394 UNIVERSITY OP CALIFORNIA — EXPERIMENT STATION 



redriven. The woven wire fence would cost about the same as the 

 stake fence, and may be expected to last as long with considerably 

 less danger of damage by fire. 



Fencing against coyotes is impracticable on the open sheep range 

 in most parts of California, but in certain hilly sections where herding 

 is difficult and where redwood for fencing is near at hand, this method 

 has, as stated above, proved of decided value. 



COYOTES VERSUS DOGS 



The average ranch dog is worthless as a coyote destroyer. A single 

 dog is at a disadvantage since two or more coyotes may lie in wait for 

 him. However, there are wellknown instances where a brace of wolf 

 hounds or a pack of fox hounds has "cleaned up" the coyotes in the 

 vicinity of ranches. It is a difficult matter to combine the use of traps, 

 strychnine and dogs without disastrous results to the dogs. 



THE DANGEROUS BOUNTY SYSTEM 



In 1919 twenty-eight counties in California offered bounties on 

 coyotes ranging in amount from one dollar in Mono County to twenty 

 dollars in Sonoma County (see map, fig. 7). A conservative estimate 

 based on the returns of several years, places the average amount paid 

 out for coyote bounties in this state at about $40,000 per year. Vary- 

 ing widely in the different counties, the bomity system has been sub- 

 ject to frequent change and abuse. A typical county ordinance 

 provides that the affidavit necessary to secure the bounty may be made 

 before any officer authorized to administer oaths. In other words this 

 official, often unfamiliar with the animals in question, is the only 

 person required to pass on the identity of the scalp or scalps presented ; 

 and the law provides that all scalps (evidence) be destroyed at this 

 time. Many bounties are thus allowed through simple error and it is 

 believed that much money is wasted in this manner. 



If the bounty system must be used at all, correct identification of 

 skins should be insured by insisting that the whole skin be presented 

 for bounty; indeed, in doubtful cases the skull should be produced. 

 At the time the bounty is paid the skin should not be cut in any man- 

 ner which will tend to decrease its value in the fur market. Instead 

 of cutting off the hind feet, it is a better plan to require that the 

 bones (radius and ulna) of the right fore leg be left attached to the 

 skin, in order to bring the bounty. These leg bones are detached 



