10 ANIMAI. LIFE IN OKLAHOMA. 



aroused a widespread demand for their speedy extermination. The "stx- 

 shooter," so characteristic of the western cowboy, was originally carried 

 for the purpose of killing this wolf, but the practice soon spread far 

 beyond the limits of the Loafer range and probably will be kept alive 

 forever in the "movies." The ranch owner furnished the guns and 

 ammunition to the cowboys and they were given the skin as a special 

 reward if they were fortunate enough to kill one of these destructive 

 beasts. The Loafer wolf generally frequents the rough country and 

 forages over definite ranges which he covers in cycles every seven days. 

 Settlers have taken advantage of this unusual habit and have proceeded 

 by systematic poisoning to protect their herds from these marauders. 

 The Loafer is now practically extinct in this State, and its passing will 

 be a signal for unbounded rejoicing by cattle men everywhere who have 

 herds within its range. 



COYOTES. 



The coyote is one of those unfortunate members of our animal 

 society whose position has not been understood and whose services have 

 never met with the appreciation which they deserve. These animals 

 are distributed throughout the State but do not occur in large numbers 

 in any particular locality. The coyote has long been known as a chicken 

 thief, and does occasionally frequent poultry yards that have been care- 

 lessly left open at night, but it renders a service to the farmer in the 

 destruction of large numbers of mice, rats, gophers, and rabbits that 

 pays many times over for its one unfortunate indulgence. The coyote 

 may not be an altogether desirable resident of a crowded agricultural 

 district, but it is capable of much good and by no means deserves the 

 unenviable reputation which it has. 



BADGERS AND SKUNKS. 



With the possible exception of hawks and coyotes no living animals 

 have been more unjustly persecuted than the badger and the common 

 skunk. Both have a few bad habits, but if a ledger of all their services 

 were kept it would show such a balance in their favor as would put to 

 shame the army of thoughtless men and boys who annually pursue to 

 certain and unmerciful death these valuable allies of the farmer. 



Badgers were at one time fairly numerous in this State, but per- 

 sistent and systematic killing by everybody has so reduced them that 

 only a few remain. They can live in arid regions where the annual 

 rainfall is so slight that it would seem impossible for any animal to 

 survive. They live in burrows, and have flat, compact bodies with 

 powerful fore feet and claws which enable them to dig with a rapidity 

 that few animals attain. They are thus equipped to dig out and destroy 

 myriads of ground squirrels, gophers, and prairie dogs, which, on account 

 of their habits of life, are practically immune from the attacks of all 

 other predatory animals. 



The skunk, of which several kinds occur in Oklahoma, is scattered 

 more generally throughout the State and perhaps has a few more bad 



