How TO Combat Rabbits, etc. 333 



Every burrow which shows evidence of being used should b- treated, and 

 all holes should be closed with dirt. One gallon is sufficient to treat from 

 100 to 130 holes (an av-rage of about 125 holes). This can be accom- 

 plished by one man in 2 to 3 hours. 



"Less gas is absorbed by damp soil than by dry soil, hence carbon 

 bisulphide is somewiiat more effective after a heavy rain. 



"Careful and judicious use should exterminate practically all of the 

 animals from the ar;;a treated. 



Caution 



"Carbon bisulphide evaporates very rapidly, so it should be kept in 

 tightly corked bottles or cans. It is highly explosive and inflammable and 

 should never be brought near fire." 



COYOTES 



Coyotes are valuable animals for destroying rabbits, prairie-dogs and 

 other small predatory animals; however occasionally they become so num- 

 erous as to attack and kill small calves, lambs and kids and to cause much 

 damage by killing chickens and turkeys. 



The following directions for poisoning coyotes is given by the U. S. 

 Biological Survey: 



"In poisoning coyotes it should be borne in mind that the animals are 

 of more than ordinary cunning. Their ability to detect the whereabouts 

 of a trap or the presence of poison in bait is remarkable. Great care 

 should be taken in preparing the bait to avoid human scent, for the coyote 

 seems to regard man as his worst enemy. In handling baits do not touch 

 them with bare hands, but use a pointed stick or wooden forceps. 



"To prepare poiso'ned bait place 3 grains of strychnine in a capsule and 

 insert it into a piece of suet or cow's udder about the size of an English 

 walnut, being careful to remove all strychnine from outside the capsule. 

 Strychnine is very bitter and if not put into capsules will be detected as 

 soon as taken into the mouth, and the animals, becoming suspicious, will 

 not sw^allow the bait, especially if much poisoning has been done in the 

 neighborhood. Baits should be allowed to stand in a wooden bucket about 

 48 hours before using to make sure that no human scent remains. 



"Coj'otes can be attracted to tbe poisoned baits by dragging a piece 

 of meat (or fresh cowhide) behind a saddle horse over foothills and 

 across trails where the animals come from the mountains to the valleys 

 for food and water, and then dropping the baits along the path thus made. 

 As the animals cross the path they will follow it and pick up and swallow 

 the poisoned baits, as their attention is on the scent of the meat drag. 



"Never poison a carcass, but wait until the coyotes have eaten half or 

 more than half of the fress carcass, then place poisoned baits around the 

 carcass, from 20 to 30 feet away. 



"As coyotes are very fond of fruit, dried figs and prunes make good 

 bait. Unless an attractive lure is placed near the baits to keep the animals 

 busy until the strychnine takes effect, they may get away and go a long 



