i 



138 RODENTS OF IOWA 



furnish guns and ammunition during practically all the winter 

 months. Ferreting is practiced on a small scale in some loealities, 

 as is also the use of the beagle, in which case the gun is depended 

 upon to kill the game. 



Rabbits are easily trapped, and this method of destruction is 

 cjuite widely practiced in the stale. Although slow it is practicable 

 in gardens, orchards, and nurseries. The old fashioned box trap 

 with a figure-4 trigger, the details of whose construction are known 

 to almost every boy, is most often employed. 



Another form of trap known as the "Wellhouse" trap and 

 used very successfully in Kansas is easily .constructed. "The trap 

 is a box made of 6-inch fencing beards, old ones being preferred. 

 The box is about 21 inches long, closed at the bacK by a board, 

 but in front by a wire door only. The door is hung from the top 

 and swings inward. A cleat at the bottom prevents its opening 

 outward. The trap is set and the wire door is kept open by a wire 

 trigger-rod, held in place by two staples fastened to the top of the 

 box. This trigger is bent downward near the rear of the trap and 

 formed into a loop or a figure eight. As the rabbit enters the trap 

 and crowds into the back part, it pushes upon the loop, moves the 

 trigger wire backward, and releases the wire door. This falls 

 and makes the rabbit a prisoner. Bait may be used, but is not 

 necessary, since the cottontail is oonstantly looking for dark places 

 to hide from enemies or cold winds. 



"The materials needed for making a Wellhouse trap are: Four 

 boards 1 b_y 6. 21 inches long; one piece 1 by C, 8 inches long for 

 the back ; a short cleat for the door stop ; 281/^ inches of wire to 

 serve for the door; 22 inches of wire for the trigger; four small 

 staples for hanging the door and trigger; and nails."''*' 



One of the most effective and, at the same time one of the 

 cheapest methods of destroying rabbits is by means of poison, the 

 most favorable time for its use being in the winter. Crystals of 

 strychnia sulphate are placed in apples or ripe prunes, which are 

 then scattered along the paths or runways frequented by the rab- 

 bits. The poisoned baits may be placed on the ground or raised 

 on a short stick. This plan has proved effective in some of the 

 nurseries of the state. Another method of poisoning rabbits in 

 winter is to f^ut small twigs from apple trees and dip them into 

 a solution of strychnin and sugar, after which they are scattered 



8'Lantz, D. E., Yearbook, U. S. Dept. Agriculture, 1907, 337-338. 



