The circle banner., 1924-03-07
GETTING RID OF
THE JACK RABBITS
(From Montana state ColIege)

"A rabbits, in those sections Of
4 n the state where they have be
come numerous enough to be a pest
is in the winter time when the snow
is on the ground, according to H. L.
Lantz, county agent of Phillips
county and who has had considerable
success in getting rid of jack rabbits
with poison bait. Rabbits tend to
flock together in large bands in the
winter and thus they are more easily
! located. If the feeding grounds can
be located the work becomes still cas-
ier and often feeding grounds can be
established where desired by putting
out a little clean, fresh alfalfa hay
for several nights before poisoning
starts. Fenced alfalfa or grain stacks,
where rabbits are accustomed to
feeding, make good poisoning
grounds.
Stormy, windy nights are not fav-
orable for poisoning work because
rabbits stay in their shelters at such
times. Considering that the poisons
used to kill jack rabbits will also
kill humans and other animals, Mr..
Lantz says that every possible pre-
caution be taken against mishaps.
All poison containers and all utensils
used in the preparation of poison
should be kept plainly labeled and
out of reach of children, irresponsi-
BILE persons and live stock. Follow
ing are some of the poison bats and
directions for making them.
Poisoned Alfalfa and Grain
Dissolve one ounce of strychnine
sulphate and small cupful of salt
in six quarts of hot water and sprin-
kle over ten pounds of clean alfalfa
hay leaves. Mix the leaves thor
oughly until all the moisture is abb
sorbed Place the bats, small
where the rabbits are known
to be feeding, and in the rabbit run.
In localities where alfalfa is not rails
ed, grain heads such as wheat, rye
or oats are satisfactory substitutes. |
Use ten pounds of heads in place of |
the alfalfa leaves. Grain heads cut |
and cured during the dough stage |
are more palatable and attractive to
the rabbits. Heads should be cut |
close to the kernels SO as to leave
as little stem as possible. If strych-
nine sulphate is not available, strych-
nine alkaloid may be used; however,
in this case it will be necessary to
use one quart of vinegar and five
Quarts of water to obtain equally
good results.
Sheaf Methods
Small bundles of grain or alfalfa
nay be dipped into a solution made
~ dissolving one ounce of strychnine
ulphate and a small cupful of table
alt in six quarts of hot water. Oats
|
erred. If strychnine akaloid is used
ubstitute one quart of vinegar for
ne quart of water. After the bum
les are we'll saturated with the poi
on solution, they are propped up
nth sticks where jack rabbits are
nown to congregate at night. This
lethod has proven very successful
1 northeastern Montana.
Poisoned Oats
First, measure twelve quarts of
lean, heavy oats into tub or tight
OK. Second, mix one ounce of
,rychnine powdered alkaloid) and
ne ounce of baking soda together,
ry. Third, prepare starch paste
Y dissolying one tablespoonful of
.undry starch in one-half cup of
I'D water and then stir this into
le pint of boiling water. Boil and
ir until clear thin paste is formed.
Ourth, add the strychnine-soda mix
re slowly to the hot starch, stirring z
Id beating until a smooth creamy =
Iste, free from Jumps, is formed. IL
fth, pour the hot mixture over the II
is and mix until there are no dry II
rnels remaining. Sixth, sift a tea
p of table salt over the bait and
tx again. Use a large teaspoonful
r each bait. Each quart should II
axe rs or 80 bats.
Summer Poisoning With Salt
When rabbits are feeding on sue
lent green crops such as growing
ain and alfalfa, there is craving II
r salt. Poisoned salt has been a
~ successful method of getting rid II
jack rabbits during summer
onths. Mix thoroughly one ounce
powdered strychnine (preferably II
zaloid) with eight ounces of table
It. Place a tablespoonful in a place
Iere rabbits are Likely to find it. A
cd way to expose the salt is by
icing it in holes about an inch in
lmeter bored in a piece of two-by-
IT.