trappenjoe,
I do understand the problems ranchers face with wild dogs and the pets that people let run loose. These dogs take a heavy toll on stock and should be shot whenever caught running stock. I grew up in just this kind of area. What I am talking about is the indiscriminate use by these ranchers on public land(BLM) that borders their property. They scatter these guns around, not only on their land but bordering land, which kill animals other than coyotes and dogs. I have found bobcats, raccoons, etc. and even two Black Bear cubs that were killed by these guns.
Public land is where my dog(s) got into the cyanide guns. When I lost my first dog to a cyanide gun I went on a vendetta and hunted cyanide guns. Every one I found on public land I would trip and then smash with a hammer and leave it where I found it. Maybe I was wrong for doing it but to an 11 year old that just watched his dog die a horrible death(and it IS a horrible death - watch an animal die because of being poisoned and there is nothing humane about it), it did make me feel somewhat better.
Many people would not believe the number of wild dogs running loose in farming areas. Especially the areas where you find recreational sports like water skiing and such. Summer residents move their families up to these areas and let them have a dog that they know they can't take home with them at the end of summer. So what do they do is before they leave they drive out into the ranching areas and dump the dog where some nice rancher will give it a home. As a teen I made money bounty hunting wild dogs, coyotes and whatever critter that was killing off stock. In fact my first car(jeep CJ6) was paid for with the money I made bounty hunting.
Sorry for getting on my soapbox and I am not jumping you personally, it's just that cyanide guns brings up a very, very sore subject. Please take no offence. Lawdog
