As these wild cattle mentioned below soon demoralize the domestic
herds, so one or two wild youths may draw away many others from safe
paths.
Much has been written lately about wild horses infesting certain
mountain ranges of the West and menacing the interest of
stockmen. A report from a district in the Shasta National Forest
of California states that wild cattle have become a nuisance.
These animals are the descendants of domestic cattle, but having
run without restraint for several generations, have become
as wild as deer. Stockmen will not apply for ranges infested
by these cattle, since tame cattle soon adopt the habits of
their wild relatives and become equally as unmanageable. It is
impossible to gather young stock in the fall, which have run
with these animals even for a season.
The majority of the stockmen desire to shoot them, but certain
mountain-dwellers claim them, and shoot an occasional one for
winter beef. The forest officers will, in conjunction with the
stockmen interested, investigate the matter, and decide upon
some plan of ridding the forests of this pest.
(1605)