The Wolf Point herald. (Wolf Point, Mont.) 1913-1940, 1924-03-06
GETTING RID OF
THE JACK RABBITS
(From Montana State ColIege)

A BOUT the best time to kill Jack
IA rabbits, in those sections of
IA 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-
Ter 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 T some of the poison bats and
directions for making them.
Poisoned Alfalfa and Grain
Dissolve one ounce of ~strychnine
su1phate and a 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
until all the moisture is abb
Place the bats, a small
handful, where the rabbits are known
% be feeding, and in the rabbit run.
N localities where alfalfa is not rails
I'd, grain heads such as wheat, rye ]
)r oats are satisfactory substitutes. |
Use ten pounds of heads in place of
alfalfa leaves. Grain heads cut I
and cured during the dough stage {
ire more palatable and attractive to S
he rabbits. Heads should be cut ]
to the kernels so as to leave
Is little stem as possible. If strych- I
line sulphate is not available, strych- \
line alkaloid may be used; however, !
n this case it will be necessary to y
one quart of vinegar and five
.uarts of water to obtain equally
God results. n
Sheaf Methods !;
Small bundles of grain or alfalfa
nay be dipped into a solution made :
y dissolving n ounce of strychnine r
ulphate and a small cupful of table
alt in six quarts of hot water. Oats
ut green or alfalfa bundles are pre-
erred. If strychnine akaloid is used
ubstitute m quart of vinegar for j.
ne quart of water. After the bun
les are we'll saturated with the poi
on solution, they are propped up
18th sticks where jack rabbits are
nown to congregate at night. This
lethod has proven very successful
northeastern Montana.
Poisoned Oats
First, measure twelve quarts Of
lean, heavy oats into a tub or tight
Second, mix one ounce of
.rychnine powdered alkaloid) and
ne ounce of baking soda together,
ry. Third, prepare a starch paste Il
Y dissolving one tablespoonful of
.undry starch in one-half cup of =
I'D water and then stir this into q
ne pint of boiling water. Boil and &
ir until a clear thin paste is formed.
ourth, add the strychnine-soda mix :!
ire slowly to the hot starch, stirring "a
beating until a smooth creamy -
tste, free from Jumps, is formed. -
fifth, pour the hot mixture owe the
It's and mix until there are no dry ,
remaining. Sixth, sift a tea
p of table salt over the bait and
again. Use a large te%aspoonful
r each bait. Each quart should 4
AXE Is or 80 bats.
Summer Poisoning With Salt Y
When rabbits are feeding on sue =
lent green crops such as growing
ain and alfalfa, there is a craving
salt. Poisoned salt has been a =
ry successful method of getting rid =
jack rabbits during summer 4
Mix thoroughly one ounce
powdered ~strychnine preferably
with eight ounces of table
t. Place a tablespoonful in a place
ERE rabbits are Likely to find it. A
cd way to expose the salt is by
.cing 1t in holes about an inch in
Lmeter bored in a piece of two-by-
IT.