may rise to 4,968 and still the elk will hold their own. 
The total death roll is the result of four causes : (1) Natural causes, 
including accidents; (2) starvation; (3) wolves and other predatory 
annuals; (4) hunting. It is evident that anything done to decrease 
s from the first three causes will increase the number of elk that 
can be shot each year without diminishing the herd as a whole. But 
just in proportion as starvation or wolves claim a greater number of 
victims must the number shot be curtailed, or else the total of the 
elk will be diminished. 
At present, probably about 2,000 elk a year are killed by hunters 
and about 1,000 by wolves. If these figures are approximately 
correct, and if it is also true, as claimed, that under normal winter 
conditions the elk hold then own notwithstanding these heavy losses, 
then it follows that of the calves dropped each year (approximately 
