WEST OF THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER. 911 



DEPREDATIONS OF WILD ANIMALS. 



The greatest and most discouraging obstacle encountered by the 

 sheepmen of Texas is that omnipresent evil, the depredations of wild 

 animals. From this cause alone the flockmasters suffer an annual loss 

 of sheep and goats amounting to over $500,000. The increasing loss 

 of calves, colts, and poultry are not considered in this conservative 

 estimate; and yet it is a significant fact that bloodthirsty brutes are 

 increasing in numbers from year to year — the coyote particularly. 

 The small flockmasters in many counties are abandoning the business 

 on account of wolves, and in such localities the land, instead of ad- 

 vancing in value, is at a standstill or is depreciating. It is a serious 

 matter to the sheepmen, and it is hoped that the present agitation of 

 the subject may result in prompt relief and stop the slaughter of live 

 stock that is damaging the animal industry of the western ranges to 

 an extent indeed alarming. 



The Texas wolf and bounty law is a failure. The act in force at this 

 writing is as follows : 



That the county commissioners of the several counties within the State may issue 

 county warrants to the person killing in any amount not exceeding $3 for every 

 wolf, coyote, wildcat, and fox ; and 5 cents for each rahhit that shall be ca2>tured 

 and killed in the said county. No person shall he entitled to receive any bounty as 

 set forth in section one without first making it appear by positive proof by aflSdavit 

 in writing, filed with the county clerk, that the wolf, coyote, wildcat, rabbit, or 

 fox was captured or killed within the limits of the county in which application was 

 made. This act shall not apply to counties having a total property valuation of less 

 than $500,000, and shall not be in force until ordered by the board of county com- 

 missioners. 



The local application of the law, together with its restrictive features, 

 greatly interferes with the intended usefulness of the act. It will not 

 afford protection, except in wealthy counties, where ample bounty is 

 offered. In the sparsely settled counties, where the depredations are 

 greatest, the law does not apply, and in no county unless it is the 

 pleasure of the board of county commissioners; and even if they are 

 disposed to take advantage of the act and order the law in force, they 

 make the bounty so small, usually 50 cents per head, that unless the 

 sheepmen themselves voluntarily increase the bounty it offers no induce- 

 ment to hunt down the wolves. Amovement has been inaugurated by the 

 sheepmen to have the legislature of 1891 enact a law that wiU be of 

 some service to the industry as well as increasing the taxable wealth 

 of the State. 



To give some idea of the losses a few individual cases are cited : Ira 

 Johnson, of Travis County, had a small flock of 300 mature sheep and 

 40 lambs, and out of this number he lost 30 lambs and 25 sheep from 

 wolves and dogs. The following from the Boerne Post, a local paper 

 in western Texas, vividly describes the situation there : 



We learn that a gentleman leaving his ranch on the Guadalupe River, because of 

 the depredations of wild animals, has sold out, finding it impossible to cope with his 



