Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-07-06
GRAY WOLF OF THE RANGES.
Is . Dangerous Foe Of Cattle. sheep
and Horses

Ia . Dangerous Foe Of Cattle, sheep
and Horses.
From the Denver News
| Lib Vincent. one of Wyoming's old-time
cow-punchers. and now riding on the Pow
der river ranges, says that TIE gray wolves
Of his section are legion In number and
as fearless as they are ferocious.
These gray and greedy scourges of the
Powder river stock areas do their raIding
| In bands ranging In numbers of from six
| to thirty. each band being organized and
disciplined under the leadership of an old
dog wolf especially chosen for his wari-
ness, speed and endurance To this cap
tain 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 amaigamates
with some other troop possessing a 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 geldings. Their attack is
always strategicaI and systematic. one por-
tion Of the band assaulting from the front
and fastening on to 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 hamstrfnging the
victim. Once hamstrung. II 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 a
lusey steer or vigorous gelding as sad
souvenirs of the raid OF gray wolf band.
The cattle herds are open and easy prey
to the bold canine bandits, the cattle fee
ing from the pursuers and thus rendering
Individual attack easy and successful. The
horses, however, with their superior INTEL
ligence, very frequently beat on the wolves
by forming on the open ground an equine
square, with the mares and colts in the
center. the gallant stations on the corners
and the best and bravest seldings distrlb-
ute1 on the outer lines OF defense. Not
only do these equine squares frequently
beat on their assailants, but they some
times rout the wild dogs entirely. staying
nurabers OF them by striking. kicking and
ranpling.
Tails Is an especial result when the horse
herd has with It -a-stallion experienced in
range life He can smell a wolf further
than he can see him. and at his shrill and
warning neigh the herd PUSHES together
and quickly forms the protecting square.
The wolves fully appreciate this fact. and
numbering scores OF raiders trottiag let's
ureiy around one of these embattled equine
squares and then seeking other and easier
prey.
The gray wolf reaches the weight of 125
pounds and boasts alike BRAIN Drawn.
noiseless and tireless foot. a savage feroci-
of him that he can run longer and easier.
eat oftener and more and display more
Gun aing and ferocity In a given length Of
time than any other known animal
He Is a prolific breeder. eight or ten pups
berg a not uncommon litter, while there Is
a Powder river instance of thirty-fve pups
being slain as the progeny OF three gray
woIt dams
Up to six months old the gray wolf pun
Is awkward and unwieIdy. and II IL IA
vorite cowboy pastime of the Powder river
ranges to locate a gray wolf litter on the
prairie and shoot the pups from horse
baci. as they skufkingty roll and tumble
from their coverts In the grass and sage
brush: Crack shots with the pistol have
beer known to get a pup with every bSi-
let from their six-shooters