The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1924-02-29
MADISON COUNTY
FIGHTS MACPIES
(From Montana state CoIIege)

FARMERS, cattle men and sports
- men have Joined forces in Madi-
e. son county for the destruction OF
their common enemy, the maybe, ac-
cording to H. N. Kaufman, county
agent. The bird appears to have be-
/ come an outcast from good bird So
ciety, and the hand of man has been
raised against him. He is charged
with causing serious losses to stock
men at branding time in the spring
| by obliterating brands and eating
holes in the sides of the cattle.
Where the birds are numerous
farmers claim that chicken raising
may as well be abandoned because
of the high mortality occasioned
among the chicks and the destruc-
ton of eggs. Sportsmen have join
ed in the hunt because it appears the
maybe is especially partial to the
eggs and young of game birds. Thus
it happens that in Madison county
last year some 10000 magpies were
killed in the various campaigns wag-
ed for their destruction.
There have been two general types
of campaign carried on against the
maybe in Madison county. One is
to kill the bird with poison bait and
the other is to destroy the eggs. Con-
siderable success has attended both
methods. 1t was found that poison
ing is best carried on in the winter
when other feed for the bird is scarce.
The poison bait used consisted of a
quarter ounce of strychnine thor
oughly mixed with two quarts of
melted tallow and lard, the tallow
and lard being used in about equal
A little hood from a |
beef or hog makes the bait more
Every possible precaution |
must be used in mixing the bait and |
in placing it as it is a deadly poison. |
1t is best to place the bait in holes |
on the tops of barns and fence posts
and other high places where magpies
frequently light, but out of reach of
other animals. The use of meat as
a carrying agent for the strychnine'
Is cautioned against because it is like
" to be dropped in places where dogs
Or other animals may get it. Mag
pies that have eaten of the bait usu-
lilly will die within hundred yards
If the spot where the bait is located
ind it is necessary to remove the
lead bodies so that other magpies
will not be scared off.
An effective and desirable method
If control of magpies lies in the per-
istent destruction of the eggs, adj
Uses Mr.. Kaufman. The success of
his method of control depends very
argely upon the amount of enthus-
asm that can be stirred up among
he young people as the work of 10
off ic
cry largely boys job In Madison
ounty bounty of a cent each for
ggs and young magpies was offered.
his effort cost the community farm
ureaus and the Twin Bridges rod
nd gun club, which organizations
ffered the bounty, sixty dollars, dur
ng the season of 1928 and accounted
or 5000 magpies. The Sheridan
cd and gun club joined in the effort | H
nd offered prizes to the boys bring
lg in the greatest number of mag
les and eggs. Approximately 1000 :
lagpies were destroyed as a result of
MS contest at a cost of $50 for pre-
liums.
Mr.. Kaufman suggests that COM
lunities troubled with the magpie
ill find both methods of control
orth trying and that if followed con-
silently the trouble can be very eff
actively handled. It is advisable to
Sc every caution to prevent soaring
If magpies when the campaigns are =
n, and, since the bird is very sus- :
cious, this will require considerable 4
ire. 1t was noticed in Madison Il
,unty that birds that were scared
# during the egg gathering season, B
IMPLY moved on to other places, n
Tilt new nest and raised second
'ood of young. The members of the
cond brood appeared on the scene 4
ter the campaign was over and thus
capped.