Time to Ban M-44 Cyanide Bombs on Public Lands
For years Predator Defense, a national organization, has been seeking to enact a ban on cyanide M-44 bombs used to kill predators like coyotes. They may be on the verge of success. Two bills to ban M-44s on all public lands were introduced into Congress. H.R. 4951 by Rep. Peter DeFazio (D) and S, 4584 by Sen. Jeff Merkley (D), both from Oregon.
Cyanide M-44 bombs contain a powered capsule of cyanide that is in a spring-loaded device that typically has some kind of bait smeared on it. When a coyote, dog, or other animal tugs on the attractant, the cyanide is injected into the animals mouth, releasing hydrogen cyanide gas.
Oregon banned M-44s across the state and the livestock industry is surviving.
As of July 2022 M-44 cyanide bombs are still being used by the government for predator control in 13 states. In Colorado and Wyoming they are only allowed on private land. They are allowed statewide in Nevada, Utah, Montana, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Virginia, and West Virginia.
https://www.counterpunch.org/2022/08/04/time-to-ban-m-44-cyanide-bombs-on-public-lands/