Wolf Legislation Officials with Montana's Fish Wildlife and Parks said last year wolves killed 183 cattle and 213 sheep in Montana Wyoming and Idaho. New legislation would offer ranchers federal subsidies for these losses but Hammond said it might not be worth the trouble. "It's hard to prove a wolf kill," Hammond said. "If you don't find it immediately, it's hard to tell what killed 'em." He added that wolves are more destructive that some might think. "Anytime a herd of predators gets working on cattle, they damage as much as they kill because they'll run a bunch over a cut bank through a fence and damage the animals," Hammond said. "You'll find them with a broken leg or cut open. They'll do more of that than actually killing them." He said cattle often eat less when predators are around because they're stressed. This can affect a rancher's bottom line. "When the herd gets nervous, they don't gain weight," he said. "That adds up to a lot of money at a dollar a pound." The proposed bill does have some money for ranchers to buy guard dogs to protest the herd, but Hammond said he's always afraid there's a catch. "Every time you have your handout to the government they stick a hook in it," he said....A pretty savvy fellow.