New York State Comptroller's Office Wolf Bounty Affidavits

Arrranged by county, then chronological.

This series consists of affidavits signed by town supervisors and justices of the peace and forwarded to the State Comptroller certifying that the person named in the affidavit did, in fact, kill a wolf or wolves and is entitled to his bounty of ten dollars. The records were generated pursuant to Chapter 129 of the Laws of 1815, which allowed twenty dollars for the killing of a full grown wolf and Chapter 26 of the Laws of 1822 ("An act to encourage the destruction of wolves") which reduced the bounty to ten dollars and provided for the bounty to be paid for by the County Treasurer to any person killing a grown wolf or pup wolf.

Persons who wished to collect bounties were to bring the head of a wolf to a county official. The official would issue an affidavit as proof of the kill, the affidavit would be honored and the bounty paid by the County Treasurer. The official would burn the wolf's ears. The affidavit would be forwarded to the State Comptroller who would credit the county treasurer's account accordingly. The records contain the name of the Town Supervisor, Justice of the Peace, name of the Town and County, name of person collecting bounty, date of affidavit, date when bounty was paid, and the signature of the County Treasurer.

Folder list.

This series was transferred by State Library Manuscripts and Special Collections in November 2000 and accessioned by the Archives in April 2001.

There are no restrictions regarding access to or use of the material.