Mountain Home maverick. [volume] (Mountain Home, Idaho) 1906-1911, 1907-04-04
Destruction of Wolves and Coyotes
BY VERNON BAILEY Of the Bureau Biological Survey.

When possible, place the trap be-
tween two tufts of grass or weeds,
SO it can be readily approached from
one side only. Bury the stone,
chain, and trap out of sight, with
the trap nearest to the runway
where the wolves follow a trail or
road, cross narrow pass, or visit
carcass. The trap should be
flush with the surface of the
ground and the jaws and pan
covered with a piece of paper to
keep the earth from clogging under
the pan. Fine earth should then be
sprinkled over the paper until all
traces of trap and paper are con-
cealed. The surface of the ground
and surroundings should appear as
nearly as possible undisturbed. The
dust may be given natural appear
ance by sprinkliug it with water.
Touching the ground or other OBJ
jects with the hands, splitting near
the trap, or in any way leaving a
trace OF human odors near by should
be avoided. Old, we'll scented
gloves should be worn, and little
of the scent used tor the traps
should be rubbed on the shoe solcs.
A piece of old cowhidc may be used
to stand on and to pile the loose
earth on while burying the drag
and trap.
For coyotes use the best No. 3
double spring trap, unless in wolf
country, where it is better to use a
! trap strong enough to hold wolf.
In setting the trap use the same
, method and bait as for wolves, but
the traps may be stakcd or fas-
tened to stationary object with
more safety
Use of Scents. Success in trap
ping depends largely on the use of a
scent that will attract wolves and
coyotes to the traps and keep them
tramping and paving there until
caught Meat bait alone is CT little
use and often, indeed, scares the
| animals away. Of the many scents
and combinations tested the fctid
bait has proved most successful.
: L.
of raw beef or venison in a wide
, mouthed bottle and let it stand in a
? warm place (but not in the SUM for
two to six weeks, or until it is
/ thoroughly decayed and the odor
has become as offensive as possible.
When decomposition has reached
the proper stage add quart OF
. sperm oil or any liquid animal oil.
E Laid oil may be used, but prairie
, dog oil is better. Then add 1 ounce
, of tincturc of Siberian musk, OF
: Tonquin musk. If this can not be
of dry, pulverized castoreum (beaver
9 castor) or 1 ounce of the common
6 musk sold for perfumery. Mi1
6 we'll and bottle securely unit
c used.
S After setting the trap apply the
G scent with stick or straw or by
pouring from the bottle to the
e grass, weeds, or ground on the side
s of the trap opposite that from which
the wolf would naturally approach
o Never put scent on the trap, as the
= first impulse of the wolf after sniff
ing the scent is to roll on it.
4 This bait is very attractive alst
n to cattle and horses, which are sur,
S to tramp over and paw out tn,
e traps if set where they can get a
h them.
y Poisoning. NO poison has as yc
c proved so effective as pure sulphat'
d of strychnine, provided the propc
" dose is used The most effcctiv,
dose is grains for wolves and
Il grains for coyotes. The cUmmor
v 3-grain gelatin capsules sold b,
d druggists will hold, if we'll filled,
d grains of strychnino and are bette
n than the larger capuslcs. The reg
|. ular 2-grain capsules should b
Ie used for coyotes. The capsule
~ should be filled, securely capped
IF and every trace of the intensely bit
h ter drug wiped from the outside.
A Each capsule should be inserte
Of in a piece os beef suet the size of
e walnut and the cavity secured
De closed to keep out moisture. Lea
:; meat should not be used, as tn
2, Juice soon dissolves the gelatin c
lie the capsule. The necessary numbe
Id of poisoned bats may be prepare
D. and carried in tin can or pail
st They should never be handled ez
* cept with gloved hands or forcops
er The bats may be dropped fror
lie horseback along a scented drag lin
E. made by dragging an old bone {
TX piece of hide well saturated wit