The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1907-06-26

Inc government mas obtained an ON
cial hunter. not. a mere mOllycoddle Of an
octopus slayer br a special commissioner
who seeks thee money devil in his sky
scrapang lair, but the genuine. simon
pure article. vino will 20 around with a
real gun with the intention OF killing big
game at so much per. 10 be paid for
out Of Uncle Sans treasury.
He is J. NJ Moody. and the appoint
ment. which was made by the United
States Forest Service. is to take effect
July 1. wlen the official Nimrod will
assume his new duties in the Dixie Ma
tional Forest in Utah.
The appointment. according to a state
ment made by the Forest Service yester-
day, has greater significance than APP
pears on the surface" and 10 this ex-
plantations is added that 1T Is fulfill
ment Of the promise OF the Forest Service
70 do something 20 help settlers all over
the West 10 lessen the losses they have
suffered from predatory animals"
But let the Forest Bulletin tell the
story:
From the time Of the first settlement
Of tho country this has been one Of the
greatest sources Of loss to the rancher
and farmer, The country, not suited 10
cultivation, which is large in extent, has
always furnished a refuge TO cougars and
wolves and Others Of their class.
VIII Externrinate Beasts.
Nov that the government. through the
Forestry Service. has undertaken the ad-
ministration of land of this character, ac-
tive work hasibeen started to exterminate
such animals. Hunters have already been
appointed in some other States, and this
Is the second appointment this year for
Utah
Excellent results are reported from
some localities. The rangers on one Of
the divisions ofsthe Yellowstone Forest.
in e few weeks last spring, killed over
thirty old and young wolves. besides a
number Of young coyotes.
THE government has the great advan-
tage Of being systematic When bOunties
are relied on. these animals are uudoubted-
" killed but only when they are numer-
Gus enough 10 pay a hunter, and it is no
ones business 10 see that they are regu-
larry kept down. II is now part Of a for
est rangers duties to hunt predatory
animals, and with the addition Of skilled
hunters 70 the force, whose business IS TO
hunt excellent results are expected.
Citizens Made Request
disappointment in the Dixie National
Forest was made directly in response to
q petition to the forester by the citizens
OF Pine Valley. Conditions there were so
bad that farmers were afraid to allow
their children TO go after mich COWS in
the evening, and the losses from stock
killed were heavy.
The supervisor Of the Dixie National
Forest reports that in 1883 and 1890 sew
euty-two head OF cattle were Killed in a "a
dius OF twenty miles, near the towns OF
Pine Valley, Pinto. and New Harmony.
The cattle belonged TO the people Of those
three towns. Since that date there have
been from eight TO twenty-five killed an
nually.
During April and May Of this year
eight were killed near Pine Valley, some
Of them in the fields very near the houses.
Many accounts have been received OF the
depredations Of cougars in this locality
In one case some ranchers were only
mile and a half from Pine Valley in q
canyon getting poles when a cougar came
to their wagon and attacked a colt. They
drove IL off with clubs, but in the night
It returned and killed the colt. In another
case the tables were turned and a cougar
was lassoed by John " PulsIpher and
dragged 20 death.
There are many instances Of this kind.
and with the idea Of ending them and
preventing further loss the Forest Serv-
ice will prosecute a vigorous war on pred
atory animals. It is starting with excel
lent promise Of success. and It has the
best wishes Of every citizen Of Utah"