Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1907-10-26
GOVERNMENT DESTROYING
BEASTS In FORREST s

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BEASTS IN FORREST s
Substantial evidence that the govern
ment is determined to put forth every
effort to bring the national forest land.
to the highest point of development i.
given in the activities of Uncle Sam il
planning the eradication of predatory
animals which destroy annually thcus
ands Of dollars. worth of stock running
on the ranges in the forests.
Eleven experienced trappers and hun
ters, whose knowledge of conditions and
training in the great West qualities them
to hunt wolves, mountain lions, coyotes
and wild cats successfully, have been as
signed to the work of exterminatinp
these destructive range animals in Ma
tional forests in eight western states.
These men supplied with traps, poisons,
guns and ammunition, are going at their
work in way which is beginning to
show its useful effect and the forest off
GERS believe that the losses caused by
the animals which make stock their
prey have been cut down very materi
ally.
The most effective way to destroy vol.
yes and coyotes is to locate their dens,
where, in addition to the old animals
the pups may be killed. In the Wind
river division of the Yellowstone Ma.
tional forest two forest guards acting as
hunters killed twenty.one pups and two
Old wolves in two months work this
summer. In another case, where two
hunters were working separately, one
found den and killed seven pups and
their mother and the other ranger killed
five pups in another den.
The Importance of killing these thirty,
six wolves in one National forest is real
lied only when the extent of damage
which sdone by these animals is known.
Vernon Bailey, who made an investiga.
ton OF the wolves last year for the for
est service, reported that in a certain
part of New Mexico, a moderate esti.
mate Of the stock killed by four wolves
was yearlirg cow or calf every three
days, or approximately hundred head
Of cattle year, to each wolf Counting
all as calves at the low rate of $1,000 a
head, each wolf would cost the ranch
man 81 100000 year. This would make
a saving Of S36,000.00 a year to the
ranchmen in the Yellowstone National
forest where the several hunters men
toned accomplished such effective work.
The work of killing off wolves and
other predatory animals on the Nation
al forests is going on equally well and
the stockmen grazing under permit in
the stripes of ranges within the boun-
daries of the forests will be saved many
thousands of dollars annually. As in
direct good coming from the govern
ment's activities will be to spur the
ranchers grazing outside of the National
forests to join the work of Kidding the
western ranges of destructive animals.
Besides the great saving through pre-
venting the loss of stock, further en-
is given the work in many
states where bounties as high as $50 90 |
a head are given for killing wolves, and !
$1,000 to $1,000 a head for mountain !
lions.
These hunters submit reports of the |
results of their work through the super
yisors of the forests upon which they |
are employed. A large number of APP |
plications for similar cooperation have |
been made by local stock association,
indicating their appreciation of the
value of this part of the forest service |
work. These applications are being act
ed upon as suitable men are found to
fill the positions and the funds set aside |
for this work will permit their employ
ment.
The forest service hunters have many !
exciting experiences in their work and |
even the oldest and most
tried Westerners have very close call /
for their lives. A short time ago huge |
bear was giving much trouble to the set.
tiers and stockmen in the Dixie Nation. |
al forest in Utah Two men and three |
dogs were sent out to hunt the beast, but |
they failed in locating it. In the latter
part of September, ranger came across |
Bruin on his patrol, shot and wounded |
him, and followed his trail. On the
third day he found and killed the big
animal, shooting him fourteen times.
The bear fell within six feet of the rang
er. lie weighed 500 pounds.