384 MANAGEMENT AND FEEDING OF SHEEP 



Meantime, however, it would clearly be a mistake to cease 

 to offer bounties for wolf hides. 



Wolf hunts are frequently conducted in various por- 

 tions of the range country. Horsemen go out in different 

 directions and drive the wolves toward a center, where 

 they are dispatched in various ways, but chiefly by dogs. 

 The most useful dogs in hunting wolves are staghounds, 

 Russian wolf hounds, greyhounds and their crosses. The 

 ordinary greyhound can easily overtake a coyote, but is 

 usually unable to kill it unaided. Three dogs are fre- 

 quently needed to successfully chase and kill a coyote. 

 This method of hunting is costly in horseflesh and in the 

 time of the riders, and in some instances in dogs. By 

 watching near the dens before daylight old wolves may 

 sometimes be shot on their return from a nocturnal trip. 

 But in no way can they be destroyed so effectively and so 

 easily as by capturing the young in the breeding dens. A 

 spade is usually necessary* as an aid to getting into the 

 dens and a stout hook on the end of a stick will aid in 

 getting them out of the crevices. One of the most effec- 

 tive means of protecting sheep from wolves is to confine 

 them within fences of suitable construction. At the first a 

 few barb wires properly stretched will keep out coyotes, 

 but in time these will not prove effective. For the con- 

 struction of a fence that will protect, see page 372. Such 

 fencing is very suitable for corrals which are indispensa- 

 ble in the range country. It is costly, however, under 

 ordinary range conditions, but increased revenue will 

 accrue from the complete control which it gives the 

 ranchman over the management of at least a portion of 

 his grazing grounds. 



