Rodent trapping 



In 1954, 30 rodent traps were set; 15 in the tijnber and 15 in a 

 clearcutting to determine numbers of seed-eating rodents o Traps were 

 set a half -chain apart and baited with peanut butter. Each trap was 

 visited daily for three consecutive days. Six mice ( Peromyscus ; 

 and no shrews ( Sorex ) were trapped in the woods; a value of 13*3 per- 

 cent per 100 trap-days c Thirteen mice and one shrew were trapped in 

 the clear cut; a value of 31 •! percent per 100 trap-days. 



In 1955, 20 rodent traps were set only in the clearcut area and 

 the location changed each month. Trapping was done during June, Jioly, 

 August, and September, and each trap was visited daily for three 

 consecutive days. 



The results of 240 trap-days in the four areas are shown in table 4« 

 Average percent per 100 trap-days for the period J-one throiogh 

 September, inclusive, is 14»2, Of the 34 rodents caught, 16 were mice 

 and 18 were shrews. 



Seed-eating mammals and birds can limit, or conpletely nullify, efforts 

 of reforestation by direct seeding. It has been found by others that 

 a population of 6 or more mice per acre can make serious inroads into 

 all but the greatest of natural seed falls o 



Results shown in table 4 indicate a high rodent population. 



AH rodents are not equally bad from the standpoint of seed consumption. 



Deer mice feed heavily on coniferous seed. Shrews, though normally 



considered meat eaters, will eat some 



tree seed. Seed acceptance tests, . ^, 



plus a pilot study on rodent poison- ' ^^' '^-^£^ ^ "^-tST^ 



ing, will be made during the 1956 field ^^'"^ "^ 



season in cooperation with the r^ , |- 



Fish and Wildlife Service, a''^* 



Figure 6,— Good growth of Sitka 

 spruce on disturbed seedbed. 



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