South Dakota Badlands 6L Ranch Wolf Hunting 'Bunch Of Greys' 1910 Real Photo Postcard

The scene depicted on this postcard reflects the widespread practice of predator control in the American West during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Professional "wolfers" were active hunters, often employed or compensated by ranching interests and government agencies to eradicate wolves, perceived as a significant threat to livestock and the burgeoning agricultural industry. The term "greys" refers to grey wolves (Canis lupus), which were systematically targeted through trapping, poisoning, and shooting across vast territories.

This era marked a fervent campaign to eliminate large predators, driven by economic incentives like bounties and the value of fur pelts in the fur trade. The relentless efforts of wolfers and other hunters led to a dramatic decline, and in many regions, the near extirpation, of wolf populations. Such images served as evidence of successful hunts, showcasing the scale of the culling and reinforcing the narrative of taming the wilderness and making it safe for settlement and ranching.