Bulletin 320 CONTROL OF THE COYOTE IN CALIFORNIA 



389 



POISONING 



1. Properly used and safeguarded, poisoning with strychnine is a 

 valuable aid in coyote control. . 



2. If local or county poison campaigns be inaugurated, the work 

 should be done under the direct supervision of the Predator}^- Animal 

 Inspector of the Bureau of Biological Survey, United States Depart- 

 ment of Agriculture, or of some other responsible person experienced 

 in such work. Indiscriminate use of strychnine is illegal, and its use 

 by irresponsible parties cannot be too strongly condemned. 



3. Poisoning with suet pellets containing 2 grains of strychnine 

 enclosed in a gelatin caj>sule is the best method for general use. 

 These pellets are deadly, easy to prepare, economical, and convenient 

 to handle. Directions for making the poisoned suet pellets are given 

 herewdth. 



4. The object of placing the strychnine in the gelatin capsule is 

 to conceal its bitter taste. Enclosing the capsule in suet, bacon, or 

 other grea.se insures protection from rain or moisture ; and the grease 

 covering also assists the coyote in finding the pellets wiiich, being small 

 and tasty, are swallowed whole by the unsuspecting animal. 



DIRECTIONS FOR MAKING POISONED SUET PELLETS 



Pro^dde : 



1. A handful of beef suet which has been run through a meat 

 grinder. 



2. A supply of gelatin capsules filled with 2 grains of powdered 

 strj'chnine sulphate. After being filled, the capsules should be 

 thoroughly wiped or dipped in alcohol to remove any of the bitter 

 strychnine that may have adhered to the outside. 



3. A piece of bamboo % inch long with a hole about i/^ inch in 

 diameter. 



4. An old penholder, and a stick which will just slide through 

 the piece of bamboo. 



5. A wooden bucket. 



6. A supply of waxed paper, such as that used in wrapping candy 

 or butter, cut into sections 3X4 inches. 



Crowd the suet into the piece of bamboo until the hole is full. 

 Then with the end of the penholder punch a hole in the suet large 

 enough to hold the 2-grain cap.sule containing the strychnine. Place 

 the capsule in this hole, then with the larger stick shove the suet plug, 

 containing the capsule, out of the piece of bamboo. Roll the bullet- 



