16 U.S.C. §§ 689–689d

There is created within the San Bernardino National Forest in Riverside County, California, for the protection of game animals, and as the recognized breeding place therefor, the Tahquitz National Game Preserve, which shall include the following lands: Sections 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, and 35, township 3 south, range 3 east, San Bernardino meridian; sections 1, 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 33, 34, 35, and 36, township 4 south, range 3 east, San Bernardino meridian; and sections 1, 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, and 24, township 5 south, range 3 east, San Bernardino meridian; but the establishment of this reservation shall not interfere with any existing right or withdrawals made prior to July 3, 1926: Provided, That all the land with¹ the exterior boundary of the aforesaid tract shall first become the property of the United States.

The lands included in said game preserve shall continue to be parts of the national forest and nothing contained in sections 689 to 689d of this title shall prevent the Secretary of Agriculture from permitting other uses of said lands under and in conformity with the laws and rules and regulations applicable thereto so far as any such use may be consistent with the purposes for which said game preserve is established.

On lands within the game preserve established in section 689a of this title, hunting, pursuing, poisoning, killing, or capturing by trapping, netting, or any other means, or attempting to hunt, pursue, kill, or capture any wild animals or birds for any purpose whatever upon the lands of the United States within the limits of said game preserve shall be unlawful except as hereinafter provided.

The Secretary of Agriculture shall execute the provisions of sections 689 to 689d of this title, and he is authorized to make all needful rules and regulations for the administration of such game preserves in accordance with the purposes of said sections, including regulations for hunting, capturing, or killing predatory animals, such as wolves, coyotes, cougar, and other species destructive to livestock or wildlife within the limits of said game preserve.

Upon the recommendation of the Secretary of Agriculture the Secretary of the Interior is authorized in his discretion to accept, on behalf of the United States, title to any lands in private ownership within the boundaries of the game preserve established, and make exchange therefor under the provisions of sections 485 and 486 of this title.