6 MISC. PUBLICATION 115,<U. S. DEPT. OF AGRICULTURE 
PREDATORY-ANIMAL CONTROL 
Poisoning operations for the control of predatory animals should 
be limited strictly to areas where there is urgent need. They will 
not be undertaken under the direction of the Biological Survey 
where trapping or other means of control are practicable and the 
cost is not prohibitive. 
The handling of poisons should be intrusted only to properly 
trained men working under the supervision of the Bureau of Bio- 
logical Survey. | 
Poison stations set for coyotes and wolves should be placed away 
from the timbered and well-watered areas that are frequented by 
foxes, raccoons, skunks, minks, and other valuable forms of car- 
nivorous animals. 
In many agricultural sections poisons should not be used at all 
because of the obvious risks. 
The methods of handling poisons developed and used by the Bio- 
logical Survey can be employed most effectively and economically 
in controlling predatory animals at proper seasons in regions 
where conditions are favorable. Poison is especially suitable for 
winter use against predators on some of the great stock ranges 
of the West, as it can then be employed with little or no danger 
to useful life. The cost of the same measure of control by any 
other known means would be practically prohibitive. 
The control of predatory animals is an exceedingly difficult and 
costly task, and the use of poisons in this work, particularly under 
experienced supervision, materially reduces the expense. When 
properly used, poison should not be more destructive to other species 
than the use of traps, and in some cases it has been found to be 
even less harmful and more humane. 
Hunters should take every precaution to protect harmless and 
valuable mammals and birds and should be familiar with the anti- 
dotes for each poison used. 
Only strychnine as processed by the Biological Survey should be 
used in operations against predatory mammals, because it can be 
handled safely, is constant in effect, and, since it kills quickly, its 
action is humane. 
Baits made of small pieces of perishable fat should be used almost 
to the exclusion of others by field men and cooperators of the 
bureau. They should be systematically placed about “decoy sta- 
tions” consisting of carcasses of worn-out horses or other useless 
animals or pieces of meat. Wherever possible they should be placed 
in slight depressions and covered with thin flat stones, pieces 
of hide, or other light material, as coyotes and wolves can easily 
detect them under such cover, but they are thus made inaccessible 
to birds. 
