Lewiston evening teller. [volume] (Lewiston, Idaho) 1903-1911, 1907-02-25

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business to exterminate all the noxious
animals that prey on livestock, has
been so well received that it was rec
commended at the recent national wool
while it was practically the unanimous
choice Of the Idaho woolgrowers' as
ISOLATION which met in Boise in Janu-
airy.
| Salary for Hunters.
While it has not been tested on a
statewide scale, 1t was put into OPP
GRAFTON over large section of south
ern and eastern Idaho, and is believed
to be perfectly adapted for a whole
state.
The bill as introduced proposes to
pay hunters SO day, and to furnish
them with bait for poisoning, as we'll
as other appliances necessary for
their work, except guns, which they
furnish themselves.
! Worn out horses that are fit sub
jects for a legal execution in the in
terest of humanity, are to be the bait.
The hunters are to turn in the scalps
and hides of the noxious animals they
kill, but whatever else they may get
is their own. There are many small
fur bearing animals in the state, which
can be added to their line of game, and
which bring high prices, enough to
make the appointment of 'wolfer'
valuable one. Six years ago there
were many applicants for the job at
50 a day.
Ravaees Are Expensive.
Few realize the ravages committed
| on domestic and range stock by
wolves and other predatory animals
In New Mexico it has been estimated
| that the annual loss is close to $1,000
900. Where they are not too closely
| watched, a wolf is estimated to kill
two or three cattle a week, very rare
ly returning to the carcass of an ami
NAL even of it's owA kill.
In New Mexico, as high as 200 head
a year for the full grown wolves has
been the estimate, While this is
doubtless too high, the estimate OF
| $1,000 worth of stock year is given
as most conservative by the many re-
ports sent to the livestock bureau at
Washington.
There are enough wolves now here
In Idaho to make the question a pert
inent on. A letter from one of the
large cattle owners of Lemhi county
few days ago, reports a loss of ap-
proximately one-tenth or his herds
this winter because of the wolves.
Coyotes Are Destructive.
But these prowling animals infiict
a heavy loss every year through their
visits to pig pens and chicken yards,
all over the state.
Quite a sum is accommodating in the
fish and game commission, above the
present requirements of that depart
ment. 1t is proposed by the fish and
game warden that it might be posi-
BILE to spare $4,000 year towards the
determination of the wild animals that
prey upon game.
It is believed that coyotes destroy
hundreds Of thousands of grouse an
nually, either by robbing the nests of
the eggs, or by killing the young birds.
Ducks are also easy game for the coy
otes, and some deer are killed by
them. Cougars, however, are the great
enemies of the deer.
Cougars Kill Many Deer.
A grown cougar is said to kill an
/ average of one deer a week, or even
more In north Idaho these animals
are very plentiful; one hunter brought
eight fresh skins to Grangeville last
winter in one day. and several hunt
ers brought in from two to four
In the aggregate, the cougars kill
thousands of deer annually, besides
4 the horses and sheep. Colts especially
are their chosen prey and it is rare
for a mare that is left to run in the
woods of north Idaho to come back
in the fall with her colt by her side.
The bill as drawn proposes TO tax
horses. cattle and sheep-horses ami
cattle mill on the dollar for the
taxed valuation, and sheep mills on
the dollar.
One Objection Is Raised.
This throws the large burden of the
TAX on the sheep men, who will pay as
nearly as can be estimated, four
afths of the total tax. They are will
ing TO do this, as their stock is more
susceptible to the attacks Of predatory
animals.
One objection raised in the COM
mittee which considered the measure |
was that It entrusted the expenditure |.