Starting in 1914 , the U.S. Congress gave funds for the purposes of `` destroying wolves , prairie dogs , and other animals injurious to agriculture and animal husbandry '' on public lands . Starting in 1914 , in an effort to protect elk populations , the U.S. Congress appropriated funds to be used for the purposes of `` destroying wolves , prairie dogs , and other animals injurious to agriculture and animal husbandry '' on public lands .