Notice of Hearing on the Application to Use Sodium Fluoroacetate ...

the ground that th? survey (tias inszitut2d 5; 3 res~i: 3f Csnsressicnai
action sponscred by rspr?sentatives <strong>of</strong> ~ e s t statzs ~ r ~ and that its
purposs, that is, to obtain data supporting reversal <strong>of</strong> the decision
suspendi ng and cancell i ng regi strati ons <strong>of</strong> 1080 for grgdator control , Z
was we1 1 known. The resulting pub1 i ci ty and the ehocional cl imaie
surrounding the issue <strong>of</strong> prgdator control arz alizged to qave resulftd
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in exaggerated claims <strong>of</strong> predation ioss2s. ine evid?nce, kowev2r,
does not establish thaz the purpose <strong>of</strong> ihe Gee survey was ca ab~ain
reregi s~ration <strong>of</strong> 1080. Even if this was, the puroose or' :he survey,
there is no evidence-that this a1 leged purpose xas kncem ta produc2rs '
or pub1 i ci zed outside <strong>of</strong> ',{ashi ngxon.
7. Enphasi s has been ??aced on rne di ff'c~l~ies enc~~nwred by ?rgcucers
in accurately detzmining the causes ~i deaths o? sheep and iambs.
Xhile it is true, for example, thac most ranchers would have great
difficulty in distinguishing deaths caused by disease from tho82 causzd
by poisonous plants, experienced ranchers have little or no difficulty
in determining predator Ioss2s, if the rerains are found within a
reasonable time after the kill. Teeth or fang marks, indications <strong>of</strong>
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flowing blood, bits <strong>of</strong> wool and evidence <strong>of</strong> a struggle are indices <strong>of</strong>
5/ it is recognized that suffocation is the nornal cause <strong>of</strong> death
resulting from coyotes biting the necks or throats <strong>of</strong> shee? and goats
and that accordingly, blood flow may not be extensive.