Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1906-04-26
BEASTS OF PREY.
Experts Devise Means to Protect Cat
tie and Sheep.


Wolves and mountain lions are
giving the stockmen a good deal of
trouble on the ranges in several of
the national forest reserves. vigor-
Gus complaints have been made to the
forest service of the loss of cattle and
sheep particularly cattle, from this
cause. Protection is sought by the
stockmen, and the forest service,
which collects a fee for the grazing
permits has promptly assumed the
task of finding and putting into effect
practical measures to aid the cattle
owners in exterminating the destruc-
tive animals.
The chief difficulty has been on the
Wind River division of the Yellow
stone reserve, in Wyoming. Some of
the live stock companies in the region
assert that the wolves are increasing
so rapidly that the future welfare of
the cattle industry is in serious dan
ger. Among the proposals which
these conditions have called forth
are that a bounty be offered for the
along the northern boundary of the
ella reserve, in New Mexico, and in
the Wichita, in Oklahoma, have suf-
fered almost as severely.
Last spring the government APP
pointed John Goff. the skilled hunter
who acted as guide to the president
during his hunting trip year ago, as
| forest ranger, and set him to hunting
''lions" in the Shoshone division of
the Yellowstone reserve, in Montana.
Now that the appeal from the stock
men on other reserves is SO vigorous,
especially for the determination of
the wolves, the service has Just sent
an expert into the field to study the
wolf problem. The man selected for
| this work is a recognized authority
on the game and other wild animals
of the country, Vernon Bailey, chief
field naturalist of the Biological sur
vey. from which he has been temper
arily transferred in order to secure
his services for this important project.
The animals which are causing so
much trouble to stockmen are COM
mon in their native habitat, but are
not hunted them. The wolf is known
In the west as the timber" wolf.
Though not large, 1t is powerful and
quick. Not only does it kill calves |
and yearlings with ease, but 1t at |
tacks and overcomes fnlgrown cat !
Ia af (
does not go for the throat, as so I
many beasts do but fastens its teeth |
in the muscles Of the leg, hamstring
ing its victim, which falls defense
less. But little of the carcass is usu
ally devoured by the wolves. The
lion" is, of course, the cougar, and
no true lion at ALL Nevertheless, it Is
a large and powerful beast, capable
of playing havoc among the cattle.
The wolves and lions are moi
classed in the west as game animals
but are regarded as pests and are
commonly called "varmits." Wher
ever they are plentiful bounty is of
fered to encourage their extermina
ton. Despite this, they are still suf
fciently numerous to work much
harm, and it Is said that in some 10.
calities they are on the increase.
It is particularly notable that there
has been so much complaint from the
Wichita reserve, which the president
has set aside as a game refuge. Tho
wolves and cougars are the enemies
of other wild animals, and sportsman
who desires to encourage American
game, can be counted on TO aid in thu
work Of hunting them down.
In any case, however, the lion am
the wolf must be driven from tn,
ranges. interests larger and NOR
substantial than those Of the hunts
man and trapper demand It, Tn
great live stock industry, which tn
forest service has pledged Itself 10 en-
courage in all legitimate directions
has had to pay heavy costs In the los
Of catt,e young and full grown. Ths
those holding permits may be assure
the full enjoyment Of their privileg
every effort will be mad
by the government to cooperate wit
The stockmen in protecting herds graz
ing on the reserves from attack.