In the past centuries, woods were protected to safeguard some of the human basic needs. However, there was a hidden benefit which was pursued against law. Indeed, with the aim of gaining economic benefits over time through captures and kills, while governments encouraged wolf extinction with cash prizes, hunters protected the predator's vital environment to maintain its presence. This study deals with this topic thanks to some unpublished archival documents referring to Cicolano, an internal area in the province of Rieti (Italy)
