When Elk Come Down

Creator: U.S. Department of Agriculture

Format: 16mm

Color: B&W

Sound: silent

Description: This 1930s film explores the challenges of elk conservation in the United States, focusing on the harsh winter conditions and the efforts of rangers and state game wardens to protect elk populations in Yellowstone and surrounding forests. Through vivid footage of snowy mountain landscapes, the film depicts elk herds driven to lower elevations in search of food, often struggling to survive amid extreme weather and human threats like hunting and habitat restrictions. Rangers are shown setting up camps, building shelters, and feeding the starving elk, leaving food trails to sustain them during the winter. The narrative also highlights conflicts between wildlife and human settlements, with young elk raiding hay stacks and facing fences that block their migration. The film portrays the collaborative work of rangers, game wardens, and hunters, emphasizing the balance between conservation and the management of elk populations. Scenes of hunters tracking elk and the efforts to prevent overhunting add tension to the story, culminating in a message of the importance of wildlife protection and sustainable practices.

Complete Record: This 1930s film explores the challenges of elk conservation in the United States, focusing on the harsh winter conditions and the efforts of rangers and state game wardens to protect elk populations in Yellowstone and surrounding forests. Through vivid footage of snowy mountain landscapes, the film depicts elk herds driven to lower elevations in search of food, often struggling to survive amid extreme weather and human threats like hunting and habitat restrictions. Rangers are shown setting up camps, building shelters, and feeding the starving elk, leaving food trails to sustain them during the winter. The narrative also highlights conflicts between wildlife and human settlements, with young elk raiding hay stacks and facing fences that block their migration. The film portrays the collaborative work of rangers, game wardens, and hunters, emphasizing the balance between conservation and the management of elk populations. Scenes of hunters tracking elk and the efforts to prevent overhunting add tension to the story, culminating in a message of the importance of wildlife protection and sustainable practices.