The true Democrat. [volume] (Bayou Sara [La.]) 1892-1928, 1901-08-10
THE GRAY WOLF OF THE RANGES,
A Dangerous Foe OF Cattle, Sheep and
Horses,

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Lib Vincent, one of Wyomings old
time COW punchers, and now riding
on the Powder river ranges, says that
the gray wolves Of his section are le-
g1on in number and as fearless as they
are ferocious.
These gray and greedy scourges of
the Powder river stock areas do their
raldlng in bands ranging in numbers
OF from 6 to 80, each band being Or
ganized and disciplined under the
leadership Of an old dog wolf espe-
clally chosen for his wariness, speed
ana endurance. To this captain these
gaunt and grizzly marauders yield an
implicit and answering obedience-a
statement we'll evidenced from the fact
that II one Of these wolf leaders is
slain or crippled his band at once ANAL
gamates with some other troop pos
sessing leader of like capacity.
The age or size of their quarry is
OF little moment with these wolves, as
they pull down and devour alike COWS,
calves, steers, mares, colts and geld
lngs. Their attack is always strategy
cal and systematic, one portion of the
band assaulting from the front and fas-
tenlng on to the shoulder, ear or muz-
zle, and thus giving the big wild gray
dogs who are ever closing in from the
rear the objective opportunity of ham.
strlnging the victim. Once hamstrung,
1t is all over with the quarry, and the
entire band feasts at leisure. Mr..
Vincent has often seen on the Powder
river ranges the mere empty hide and
polished bones of what was once
lusty steer or vigorous gelding, as sad
souvenirs Of the raid Of a gray wolf
band.
The cattle herds are open and easy
prey to the bold canine bandits. the
cattle fleeing from the pursuers and
thus rendering individual attack easy
and successful. The horses, however,
with their superior intelligence, very
frequently beat off the wolves by form
ing on the open ground an equine
square with the mares and colts in
the centre, the gallant stations on
the corners and the best and bravest
geldings distributed on the outer lines
of defence. Not only do these equine
squares frequently beat off their as
sailants, but they sometimes rout the
wild dogs entirely. Staying numbers of
them by striking, kicking and tramp,
ling.
This is an especial result when the
horse herd has with 1t a stallion ex-
perienced in range life. He can smell
a wolf further than he can see him,
and at his shrill and warning neigh
the herd rushes together and quickly
forms the protecting square. The
wolves fully appreciate this fact, and
instances have been known of a gray
band numbering scores of raiders trot-
ting leisurely round one of these en-
battled equine squares and then seek
Ing other and easier prey.
The gray, wolf reaches a weight Of |
125 pounds, and boasts alike brain,
Drawn, a noiseless and tireless foot, a |
savage ferocity and an Unsuitable ap-
petite. 1t is said of him that he can
run longer and easier in given length |
Of time than any other known animal.
He is prolific breeder, s to 10 pups
being not uncommon litter, while
there is a Powder river instance of IS |
pups being slain as the progeny of |
three gray wolf dams.
Up to six months old the gray wolf
pup is awkward and unwieldy, and it
Is favorite cowboy pastime of the
Powder river ranges to locate a gray
Eolf litter on the prairie and shoot the
pups from horseback as they skulking-
ly roll and tumble from their coverts
In the grass and sage brush. Crack
shots with the pistol have been known
to get a pup with every bullet from
heir shooters.-Denver News.