East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1909-05-12

InOuBn the scalp DOunly law BOes
into effect May 22, it is probable that
no bounties will be paid until after
the first Of June. County Clerk Sal
J ing has received copy of the laws
and a letter from the secretary OF
state. The letter states that no
blanks or records will be sent him
until after the 22nd of the month,
and for this reason it will be impos-
sible to pay the bounties until the
blanks are received.
1t seems that the secretary cannot
order the forms printed until after
the law goes into effect. AS it will
require some time for the printing
and still more for the shipment, sew
eral days must elapse before the
clerk will be in possession of the
papers enabling him to pay the boun-
ties.
Trouble Anticipated.
County Clerk Sailing anticipates
much trouble when he comes to max
ing payments on bounties, as many
of the ranchers and those killing kill
ing coyotes, not knowing the full text
of the law, have not skinned the ami
mails properly. The law specifies that
the scalp and all four claws must be
attached to the skin, whereas prac-
tically all of the skins which have
been presented so far have been mi
nus the feet. The clerk will there
fore be unable to pay bounty on these
and they are worthless. The reason
for demanding that the feet shall be
attached is to enable the clerk to de-
tach the two foreclaws and give the
skin back to the killer.
The terms of the bounty law are
as follows:
For coyotes killed in this county
bounty Of $3.50 will be paid; for
gray or black wolf, s55; for gray or
black wolf pup, $3.50; for bob cat.
wild cat or lynx, So; for mountain Ii
on, panther or cougar, $40.
To Collect Bounty.
To collect this bounty the hunter
must appear in person before the
county clerk, and make affidavit that
the animals were killed by himself
within the preceding six months; that
they were killed within the county.
and that they We're not whelped in
captivity nor brought in from any
other state or county. The affidavit
must also state that the animals were
not killed prior to February l. 1909.
Further than that there must be a
second affidavit, from a resident tax
payer of the county, who must state
that he is personally acquainted with
the party who seeks payment. and
believes his statements to be true.
The entire hide, including the scalp
of coyotes and wolves, and all four
feet of wild cats, mountain lions. ETC.,
must be brought to the clerk. who,
after careful examination may sever
the scalps or the front feet, as the
case may be, carefully preserving
them, and return the hides to the
owner.
This evidence that the clerk has
paid for so many dead varmints must
be presented with his vouchers at the
next meeting of the county court, and
after the account is found to be cor
rect the number of vouchers and the
paid out tallying with the
provisions of the law, the scalps and
feet will be burned.
State Pays Half.
The clerk must then file a state
ment with the secretary of state |
showing the amount paid out by the |
county, and half of the outlay will |
be returned from the general fund of |
the state.
Penalties for Falsifyins.
Quite severe penalties are attached |
to the making of false affidavits. The |
law provides that any one making |
any false statement in connection with |
the collection of bounties shall be |
deemed kuilty of perjury, and pun
shable with a fine of not less than |
5000, nor more than $1,000, or inn |
of not less than three |
months nor more than one year, or |
both. To make it still more imposs-
ble for the state to suffer from fraud |
here is further provision that any |
one attempting to collect bounties on |
animals not killed in the county, or |
within the time limit of six months, (
Or before February 1 of this year, |
shall be guilty of misdemeanor, and |
With liability to the same punishment !
rs for perjury. Thus a piece of trick
cry might very easily result in a con- |
7iction on two counts. with serious
Denaltieg