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Show Mount Ogden Game I Sanctuary A Refuge " nffl For Several Species H There arc several objects, at least one of which a gamo sanctuary-should sanctuary-should fulfill. Thero are protoct a breeding stock, tho increase of which will provido hunting In surrounding areas; protect species approaching extinction; ex-tinction; protect lntroduc&d spocies while becoming established; and pro-vlndo pro-vlndo areas whero game will bo un-disturbod un-disturbod by hunting and available for observation by nature students and tourists. Tlio Mount Ogden Gnmo Sanctuary This sanctuary, which Includes an area of slightly les sthan 50,000 acre3 botweon Weber river on the south to North Ogden canyon on the north and tho foothills on the west to ' Ogden Valley (jn tho east, will meet these requirements re-quirements splondldly. Game can Increase In-crease to supply an overflow to adjoining ad-joining hunting grounds, aorno of tho species occurring there are dangerously danger-ously reduced In numbers, new species are to bo Introduced and an excellent opportunity wil bo presented when tho area becomes well stocked for Ogden people to observe wild game in Its native haunts. The great natural beauties of this area will be still fur- tner oncnancod by the presence or an abundance of game animals. Game Occurring There Deer The most abundant big game animal ani-mal Is tho deer. Thero are probably several present and these should increase in-crease rapidly under good protection. During the last open season approximately approxi-mately sixty bucks were killed there. Tho deer will probably become the moat aboundant big game and tho area Is capable of supporting several thousand of them. There are the mule deer and the sanctuary is very well adapted to them. Mountain Sheep Tho mountains immediately north of this area contain mountain sheep and occasionally a few drift to the mountains within the sanctuary, it is almost certain that this magnificent game animal will establish itself naturally nat-urally within the reserved area. The mountain shcep-or bighorn is at home in just such rugged country as it will find here. A bighorn head is one of the most prized trophies a hunter can obtain, but It will bo a long time before it ever becomes numerous onough again in Utah to furnish hunting. Theodore Roosevelt rated this animal as the most noblo of our big game species. Game Birds The sage grouse and tho pintail or prairie chicken arc found on some of the lower portions of the game sanctuary. sanc-tuary. Both of these birds havo been greatly reduced In numbers generally over their natural ranges, but here they should Increase under the protc-tlon protc-tlon given and provido hunting on surounding areas. The ruffed grouse or "drummer," sometimes called pheasant or willow grouse, ocurs along the watercourses. This Is a beautiful bird and very interesting in-teresting to nature students. The blue or dusky grouse Is the grouse of the western mountains and occurs well distributed over the higher portions of the game sanctuary. Ever' grouse species native to tUah Is found here and they should increase rapidly under tho protection which can bo given them. Tho California valley quail occurs within the protected protect-ed area. Improving Natural Conditions It is possible to make tho area more attractive to game birds and also to increase the food supply. Various kinds of trees or shrubs such as, the Asiatic crab apple, mountain ashes, thorn trees, privets, barberries, highland high-land cranberries, and many others which will furnish fruit during the winter season may be planted. Many of theso are ornamental and when used to beautify cottage grounds in Osden Canyon would also furnish a : food supply for birds. The frost or (SB fox grapes would thrive in moist situ- rU atlons and furnish a considerable I amount of food. Tho planting of I buckwheat in the moister portions of 1 H tho area wll provide a natural supply H of grain. Tho habit of this plant of H growing up into bushes 33 a vine, H makes the grain availablo when snow ' H is on tho ground. As the bird pop- ; H ulatlon incrcasos it wll bo desirable H to provido watering places at frequent H Intervals whero such aro now lacking. B Introduction of New Species K Thero is now such an excellent van- , H ety of game present that it wll bo t ' -H necessary and inadvisable to attempt j.) , iH tho introduction of many new species. k jl Mountain goats could bo obtained ij ' M from Idaho and would find somo of the rougher portions of the sanctuary f i AH well to their liking. This animal f?' B would range over sections little used " i ffl by other gamo and has very queer H and Interesting habits. It Is doubtful whether elk would remain on tho area, but since they aro Increasing on . the Cache Game Preserve noiln of Ogden, it 13 probable that they will here naturally and remain If condi- tlons suit them. It is expected that a supply of the California mountain quail, tfle most beautiful of the west-cm west-cm quail, wil be obtained and roleased here. Another desirable species would . bo tho ptarmigan, which ocurs In Colorado and Now Mexico. This Is, a bird of the high peaks and snows HB and turns white during the winter.. L but is nowhere very aboundant so it 1 might be dificult to obtain a supply. H It would never probably become IH plentiful enough to be hunted. Birds H such as tho Chinese pheasant or the H quail adapted to lower elevations. H would not find favorable cover within. the sanctuary. jH Protection f Hi In order to provide the maximum. H protection from poaching and disturbs H ance, the carrying of firearms is pro- JH hfbited on a state game preserve ex- cept under permit from the State fl Gamo Department. It is bolieved that so many thoroughly protecting the game that the wardens' wil have little ' H difficulty in handling the situation. I H The Weber County Rod and Gun Club H which was Instrumental in having IH the sanctuary established and which H will take active measures to introduco IV now species and improve conditions, H will support the proper protection H of the area to a man. Not all poachera carry guns or walk . H erect. In order for the game sanctu- H ary to bo most succesful, vermin and H predatory animals must bo kept at a H minimum. Coyotes, bob cats and par- H tlcularly mountain lions are very de- 11 structlvo to game and active measure H to destroy theso must be taken. H An Assoi. in Oir,7nii UK Within a few years tho effect of full protection of tho game on this R- sanctuary should be evident, both In Jt the supply of on surrounding hunting fli hunting ranges and in the abundance Wt and tamoncss within the area. It has 1 been created a sanctuary before the H supply of native gamo was very sen- IP ously doploted and with the addition of a few now species, the gamo present H there will bo unequaled in beauty and I variety by that on any like area In the r H west. A trip into tho mountains will then provido the opportunity not only H for enjoying the rugged wildness of the magnificent peaks, but also for H observing the lordly stag or a mother I doo with her spotted fawns. The H sight of a tumbling, downy brood of I grouse or quail with the anxious mother pretonding to be crippled is I ono long remembered by most people I and should not bo uncommon. Ogden BhI les indeed fortunate In having so near H at hand an area of wonderful scenic beauty capable of supporting such an H abundanco and varioty of wild llfo H |