A Rancher's Opinion
Ranches are large farms
where livestock, such
as cattle and sheep, are raised
for food. Ranching is a major
industry in Wyoming and Montana.
Since ranching is essential to
the economy in the Yellowstone
region, loss of livestock can cause
economic hardship for ranchers.
In the last few centuries, people
made the long journey west
to create better lives for their
families. Settlers needed a way
to earn a living. Ranching
provided a way to use the land
to make money.
In the early 20th century, the
government offered a bounty,
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or a monetary reward, for killing
wolves. Wolves were seen as
predators and as a threat to
livestock. Many ranchers readily
accepted these bounties because
they were convinced that wolves
threatened their livestock.
They also liked the amount of
money they could make from
the bounties.
