4 MISC. PUBLICATION 115, U. S. DEPT. OF AGRICULTURE 
OTHER FORMS SUBJECT TO CONTROL 
Though the chief control work directed by the Biological Survey 
is concerned with injurious rodents and predatory mammals, it some- 
times becomes necessary to investigate cases of damage by other 
classes of animal life, including moles, crawfishes, and land crabs, 
and to recommend measures for their control. 
INSTRUCTIONS REGARDING FIELD PRACTICES 
THE OBJECTIVE 
The underlying policy of the Biological Survey with regard to 
injurious species of wild animals has been and will continue to be 
one of control rather than complete eradication. The bureau is not 
embarked upon a general extermination program, but with every 
proper consideration for conservation interests, it has as its objec- 
tive in this field the adequate local control of injurious mammals, so 
that the burdensome losses suffered by farmers and stock raisers 
may be reduced to the minimum and beneficial forms of wild hfe 
protected from undue destruction by their natural enemies. Though 
in some cases this may mean local eradication of harmful forms, 
it will not result in the general extermination of any species. 
CONSERVATION, STATE LAWS, AND COOPERATION 
The Bureau of Biological Survey is an organization primarily 
and vitally interested in the conservation and protection of all 
forms of wild life, particularly where they are more beneficial than 
harmful. Those engaged under its direction in the control of pred- 
atory animals and injurious rodents are instructed to cooperate 
closely with Federal, State, and local officials intrusted with the 
administration of wild-life protective laws. They must also observe 
State and local laws regarding the protection of life and property, 
the exposing of poisons, and the trapping or otherwise endangering 
of valuable species. Control operations on State and private lands 
must be conducted in close cooperation with State officials and with 
property owners and tenants. 
PRECAUTIONS IN HANDLING POISONS 
Since poison may be dangerous in the hands of inexperienced and 
incompetent persons, every possible precaution must be taken when 
it is used in control operations, to safeguard persons, domestic stock, — 
and harmless and beneficial wild life. 
Poisons should not be exposed on private lands without the con- 
sent of the owners. 
