MAMMALS IN THEIR RELATION TO SPOTTED FEVER. 5 

 METHODS OF DESTRUCTION. 



Experiments are now being made in Bitterroot Valley to discover 

 the most practical methods of destroying the several species of mam- 

 mals that act as hosts for the fever tick. Excellent formulas have 

 been Avorked out for poisoning ground squirrels and other rodents in 

 California and elsewhere, but methods which give satisfactory re- 

 sults in one region are often less successful in another or when tried 

 on a different though nearly related species. It is hoped therefore 

 ultimately to replace the formulas here given by others that will 

 prove even cheaper and better. 



In distributing poisoned grain to kill rodents too much care can 

 not be exercised to prevent the destruction of game birds and other 

 valuable species. Except under very exceptional circumstances 

 poisoned grain should never be sown broadcast, but should be 

 dropped, a few grains in a place, near the mouths of the burrows, if 

 for ground squirrels, and under stones, pieces of bark or board, or 

 in old tin cans, if intended to be eaten by mice and rats. 



GAME ANIMALS. 



The removal of protection from any of the big game animals — 

 moose, elk, mule deer, white-tailed deer, goats, and mountain sheep — 

 would result in their speedy disappearance at the hands of hunters, 

 but in and around Bitterroot Valley the numbers of game animals 

 are comparatively small and their range so remote from human hab- 

 itations that their destruction, on the ground that some of them 

 carry ticks, is unwarranted, especially as it would have little or no 

 effect on attempts to stamp out the fever. 



BEARS. 



Bears have proved prolific hosts for ticks in the Bitterroot region. 

 In the past they have been both trapped and hunted, and vigorous 

 efforts will probably secure what remain. They are successfully fol- 

 lowed with dogs and are easily trapped. 



FUR-BEARING ANIMALS. 



Furs are now so high that if a reduction in the number of fur 

 bearers is thought desirable, it is necessary only to remove the restric- 

 tions on trapping in any given area, when trappers will concentrate 

 their efforts there and soon diminish the numbers. 



WOLVES AND COYOTES. 



Full directions for trapping and poisoning wolves and coyotes 

 are given in Circular No. G3 of the Biological Survey. Scent baits 

 composed of putrid meat, sperm oil, or any liquid animal oil, asa- 



[Cir. 82] 



